AnswerID: 186486 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 01, 2006 at 12:22
Bilbo
replied:
Gentlemen, gentlemen,
There IS clutch adjustment on a 1999 GU Nissan - or any other Nissan car. Have a look under the dashboard at the clutch pedal. You'll see a pushrod that goes from the pedal to the back of the clutch master cylinder. The push rod has a locknut on it and part of of the rod is knurled.
To adjust it, slacken the lock nut and turn the pushrod in (or out) of the clutch pedal yoke. It is a very fine adjustment. When I recently had the Chev V8 fitted to my GU, the clutch dragged something shocking. I turned the pushrod, as above, for about 7/8 of a full turn and now the clutch releases perfectly and I can now change gear without a crunch!
The pedal adjustment should be done so that there is a minimum of free play at the pedal - say about 3/4 inch maximum - before the clutch spring/hydraulic pressure is felt.
However, if you already have free play at the pedal, it could be that the clutch pressure plate is worn out and has lost it's ability to hold the pressure on the clutch driven plate. If that's the case, then no amount of any type of adjustment will cure it. It's a new clutch I'm afraid.
But try and back off the pushrod if there's no free play in the pedal first.
Shorten the pushrod to reduce clutch slip and lengthen it reduce clutch drag. The latter is the term used when a clutch does fully release and causes difficult gear changes. Be careful, it doesn't take much turning to have a big effect. Plus, it's not easy access to
the nut and knurled pushrod - lie on yer back upside down to do it. Use a 12 mm open ended spanner and a pair of long nose pliers on the rod. But, you can turn the rod with yer fingers if it's not too tight
DO NOT whatever you do, slacken the clutch master cylinder retaining bolts on the firewall in order to get some free play at the pedal. This will result in you snapping the master cylinder aluminium casting completely. Believe me, I've done it! I once forgot to fully tighten these on my old Ford Zodiac back in the UK years ago, and bingo, half way home the master cylinder snapped off the firewall. No clutch at al.
Bilbo
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