2014 Q60/G37
Clutch is done, I can barely clutch to shift. The section that 'bites' when you press down is like at the floor of the clutch, and then there's almost no pressure when release the clutch. On 6th gear, going at high speeds and then needing to clutch makes the clutch stay stuck at the bottom and I have to physically lift it with my foot.

What do I need to replace? Go OEM or Z1 parts? Is the transmission damaged? Any reputable places in SE Florida?

Thanks!

 

This doesn't sound like a problem with the clutch, it sounds like a problem with either the clutch master cylinder (CMC), or clutch slave cylinder (CSC). If your clutch was bad, you would be experiencing slipping - when you're in gear and floor it and it revs higher and then catches and settles back down to the normal rpm level. I'm guessing either your CMC or CSC is going bad and needs to be replaced. Probably your CMC, which is a lot easier to replace, thankfully, as you don't need to drop the transmission. The CMC isn't the easiest thing to replace, but it's not too bad.

Another possibility is that you just need to bleed your CMC and CSC, but that should only be the problem if you recently worked on one or both which allowed air to be introduced to the system.

 

OH WOW thank you so much for that info, by your description it does not sound like my clutch is slipping. One thing I would like to add is that sometimes on cold weather it seems to make using the clutch worse. Also having the A/C on (on 75f weather) it seems to make it better as in it has better pressure. Lastly, shifting at higher RPM's makes it a little better as well.

Now to watch CMC and CSC replacement videos.

 

I don't have the details, but I believe CSC replacement involves dropping the transmission for access. The part itself is inexpensive, however it's a full day of labor hours. Mine was replaced under warranty about 10 years ago. Still less drama than a clutch replacement, though, so there's that. GL

While researching the CSC, consider aftermarket replacement where the unit is moved outside the bell housing.

I read that the new Z uses an external design. Only took Nissan a few decades to get on board with a better solution.

 

CMC= Clutch Master Cylinder= Clutch pedal.
CSC= Clutch Slave Cylinder= transmission input shaft.

To replace the CSC, the transmission will have to be dropped. No exceptions. I just did not too long ago on another vehicle (total PITA- I'm getting too old). Depending on the age/ condition of the existing clutch, you may need/ want to replace everything while the transmission is already down. A reputable transmission shop should be able to knock it out in a day. CSC relocation kits are a definite possibility.
Better late than never. I mean, another decade and manuals will be extinct anyway....

 

Thanks for the info, I'll post a follow up once I get this done. I'm also wanting to have the engine/transmission mount replaced as well along with this job.

 

My build thread has notes on the CSC replacement (it's a slave cyl integrated into a throwout bearing) and doing clutch and flywheel at the same time, with labor and parts costs comparison.

For my trans mount, I had the dealer check it while doing the work and they said it was OK. I notice no unusual NVH that can't be traced to the loud exhaust, so I'm inclined to trust them on that.

 

Is there a problem with your transmission mount, or are you lookup to swap that out for something polyurethane?

If the latter, go into that with an open mind, because lots of people freak out with the NVH and swap the OEM mount back in.

 

Well my car kinda rocks back-forward with moderate/heavy acceleration/breaking, not really smooth like it was. I also hear metal on metal contact when I first start moving, or stop (almost like if a bolt was no tighten all the way and something could rock a little). With the research I did I came to the conclusion of the mounts, and the NVH you mentioned with the new mounts was mainly an issue while at a stop. I'm looking to make the car feel great and sturdy, some vibration at a stop would proooobably be ok. I just pushed the order for these, do let me know if I've made a mistake.

1x Z1 370Z/G37/Q50/Q60/R35 Urethane Motor Mounts
1x Z1 Motorsports 370Z / G37 Urethane Transmission Mount
1x Z1 Urethane Rear Differential Bushing Set

The original issue, the clutch, I'm thinking on either taking it somewhere with the parts, or just let the shop examine it and order w.e is needed and I'll just weep later.
Both from advance.
CSC
CMC

 

Polyurethane motor mounts and poly diff bushings are a great upgrade. I'd recommend doing those first, and then reasses whether or not to swap the transmission mount. The tran mount is an easy job for a mechanic with the car on the lift. The other two are not. If you're paying for shop time, those two projects will hurt.

 

FWIW, any mechanical system needs *some* slop or things will start to break/bend - or even just wear out prematurely like U-joints. The rear diff mounts in poly are great, but that's with the engine and trans mount points being flexible still. Good luck with the replacements - I hope you don't decide they're too much and have to redo them with OEM ones.

If you are doing the slave (CSC) you REALLY should examine the clutch disk, flywheel, and pressure plate - the labor cost there is to remove the transmission (and exhaust etc that is in the way). IIRC, labor on mine was like $1400. Whether or not I changed the clutch.

If you want to stick with stock, PM me - you can have my used units for the cost of shipping. All are perfectly usable (although I would replace the friction disk just because) but the flywheel and pressure plate are fine. I took the opportunity to upgrade, with a ZSpeed clutch set and lightweight flywheel, but :shrug: that's personal choice - it wasn't strictly *needed* on my car. (the CSC on the other hand was dead AF).

 

@Rochester Yea, I saw some videos and the transmission mount was super easy. I just cancelled the transmission mount, I'll take your advice and re-asses after the motor mount and differential bushing replacement.
@rotarymike Makes sense, I appreciate the offer, I'll get back to you once I confirm if the CSC needs to be replaced (hope not).

 

Estimates and actuals will vary, but I just looked back into my records for when I had Z1 motor mounts installed back in 2019. The shop estimated it at four to eight hours, and the technician came in at four hours, which was fair, IMO. At $110/hour plus tax, that was $475.

I can't speak to the rear diff bushings. Those I bundled in with a gear swap project, so I don't know how much it would have been on its own. I'm guessing three to four hours, because removing that main bushing is a pain.

Whereas the transmission mount was under an hour on the lift, easy job... for a mechanic with proper tools and a lift.

You know, I think the Z1 motor mounts are height adjustable, which isn't something I considered going into it. When the job was done, the engine sat 1/2" lower in the engine bay than before. I know this because of the gap between my front tower brace and the engine cover.

FWIW, I just remembered that I'd created a thread for my experience with the motor mounts: https://www.myg37.com/forums/drivetr...6mt-sedan.html

 

if you haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet I'd recommend the zspeed stage 2 kit with billet steel flywheel and sprung organic full faced clutch disk with the CSC elimination kit. It converts the clutch to a fork system which separates the slave cylinder and throwout bearing. Cheaper to get the slave cylinder changed after the fact when its sitting on the outside of the bell housing, and probably far less heat gets to it. Up in Canada the quote to get the OEM setup in was almost as much as the zspeed setup, surprisingly.

I've been running the kit for a little over a year now and I like the daily driving feel of it over stock. The initial pedal feel was pretty stiff but it mellowed out a lot fairly quickly. I think an RJM pedal assy would help a lot, but I'm interested in other mods :P

 

+1 on most of that. Zspeed stage 2, light steel fw, but I opted for the zspeed heavy duty CSC.

cost details and 500 mile review on my build thread.