2002 Maxima SE - Not sure if this has been this way all along and I've never noticed or if its new. When I first step on the clutch, I can feel vibration in the clutch pedal within about the first third of pedal travel. The "vibration" is really more like feeling something rotating. Car shifts fine and there is no slipping.
Anyone notice this on their 5th gens? I've been driving manuals for 21 years, so I don't think its abuse or technique. Car is out of bumper to bumper warrranty period based on time but has only 28K. If this is a problem, should a mechanical defect be covered under the 5 yr/60K powertrain warranty?
Sounds like your seals are worn out. Bad seals don't allow the fluid pressure to keep the clutch packs engaged fully which does not transmit the rotational power. It feels like a slipping manual clutch but when you rev it up, the pressure builds and then the clutch pack engages, but then slips as the pressure bleeds off. You can pour in a can of that tranny fluid conditioner which has some kind of methyl ethyl ketone chemical that swells the rubber seals. It'll help for awhile but it won't be long until you be standin' still!!! Mine cost me
though i had no idea on the precise diagnosis, i've been planning on the car kicking for about twelve thousand miles anyway. i would rather spend 6 or 7k for a new civic/corolla/sentra than have a rebuild. i'm about to start law school, so i need to have a car that i can rely on for the next three years without problems. anyone here ever drive a sentra? worth a damn?
1) Wheel shimmys at 30mph+ speeds when braking at any pressure.
2) I do have that pulsating in a way where I apply steady brake pressure, and the car does not come to a smooth stop. It's a little hard to explain, but with constant pressure the car doesnt brake evenly. It brakes in a straight line, but you feel the car brake a little harder - then less - then harder - then less - when I apply constant brake pressure coming to a stop from like 35mph. It's nothing overly dramatic and perhaps not even noticable to the passenger(s), but it's definately noticable to the driver.
The struts (or the strut mounts - whatever the problem is) is more of an annoying sound than anytihng else. I had my share of annoying sounds with my '01 VW, so I just don't feel like hearing them anymore. :)
Move the tires around on the car - if the 'shimmy' is reduced or gone but the 'pulsation' is still there you have at least 2 problems - bad tire(s) and 'warped' (probably heat damaged) rotor(s).
Any one with a 4th generation Maxima had had work done to repair the torque converter clutch in their auto tranny? The SEL came on and I read the code, then cleared the code. It has come on several months ago. It was cleared then also. No drive-ability issue exist yet, but I would like to know what is involved in having this repaired eventually.
Ok, of all you Maxima owners out there how many own a standard and how many an auto? I am considering buying one and initially wanted the 6 spd standard but it is hard to find. Most of them seem to be auto. Should I just go with an auto? I like the standards just because they make it a bit more fun to drive.
I don't know anyone that owns a new Sentra, but I did own a 94 Sentra (5 speed manual) prior to buying my Max last fall, and I can tell you that it was absolutely reliable. In fact, I think very few economy cars could ever come close to it for durability, reliablility and low cost of ownership. Other people that I know personally, who had the same generation of Sentra, also share my sentiments. I can only hope that Nissan has been able to maintain that standard of quality with the current line of Setras.
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