Very new to the Maxima forums so bare with me. I currently work at a salvage yard and we just got in an 02 Maxima 6 speed. Very clean car and I can get it for $600. Obviously my first assumption would be that the clutch is totally fried, but wanted some feedback from the guys who mess with the Maximas regularly. Just an FYI I did verify that the slave cylinder is pushing on the clutch fork. Fluid is in the master cylinder and clutch pedal has pressure and actually feels pretty decent. If i were to hop in the car without it started I would not think anything was up with the clutch pedal. Car can be put in any gear without putting in the clutch, once in gear it does not have any response. No clutch smell. Please see my attachments maybe that will help you, I THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!!!

**Atachments will not upload, I will be more than happy to email or text you the videos of my problem****

 

When the clutch started going on my car, some of the symptoms were just like what you are experiencing. Clutch felt very heavy too when it was on its last legs. When my mechanic replaced it, he said the clutch material was so far gone he was surprised I could even get it to engage at all. Once I got the new clutch in the engagement was a soft as butter.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAHNHOF-STAGE-1-CLUTCH-KIT-FITS-2002-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-MAXIMA-3-5L-DOHC-V6-/171285224274?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e1651b52&vxp=mtr

 

If it's a pretty decent car I'd just take it to a shop and have it fixed right. You got a steal for $600, if the car is in otherwise good condition. How many miles does it have, is it cloth or leather?

 

I'd just do it myself and have it fixed right rather than having a random "mechanic" tell me I need a new engine or transmission.

 

On a side note, my car seems to have a problem with going into 2nd some times. Could this also be a sign of a bad clutch. The car has 173k on it.

 

$600 car. Pull the trans, find your problem.

If your hydraulics were messed up, you wouldn't be able to get into gear while the engine was running.

If you can put it in gear while running and the car won't move, it's down the line from the engine, so clutch or transmission.

When you have the trans out, you can put it in a gear and turn the input shaft to see if the transmission is transferring torque. If it is, then replace the clutch. Actually, replace the clutch anyways, you're already in there...

Worst case you need a trans and clutch. So you're out 1k or less.

This is pretty basic dude. Great cars for <1600 bucks. I'd fix it, and resell it if you don't like it - make some money. If it's clean you could probably double your money pretty quick.

 

When you say that it is in gear and does not have any response, I assume that you mean that the car is started and it will not move...correct?

I would look in between the firewall and tranny and look for two shifter rods that go to the transmission. Are they connected properly? Also check to see that they are sitting in the bracket/holder (can't think of what to call the damn thing) that is attached to the tranny.

 

I did get a chance t get out and look at the shift cables, they were moving and looked to be in place just fine. When inside the car it also gives that feel of it actually going into a gear(kinda like when the car is turned off).

Could somebody send me a link, if there is one, for torque specs on the car? Mainly im looking for the clutch pressure plate torque as well as the flywheel, and tranny to block bolts. Thanks again.

 

Download your factory service manual from here;

http://www.boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/

 

clutches are so simple that any decent mechanic can diagnose them and there not really vehicle specific.


a worn disc will not keep you from going into gear while engine is running.. only pressure plate , throw out bearing or hydraulic issue will do that. or even a throw out bearing for that is out of place..





my 02 had a bad throw out bearing and when running I couldn't get into 1st and it chirped real loud.