Can't get into gear after clutch change
 

Hey guys,

Just picked up my car at the shop where they put in a JWT clutch and flywheel as well as a Zspeed HD CSC. Car drove okay when I picked it up then it got progressively harder to get into gear. I had to really slam and force it into gear close to home and now it won't go into gear at all when the engine is on. Any idea what's going on?

Sounds like an issue with the CSC. Check it for fluid and if it's bleed properly.

They did say that they spent like 6 hours trying to bleed the CSC and no fluid came out...

That's a good sign of an issue!

100% the issue. Sounds like it might be leaking somewhere if it was getting progressively harder to drive. When I bled new fluid into my CSC, the only was to do it was with a vacuum bleeder, which was free rental from an auto store. When I tried gravity bleeding, it would not bleed correctly and I couldn't get the car into gear. Clutch pedal would stick to the floor as well, or be very easy to push.

Well, thanks guys. I'll need to tow it to the shop and have them redo it.

Just out of curiosity, did you/they replace your clutch master cylinder at the same time?

^ +1. should always do both at the same time. hydraulic system works together so if one part is failing or gets replaced it is wise to do the other part, combined with a fluid bleed.

No they didn't actually. They had the part but then told me my master was fine and was not leaking. I will probably have them install it and see if that will help.

Had the same issue with my 07 350Z. You are definitely going to have to change your master cylinder. I went with a wilwood setup and did stainless steel lines.

So nobody considered the warning clearly stated on the Zspeed webpage:

"We highly recommend the CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER be replaced along with the HD slave cylinder to prevent problems from worn/dirty original units. No warranty is offered if master cylinder is not replaced."

ZSpeed Performance Replacment HD Clutch CSC Heavy Duty Slave Cylinder Kit


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Got the car back today, it drives well. Moral of the story: change your master the same time you change the slave.

One question: Is slow acceleration normal after a new clutch install? Car bogs when you gas it in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gear.

No, not necessarily. Is the clutch slipping( motor revs, but not accelerating) or is the motor truly bogging (gas pedal depressed, motor slow to rev and not accelerating) ?

It is possible that who ever worked on the car was sloppy and got some contamination on the clutch disc/pressure plate/flywheel causing some slippage. It also is not a good idea to go out and tear it up right off the bat on a new clutch. Like brakes, they usually appreciate some break-in period.

Clutch is slipping. It shudders letting off at low rpm. My mechanic friend test drove it and said they didn't line up the clutch properly.