Ok mechanical gurus -- Installed this clutch about 25k ago, all other components seem fine (flywheel, pressure plate, TO bearing, release fork) but area that holds springs in disc has been torn apart.

Car has shuddered when clutch partially engaged for last year or so, no other driving symptoms until recently when it became permanently engaged (prompting this repair).

What could cause this?

 

What kind of clutch is that? OEM?

Another member here had that same thing happen to him on his exedy clutch I think.

 

A lot of things can cause that. A cheap clutch, surface not prepped correctly, pedal out of adjustment, riding the clutch.

 

Nissan Key Value junk perhaps?

 

Wow that clutch is dead! Was it a key value clutch? only 25k and its completely worn down!? I'm surprised your flywheel isnt in need of resurfacing.

As stated could be caused by key value clutch, riding the clutch, improperly set grab point. Make sure the next clutch is a quality one.

 

it was an "oem" from partsamerica.com... I'm hoping this is a quality issue like you've suggested. I've been autocrossing, and have taught several people to drive a manual with this car, so it has been stressed.

what sort of surface prepping? flywheel was turned, no grease on it or disc...

 

the springs broke and fell out. its very common on cheep discs. my cousin went through 3 in his 200sx. use quality parts where they matter the most.

 

Don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but what preperations SHOULD be done to the flywheel when changing the clutch?

I will be doing mine soon with the help of a long-time mechanic (he's been a mechanic since he was 18, for 20+ years now,) and we won't be in a shop.

Is it necessary for it to be turned by a machine shop, as this is planned to be a 1-day event since I have to drive everyday unfortunately. I'm willing to bet he knows first hand what to do but just to satisfy my own curiousity I would like to know.

My clutch is on its way out, at 98k on the original clutch, but no slippage/shuddering yet so I'm hoping the flywheel isnt damaged as of yet and should be in ok condition.

 

When you replace a clutch you should always resurface the flywheel and make sure it is clean no grease no dirt etc...

 

As previously mentioned, riding the clutch and other related symptoms. By the looks of the fingers on the pressure plate, riding the clutch was evident by the scoring shown at the tips of the fingers.

Who usually drives this car?

 

those marks are from the throw out bearing which is normal

 

I know it's from the T/O bearing which moves forward and pushes on the fingers when you step on the clutch pedal.

 

from what I have read around, I would say key value as well. I had my clutch replaced not that long ago and it slips and doesn't grab very well when I am accelerating hard. I am looking into getting a 5th gen clutch here soon. Nissan probably sold me a key value and I had no idea. Damn them!

 

5th gen clutch is the way to go if you are not going to boost, I think it grabs much better. That's the set-up I have right now, and have been running on it for about 5 months now, couldn't be much happier.

 

what is this "key value" that you keep mentioning?

and when you say resurface are you maintaining that the flywheel must be machined or can you simply clean the surface with, say for example, sandpaper and clean it up properly (if it was in good condition to begin with.)

 

Key value = budget OEM part, cheaper but way subpar quality. I think the friction disc on the pressure plate can be removed and resurfaced on a machine. When I did mine, I just bought a new pressure plate since at the time that I changed the clutch, it was at around 140k miles. I figured that its best to change the pressure plate anyway. Now I have piece of mind that all the important parts in there have been replaced and I don't have to worry about taking down my tranny again for a long while.

 

Resurface means to have the surface machined. Your flywheel surface tend to get uneven and get hot spot due to the heat. so you need to resurface it to make sure that it is totally even and smooth. then when you install it you should clean the surface with some brake cleaner to be sure you didnt leave any greasey finger prints and any other junk that could have gotten on it during install.

 

has anyone taken their flywheel to be surfaced? Like took the flywheel out of the car and take it to the dealer or a shop.

How long did it take them to resurface it.

 

I did.....the machine shop down the street from my buddy's shop took about 2 hours to do it. From what I was told, the machine doesn't just do one pass like it would on a disc brake rotor. The operation is more complex and takes a long time. Cost of job, $25.

 

beautiful thats the info I was in search for. Planning time for my tranny swap and will want my flywheel resurfaced, plus want tog et it done in a weekend without. Only $25? Good price!

 

My local NAPA has a machine shop, they did mine in one day for about $30... 25k miles later the resurfacing marks are still on the flywheel so I don't intend to do it again now.