Just wondering if people here replace their clutch when they feel it slipping, or just on the dealer's advice? Anyway, my story is this: Been driving manual tranny cars for 16 years. Recently, clutch started making a slight "creaking" noise when engaging/disengaging--almost like opening/closing a creaky door in your house. Clutch performance hasn't been affected though. Took the G into the dealership today, at 55K miles, thinking it may be pedal-assembly related, as the "creak" is reverberated through the pedal. Dealer calls me back and says that my clutch is worn--$1800 to replace!! He said it's "normal" for clutches to go at 50K miles--I call BS, based on my own experience with manual trannies--unless the G35's clutch really is that unreliable (In which case I'll trade it in for a TL ). I thought it over and called them back to decline the services for now. I don't believe in changing the clutch over a creaking noise (it's not that bad anyway), and just because they tell me it's worn. My experience has been--a clutch is "worn" when it starts slipping. I had a 95 Maxima that I drove for 120K miles before I had to replace that clutch due to slipping....So, to replace, or not to replace? I lean towards "not" at this point, but just curious to see what others have done in similar situations...

 

Some people have this creaking noise as well and seem to trace the noise to the pedal assembly itself. Lack of lubrication somewhere.

 

well if u are going to trade the car in just because the dealer said u need to replace the clutch the u go ahead and do it. It sounds like u were looking for an "excuse" to trade the car in. 03-04 clutches should last u atleast over 100k if it has NOT been abused. I have been at countless dragstrips canyon runs and plus this was my first car and having 50k on the car the clutch is still running strong. Im not sure why u would take a non warranty issue to a dealer. If they told u they need to replace the clutch just get ur car and get F out of the dealer. Take it to a reputable shop and have them take a look at it.

*** it just trade it in for a TL.

 

Maybe my post came across wrong....I love my G35, and I intend to keep it til it dies. What I was saying was that if indeed the clutch does start slipping in the near future (and no--not just on the dealer's advice), I would have a problem keeping it. As it is, it's not slipping on me, so I'm keeping it....

If it was the pedal assembly (or if the throw-out bearing just needed to be lubed), it WOULD be covered under warranty. So can you see now why it was possibly a warranty issue?

Very constructive statement. Thank you...

 

It was NOT Very constructive statement, Sorry.


The one thing that i have noticed about dealerships is threatening them with legal issues or getting corporate numbers help everything go much smoother.

 

I'm not even expecting mine to reach 50k because

A) 60+ drag runs and counting + weekly abuse
B) I plan on getting a performance clutch before 50K is even in sight

.

 

Hey--no problem Klubb. I can see how my statement could've been misconstrued as G35-bashing....Anyway, guess what I really am trying to find out from this thread is: Who here has ignored the dealer's recommendation to change their clutch (when functionally it seems fine), and if you did ignore the dealership's advice, how has your clutch been since?

Just picked up my car, and the noise miraculously disappeared... The dealer's statement regarding my creaky clutch noise was this:

Cust states clutch is making a creaking noise when depressed. Advise.
From outside of car clutch pivot has debris on it from worn clutch--birds nest in Bell housing. Client declines repair.

"Birds nest"??? WTF???

 

Glad it worked out for u. Just be agressive in the future when ur car enters the dealer.

 

I got it replaced on dealers advise around 50k. Maybe I didn't need it. But then again I'm paranoid. What I do know is that I love the Nismo flywheel and JWT clutch combo I got. So much easier to revmatch on my downshifts and when I screw up on the rev matching ( which I often do ) I don't get that really harsh jerk. I'm not sure how much clutch material is still a good clutch, but I'm still happy. I have my old clutch still. If someone could tell me how to tell if its good or bad still I'll know if i took good advise or not.

Also, this is the first MT car I've owned, so that could play in part of a short clutch life.

 

I had that creaking noise on my '03 coupe after i tried to teach my sis how to drive mt w/ about 50k miles on it. I took it to my dealer, had them take a look at the clutch, and the creaking disappeared after that. Not sure what they did but i think they just lubed some parts or something (dont remember cuz it's been a while now). They never tried to sell me on a new clutch or anything (which i was expecting). Tustin Infiniti y'all!!

 

why not fallow up the clutch assembly and lube it up yourself?

also if a dealer replaces a part (under customer pay) you can request the part to be given back to you (replaced part) and you can see for yourself that the clutch is worn.. if its not worn then consider the clutch job free as its a loose case against the dealer...

50k sounds about right keep in mind our cars are performance coupes..

btw the way i drive im expecting 30k tops for my clutch

 

I might try following up the assembly and cleaning/lubing it next time it gets noisy again. As for replacing the parts and getting them back, I understand where you're comin' from, but I rather just save the upfront money and wait for the clutch to slip before replacing it, instead of trying to fight them after the fact.

Why such low expectations for your clutch?

 

because the car is driven insanely not to mention track times.. and mostly track times lol

edit: also a dealers job is to recommend a replacement clutch before it starts slipping because slipping clutch = dangerous.. so yeah.. dealer wont try to cheat you by replacing unnecessary parts.. they'll only try to rip you off.. lol

- Eric

 

agincourt infiniti wants $2500 cad to replace it, but i went to my mechanic and he said he would charge me $800. my mechanic test drove it and found out that there is nothing wrong with the clutch.. I've been driving my car for 6 months now and the clutch is still OK. agincourt infiniti is BS

 

Glad to hear that--I need a close mechanic friend too . I'm under the impression my clutch is still OK too. I'm sure the dealer isn't "lying" by saying that the clutch is "worn", as that is what naturally happens to clutches over time. I think it's just not THAT worn that it needs to be replaced....