I have a 2004 G35 coupe, and I am the second owner. Car has 67k miles on it and is 3k miles away from the 6 year 70k drivetrain warranty. I took the car to the dealership last week to have them 'look' at the trans, it has a SLIGHT grind going into 2nd, and then sometimes into 3rd and 5th (6 speed for those not aware) Well they blame it on the clutch. I have NO clue if the clutch has ever been replaced but will say this, that fucker is strong, when it grabs it grabs, no slipping. To me that says nearly new clutch. (I have only owned the car a little over a month)

Question is: With a worn out clutch would it only grind in 3 out of 6 gears? Do worn out clutches grab hard? (only worn out ones I have experienced slipped like crazy) Is Infiniti trying to get out of a warranty repair?

Other info... This car was originally purchased from this dealership (crossroads infiniti) and I got about 10 pages of warranty work and maintenance performed by them (30k 60k ect). There is no where in the paper trail that shows the clutch being replaced. MY only thought was that they want $2600 for a clutch so the previous owner went somewhere else.

My only option is looks like to me is to buy a new clutch, get it installed and see if the problem is fixed before 3k miles. Any other suggestions?

11/16/2009 12:32:24 PM

Quote :

"CLUTCH WON'T RELEASE If the clutch does not release completely when the clutch pedal is fully depressed, the disc will continue to turn the input shaft. This may prevent the driver from shifting the transmission from neutral into gear, cause grinding when the gears are changed, or cause the engine to stall when coming to a stop. A clutch that won't release may have a misadjusted linkage, a broken or stretched release cable, a leaky or defective slave or master clutch cylinder, air in the hydraulic line or cylinders, corroded, damaged or improperly lubricated input shaft splines, a worn pilot bearing/bushing, a worn bearing retainer, bent of worn release fork or pivot ball, bent clutch drive straps, bent or distorted clutch disc, improperly installed clutch disc or clutch, or mismatched clutch components (new installation). Other things that can cause the clutch to drag or not release include heavy gear oil in the transmission that is too thick for cold weather, defective or worn clutch pedal bushings or brackets, or flexing in the firewall or any release component attachment point."

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/bf50332.htm

11/16/2009 12:48:11 PM

They just want yo monies!

[Edited on November 16, 2009 at 12:49 PM. Reason : f]

11/16/2009 12:48:33 PM

tchenku, thanks, but that doesnt answer any question I asked. If I would have said it grinds every gear, that article would be great info.

My clutch releases.

11/16/2009 1:21:39 PM

highly unlikely its the clutch, you would have the most trouble getting it into first or reverse from a stop if it weren't disengaging

sounds like the synchros are going out

11/16/2009 1:26:58 PM

Thats what I was thinking too, and these transmissions are notorious for that.... soooo how do I get the dealership to warranty it without spending the money for a clutch replacement?

11/16/2009 1:31:20 PM

2nd vote on the synchros. Maybe you can get it replaced under warranty.

11/16/2009 2:37:16 PM

take it in again and tell them that it would grind in every gear if it were the clutch or try another dealer.

11/16/2009 3:08:39 PM

Would Nissan warranty this car? Only reason I ask is because the closest other Infiniti dealership is in G'boro.

I dont want to be a dick to the guys at Infiniti because I dont want them to swap the trans and do a half ass job then get out of warranty and be on my own.

11/16/2009 3:18:37 PM

you need to talk to the service manager, if you dont get what you want, you need to call the regional service rep

11/17/2009 3:08:02 PM

^ exactly

they're a dealership...you can be pretty much guaranteed that they are going to spoon-feed you blatant lies and give you the run-around as long as they can to avoid having to do any work to support their product...luxury car or no, they exist to make money and as you've made it clear that you're not the new-car-buying type, you aren't a customer, you're a PITA

go back, tell them you know it's not the clutch because of X/Y/Z and when the service manager refuses to do anything (because he probably will), THEN make it clear that you will be calling the regional service rep with his name and the dealerships unwillingness to help you out under the terms of the warranty

at this point, i would tell them to make notes in the service records that it was brought in and they said that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it's the clutch...get a copy of their assessment and if you STILL get no help from the service manager or regional rep (though you'll probably get something from this), replace the clutch...if the issue continues, call up the regional rep again, tell them you've replaced the clutch and that obviously didn't fix the problem that the service manager promised was the issue and you want them to reimburse you for the repair as well as fix the original problem...no guarantees that will get you anywhere, but at least you have documentation and a trail of phone calls if you want to make their lives hell in the future

11/17/2009 3:15:30 PM

Called the service manager today, I have an appointment to drop the car off Monday night and pick up the loaner. I made it clear to them this time that I have researched the problem and see that it is a very common problem with the 03 - 04 G35 and 350z. They seemed more willing to talk replacement at that point.

I understand at this point I am not a customer but a pita. Later on down the road when I DO buy a new luxury vehicle this service will be something I remember... Up to them on if it is a positive of negative experience for me.

11/17/2009 4:02:16 PM

Quote :

"they're a dealership...you can be pretty much guaranteed that they are going to spoon-feed you blatant lies and give you the run-around as long as they can to avoid having to do any work to support their product..."

They do get paid for warranty work; it's just that they get paid by corporate rather than the customer. I don't know if it is at a lower rate, but I'm sure they still make some money. I don't think they can beat $2600 for a clutch job though. Did their pupils turn into dollar signs and their mouths start to water when they told you that?

p.s., if they replace the transmission make sure they put in a new clutch. No reason not to if the transmission is already coming out of the car. I'd think they would offer to do this for the cost of the part, but who knows.

11/17/2009 4:30:31 PM

yeah I plan on bringing them a clutch and flywheel if they tell me they are replacing the transmission. I will not buy a clutch and flywheel from them. The factory flywheel can not be resurfaced and retails for $1200! I can get an Exedy clutch and lightened chromoly flywheel off Ebay for $600, and they have already told me they would install it.

11/17/2009 8:02:11 PM

Quote :

"They do get paid for warranty work; it's just that they get paid by corporate rather than the customer. I don't know if it is at a lower rate, but I'm sure they still make some money."

well, it's true that i assumed they get less money from corporate reimbursement than from the customer...that might not be true, though

*shrug*

11/18/2009 10:26:05 AM

they don't make shit, the amount of labor allotted for book time on warranty work is rediculously low, there is no way not to lose money on repairs for the dealership

11/18/2009 10:34:15 AM