I agree with alderan. I think the engagement point is too high, the shifter is notchy and the revs "hold" for a bit too long between shifts. I can relate to your "bogging", but sometimes feel like it takes some getting used to rather than a mechanical problem. For me, sometimes it's smooth and sometimes I feel like a newbie driver, head bobbing and all. Makes me miss my rsx-s tranny....would after market clutch, flywheel remedy this issue???

 

OK. Took the car to the dealership today. Got the tech in the car and showed him the insane amount of chatter that this car has in first gear especially going uphill. He agrees and takes the car in for service.

Hours later the service manager calls me and tells me that he just drove it and drove another one on the lot and they both chatter. Thus, he says, it is normal.

I say, "My *** it is normal. It is not normal for a $40k car to have a chattering transmission unless it is made by Jaguar in the mid-80's. If it is, I call that a design defect and I will not drive the car like that."

I now have my sales rep. out driving the car and he will be calling me back in about 1/2 hour. Lets see where this gets me.

Do any of you know if the chattering problem can be cured by swapping out the crappy Nissan clutch? If so, and the dealer is willing to do something like that, I would entertain such a swap.

 

Monkeyboy,

It might be worth a call to Stillen or someone who sells (and possibly installs) aftermarket clutches to get their opinion of your issue and what the effect of installing the aftermarket clutch would be. It would be a shame to get a different clutch only to find out it's something else. They also may have heard of your issue and could offer advice.

 

DV Flyer - That is a good idea.

I just spoke to the dealer. The service manager and my sales rep each drove the car and noticed the chattering. They spoke to the rep I drove with this morning who also noticed the chattering. As Infiniti does not sell to many 6MTs they were going to investigate this problem some more with Nissan (who obviously does sell them) and get back to me tomorrow.

Nissan must sell loads of 350Z's with 6MT. There is no way that this problem would go unnoticed if it were "normal" with that crowd.

Plus, it seems that there are plenty of people on this board who have had no problems with their 6MT's. In my mind further evidence that the "it is normal" deal is BS.

I will wait to see what they come back with before making any other calls.

 

I second your call of BS! I have a 6MT and there is no chatter. My driveway is on and incline. I have never had an issue like you describe. Good luck!!

 

Thanks. I knew these guys are full of it. I don't want to have to go down the Lemon law road. I really like this car and don't want to get out of it. I just want the transmission to work like it should in a $40k car. I don't think that is unreasonable.

 

The verdict is in and Infiniti will do.........




NOTHING


to fix my problem. I am very upset. I stopped buying used cars to get away from stupid crap like this. I am seriously beginning to rethink that strategy.

 

Dude, call Infiniti Customer Service and tell them your story. Demand something be done to fix the problem. Good luck!!!

 

So since they're not going to fix your problem, are you going to start the procedure for lemon law? If so, can you keep this thread updated on your steps? I think it will be helpful for future owners who have issues with the car.

Hopefully, when you get the ball rolling, infiniti will change their mind, but if not, then screw em.

 

Calling Infiniti customer service is a good idea. I will do that.

As for Lemon Law claims, I am going to hold off on that for a bit. I want to see how everything else develops.

Update - Just called Cust. Service. They were of no real help other than suggesting that I speak to another dealership. I am going to take the car back tonight and see where I go from here. I will keep you all posted.

 

Must be a very helpless feeling. Best of luck. I've been through the Lemon Law process (with a 98 C5 Corvette) and although it wasn't fun and the lawyer made more than I did, I would do it again if I had to.

 

Try a different dealer. Or try test driving another car. They might be right. I mean that they all do the same thing. My car does the chatter thing if I don't shift it just right.

 

My 05 6mt also makes a funny noise when in neutrel and when you press in the clutch I can hear what sounds like the throw out bearing engaging and disengaging and the dealership told me it was normal and I told them all but two cars I've owned were manual and I have never heard a transmission make that noise my Toyota pu with 212k on the clock doesn't make any noises like that. But my car has other issues besides the tranny.

 

monkeyboylawyer, i am soo happy that you got your clutch rattling thing fixed. What did you tell them? I need to fix mine also. I thought it was normal but i guess it isnt.

 

This thread goes back a few months but I promised to keep everyone updated on what has been happening with my clutch. I am now at 3400 miles. The entire clutch assembly was replaced at about 800 miles. For a little while it was fine with no chattering or any real slippage.

However, now when I have to start on a hill (steep driveway, at a stoplight etc....) the clutch slips, I can smell it burning and hesitates/bogs as if I am not giving it enough gas.....AGAIN!

I am now going to start the Lemon Law process.

The letter goes in the mail today. I will let you all know what happens.