My car is at 11k miles now and im noticing the clutch is making the squirrel noise again, already had the clutch replaced before by the dealership for that same problem. But thats another issue, whats been annoying lately is how volatile 1st gear is. I hate riding the clutch, but thats what I've been doing to keep the car from rocking violently back and forth at slow speeds, like around 5mph.

Another thing, is first gear setup to reach a much lower speed limit? Seems like I have to shift early in order to not hit a really high rpm, and that gets annoying when im trying to accelerate moderately fast off the line without appearing like im being aggressive. In other words, I can drive slow and smooth, or quick and aggressive with the tires chirping going into second. Should I consider sharpening my shift technique, or is this just the nature of this vehicle's drivetrain?

 

We just had our clutch replaced at 23k miles due to the squirrel noise. The noise did not occur all the time, only when the car was hot and in stop and go traffic. The new clutch is much easier to drive with, not as grabby as the original one. When was yours replaced? Did you get the new one with the different friction material? If you have been riding the clutch to prevent rocking at slow speeds, I think you may have too heavy a foot on the gas. Agreed the old clutch was tough to drive slowly in 1st with the clutch completely out, but I no bucking problems in 1st. Try curling your toes on your right foot to modulate the gas in first, you will find you can drive much smoother in 1st that way. I would take the car back to the dealer again, and get another replacement clutch. Hope this helps....

 

It seems Nissan doesnt make a good manual judging by the problems here and in the 350Z forum.

 

yea the tranny doesnt have that great of a feel to it, notchy shifts and poor transitions between lower gears, oh well it not like i'll drop an auto tranny into it to solve the problem. im thinking an aftermarket clutch and different gearings should improve the whole thing.

my first clutch was replaced around 6k miles and the tech told me the new clutch material would be softer.

 

so you know when we will be getting some aftermarket clutch??

 

yea exedy has one already...

 

CAn you post a link to that site.

 

My clutch is fine after being replaced around 24Kmiles or so. 1st gear let up is much smoother. Not the smoothest of set ups but its much better. Then again this is nto a luxury or sports car so I don;t expect pefect feel for shifts like I would with a 540.

 

now yall see why real men drive automatics...

 

 

real men drive the hard way, using all four limbs
then b!tch and gripe about how tedious it gets

 

 

Isn't they're a TSB for the violent back and forth rocking at slow speed! Call fuell Cut I think!

 

I have no complaints about the clutch or trans on my '03 after 20K miles. Could the '02 problems have been fixed with the '03 or will they just show up later?

 

THe early 02's had a clutch plate with a different friction material which would squeal. They changed the plate on the 03's, and issued a TSB for the 02's.