so i was driving the max today and noticed the clutch pedal has a little more free-play than usual...how much free-play does the clutch pedal supposed to have?....and how do i know when to change my clutch fluid and how do i change it??

 

I've never driven a manual Maxima with the same release point or free-play. Is the clutch working?
Look at the clutch master cylinder driver side of the firewall behind the brake master cylinder. Two marks on the reservoir... MIN and MAX. Fill to max. If it's low, you may have a small leak. If this is the case, proceed to follow the hoses to the slave cylinder on the tranny and replace defective parts.

That is all.

 

I think what's important is that you can tell it doesn't feel like it normally does. I had to bleed my clutch line recently because i lost pressure in the line and the pedal felt like it had tons of play.

Does it feel like goes down alot faster before you feel any resistance when you shift?

 

Wouldn't checking for fluid level drop in the master cyl be the easiest and most accurate way to tell if you lost pressure in the system? Seems more direct than how something 'feels'.

 

the clutch works fine...resistance is fine...yesterday when i drive it there was only maybe a quarter inch of free-play..now its about maybe an inch or more free-play. this is my first manual car and i dont really know how to check stuff yet. but i want to make sure everythings fine before winter. im wanna change my tranny fluid and make sure the clutch fluid and everything is in good shape.

 

Definitely check the amount of fluid in the master cylinder reservoir.

 

well i finally checked my clutch master cylinder and turns out there was no fluid in there at all!! so i added some and now she's A-OK again

 

Cool. Now, check for leaking component and replace or purchase a few gallons of brake fluid and driveway cleaner.

 

I bet your clutch line is leaking!

 

Hi and sorry for jacking your tread but since I can't post...
I bought a 99 SE maxima 3 weeks ago and since I got it when I shift the gears I have to press the clutch hard all the way down and if I do it very slowly its fine othervise I can hear and feel a little grind when it goes in the selected gear, especially its noticeble above 3k RPM. I checked the fluid level and its full to the top, also there are no leaks that I'm avare of. Is the clutch gone or something else is messed up.
Thanks

 

Sounds like the clutch is not fully engaging. Since you aren't losing fluid, you may have a bad slave cylinder. That would be my first guess. Have someone step on the clutch as you watch the movement of the slave cylinder. It should fully extend against the clutch fork without retracting.

 

Guys I aplogize. I am a Junior Member and have no idea how to start a new topic. Here is my Clutch issue...

I noticed for a week now that my Clutch was easier and easier to depress. Last night I go out to the car and I cannot put into gear when car is on. I can put into gear while car is off, start it in that gear, and drive it like an automatic in That gear only. I noticed a big spot of fluid on the street where I park. So my prob is the clutch is very easy to depress and kinda sticks at the bottom and I cannot shift (while car is running) into a gear. I also wonder why (if I start and drive in 3rd gear) that when I slow down the engine does not stall like it usually does when everything is fine (can't come to a complete stop in 3rd gear with a normal clutch.) I have done some research and it could be the Master or Slave Cylinder with the pedal and the clutch disc and/or pressure plate with the shifting issue. Do I need a brand new clutch altogether?
Guys your help is greatly appreciated!!!