I have a 2003 Pathfinder SE with 104,000 Kms (64,000 miles) on it and
I'm experiencing some strange clutch noise.

When the vehicle is cold, if you depress the clutch there is a strange
noise that could be described as: whirring, vibration, groaning. Not
grinding. Not squealing.

The noise goes away after about 10 minutes of city driving. Also, it
seems to be more prevalent the day after the vehicle has been driven a
long distance on the highway Ex: 200-400Km (120-240 Miles).

The noise can be heard with clutch depressed while the transmission is
in neutral or shifted into any gear, except 4th. In 4th gear position,
the noise stops, but starts again if shift placed into another
position, like second. Clutch depressed the whole time (were not
moving).

I had it to the dealer for a listen and they seem to think it is a
transmission, not clutch, problem. Their reasoning being that if it
was a clutch problem, the gear selection position would not matter.

Granted, I'm no mechanic but I'm not sure about their diagnosis.
Everything I've researched points to either a release/throwout bearing
or pilot bushing problem.

I don't want to go through tranny replacement if that's not the problem.

Any thoughts?

--
Kevin Powick

Probably the throw-out bearing. Could also be the pilot shaft bearing.
With the number of miles you have, it's tough to say -- neither part
should be bad. Either way, the transmission would have to be pulled for
a true diagnosis. I know of a great transmission repair shop in central
Ohio if you're near to the region.

Have you ever had the transmission fluid changed? That is a maintenance
item on Nissan manual transmissions. The first thing I would do is get
the transmission fluid changed, and I would go with a RedLine synthetic.

That's what I thought, but I guess it's not unheard of at that mileage.


Unfortunately I'm not. Plus I think this will be done under warranty.
I just want them to get it right. I suppose once the tranny is pulled
they'll physically be able to see what is causing the problem?


Yes. It was done at the 95,000km service point.

Thanks for your reply.

--
Kevin Powick

Interesting in that it happened within 5,000 KM of a tranny service. I wonder what else they did / forgot to do! What kind of oil did they use? Nissan type?

No idea.

--
Kevin Powick

It does sound like a throwout bearing (my '01 with 95K is doing the same thing).

But it has nothing to do with changing tranny fluid (throwout bearing runs in air).
Or anything else that would have been done at the service. Throwout bearings are
fire and forget. Replace if you do the clutch because they are cheap and you are
there.

I thought '02 was the last year for PF sticks.

LONG LIVE STICK SHIFTS!

True, but riding the clutch (resting your foot on the pedal while
driving) will definitely kill them. Of course the transmission has to
come out to change it.

You said it! I love driving a stick and they're so hard to find.

I had to change to Nissan because Toyota stopped making the 4Runner
with that option a while ago too. I had a 1990 4Runner. THAT was a
great truck. Almost 300,000km and did nothing but regular maintenance.
What a rock. Sorry I ever let it go.

It's too bad what's happened to the 4x4/SUV market. Prices driven up
and true "utility" driven down to cater to soccer mom buyers who's
biggest driving obstacles are the speed bumps in the mall parking lot.

Anyway. Still wondering about my clutch problem. I hope when they
pull and inspect it, the problem will be obvious and easy to correct.

--
Kevin Powick

Unfortunately, I'm not the original owner and have only had this truck
for a few weeks. Good thing the dealer looks like they're going to
cover it.

I just want it correctly diagnosed, proof positive, and fixed right the
first and hopefully only time.

--
Kevin Powick

Good luck, the PF is a good overall vehicle, especially with the stick.