I'm sort of stuck and hoping someone has some ideas that might help me.

Since the clutch on my maxima was starting to show signs of wear, I decided to replace it. I've never done anything quite this major on the maxima before, but I thought I could handle it. I got everything off and replaced the friction disk, pressure plate and the throw out bearing without incident. I put the transmission back on and put everything back into the engine bay. I then bled off the clutch line.

To my dismay, everything was not peachy. As soon as I started to release the clutch (to the point where it would normally start to grab), a grinding noise would follow (this is still with the transmission out of gear). As soon as I put the clutch back in, the grinding noise would stop. I tried putting the car in gear and releasing the clutch. I had the exact same result. The grinding sound would start up at the exact same point and no power was getting to the transmission.

I'm not sure what I have done wrong. I followed the instructions Here and in the Haynes repair manual and checked anything that I had doubts on with other material. I used the appropriate clutch alignment tool and made sure that everything was perfectly in place and tightened to spec. Where did I go wrong?

Cliff notes:
1. I swaped out the clutch.
2. The clutch now does not engage but rather makes a grinding noise when the pedal is let out.

 

Did you torque everything to spec.Over tightened flywheel may grind.
Component Torque/Ft. Lbs.

Air Bleeder Screw 4-7

Clutch Cover Assembly Attaching Bolts 16-22

Clutch Interlock Switch Locknut 9-11

Clutch Switch 9-11

Clutch Tube Flare Nuts 11-13

Flywheel Bolts 61-69

Master Cylinder Attaching Nuts 6-8

Master Cylinder Pushrod Locknut 6-8

Pedal Stopper Locknut 12-16

Slave Cylinder Attaching Bolts 22-30

Supply Valve Stopper 12-24 in. lbs

 

Clutch disc in backwards?

Are you certain?

BTW, I never heard that overtightening a flywheel could produce a grinding. Guess anything is possible, it just doesn't seem likely.

 

I used a torque wrench to tighten all the bolts that were essential. I bet installing the clutch disc backwards could make the grinding noises though. I installed the clutch disc as shown in this diagram. The flat side of the clutch disc was facing the flywheel, while the side that protruded away from the disc was facing the transmission. Can anyone confirm that this is the correct placement?

 

Yes, that is correct. Seems like you need to keep looking for other causes.

Sorry I can't help any further, kinda hard when not there in person.

 

Installing the clutch disc backwards WILL make it grind. Might have ruined the new clutch. Sounds like it is in wrong based on the noise as "oldngivout" has already stated. Needs to come back apart. Something is backwards.

 

Throw out bearing in backwards is my guess

 

Well, I guess on my next days off from work, I'll tear it apart and see what I can find. I'll take lots of pics this time, so if things still aren't swell, I have something to refer back to.

I'm pretty sure that the throw out bearing is correct (shiny smooth lip is facing the clutch), but I guess I'll find out soon enough (probably the weekend). Thanks all for the help!

 

How hard was it to get the tranny out? Im needing a new clutch, and with the turbo coming i have no choice. Was it an all day affair, or only a few hours?

 

taking out the trans isn't as bad as some people think.

if you are mechanically tuned and have the tools it's a day job if not less.

 

Just to remove the trans? If you're familiar with the car, it should only take about 45 minutes or so. I've replaced an auto before in about an hour, from up on stands to back down on the ground.

 

sumin in backwards definately.

 

sorry let me rephrase that.

Not just removing the trans but starting by jack up the car to remove the axles and all that other thing.

 

Well, I started taking off the clutch again today and got a unpleasant surprise. I proceeded to drain the transmission fluid and out came a ball bearing and a spring. In addition, the fluid was already quite dirty. What are the chances of a transmission giving out at the exact same time as a clutch replacement?

I'm not really sure what I'm going to do now. Trying to rebuild a transmission sounds daunting to say the least. On the bright side, everything that I did outside the transmission still looks great.

 

Sounds like you tried to drain it through one of the bolts that holds the shift detent ***** in place...

 

Unless you can figure out where that detent ball went, you need to take the tranny to a shop and have them take it apart and make sure nothings broken. I'm not sure how that detent ball would have popped out. Did you drop the tranny or something?