seriously Big problem, please anyone help me

[The Wizard Of Z]

ok so i have a 280 z engine and a 280 z transmission, im not too sure of the years on either one though, i was hoping maybe someone could tell me where to look on either for some sort of number or something, anyways, so the problem im having is an extremely loud rattling sound comming from the tranny, i found out i need a new throw out bearing, the shop also said that i would or at least should also do a new clutch plate and have the fly wheel turned, and something else, im not sure, he said that if your gonna change the throw out bearing you mite as well do everything else, he also said the reason it was worn out was because i have my clutch too tight so it needs to be adjusted, he quoted me for about 500 bucks, 350 for them to do it and then 150 or more for the parts, he says the throw out bearing comes in a kit with a clutch plate and some other things i guess i need, now i have the money to get the parts, the only thing is i have no idea how to change a throw out bearing, tune a clutch to make it tight or loose, or turn a fly wheel, ive never done anything like that, and i need to get this done fast, please if anyone can help me, im begging this web site, i live to far to walk to work and im extremely low on cash, if i loose eithe of my two jobs i cant pay rent and pay off this ticket and ill be screwed, so if theres some sort or step by step forum or if someone can write me one or something, i would really really appriciate it, thank you for all that took the time to read this, this is my site is my last resort.

[Blue Meanie]

Did one 20 years ago on my last Z and quite honestly don't remember much of it (beer, kids, beer, job, beer, wife and beer). But from the memory I do have, the $500 isn't a bad price to replace the throw out bearing, pressure plate, clutch and adjust it.

But as for the budget minded, I do remember the procedure is outlined in the Nissan service manual. That is what I used to do mine back in the 80's. I'd try looking there and also at a Chilton's book on the Z.

[TBK1]

Just did mine yesterday, here you go Ill try to remeber everything but yes the manual is pretty good.

you can get clutch kits NEW off ebay for under $120, got mine local for $90 .

Pull drive shaft,good idea to drain tranny fluid,remove the back up switch wires, remove the speedometr cable, best to remove starter for ease of install, remove the clutch slave cylinder (entire unit easiest).

place a floor jack or tranny jack under tranny remove all 4 bolts holding bell housing to engine, pull out trany.

now the throw out bearing is still on tranny shaft, remove it and seperate the collar from bearing, use a puller and socket setup in hole, then press on new bearing, reinstall on shaft and connect to fork, Thats done!

now there are 6 bolts that bolt the pressure plate to the fly wheel, remove those and out comes the pressure plate, and clutch plate, now there are 6 bolts I think that hold the flywheel on, remove them and off comes the flywheel, watch out it is heavy! first check the flywheel surface for groves or problems just as you would a brake drum or rotor, if no probs you really dont have to have it turned but some would say why not you have gone this far.

local Napa or machine shop can turn it for you if needed!

Now if you are gonna replace the pilot bearing it is a brass bushing in the center of the crankshaft, there are multiple ways to change it, do a search on it!

Re-install in the reverse order insureing you torque all bolts to specs and I also use locktite on them.

insert the pilot shaft tool into the clutch plate and into the pilot bearing in the crank. the protruding side goes toward the tranny!

install the pressure plate over the clutch plate and bolt into posistion .

Once that is done the pressure will hold the clutch plate into posistion if you are not to ROUGH stabbing the tranny back in!

Now when stabbing the tranny in, it needs to be as level and lined up as possible, helps to have a second body, as you get close have someone turn the tranny shaft at the rear until the trany slips into the clutch plate teeth and push tranny rest the way in and bolt it up to the engine.Done!

I forgot you need to remove the shifter before atempimg to remove the tranny!

As far as adjustment the manual is very detailed and not difficult if you dont have GORRILLA hand to get up to the adjust rod under the dash on the clutch pedal linkage!

Ther you Go!

Chime in guys if I forgot anything!

SCARED IS FOR SISSY'S!!!!!!!!!!

[TBK1]

Also notice in your public profile that this assembly only has 4k miles on it, hard to beleive all this is bad!!!! also good idea to put in a new rear tranny seal while it is out!

[Blue Meanie]

To go bad in 4k it had to be adjusted to grind!

[=Resurected280=]

I'm not sure what a flywheel resurfacing would go for but its easy to take out if your doing the clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing too. I just did my clutch a few months ago and it was not an excessivley hard job, TBK1's explanation is a pretty one, but having a factory service manual always helps. BTW I got my clutch kit (includes the clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing and the clutch guide tool) at autozone for $100, its not a performance one or anything but it works good and it grabs good enough to spin the tires when I want to.

Doing the clutch adjustment is kind of a PITA though because there is not much space there and I had to contort myself like a gymnast to get at the damn thing, but I'm 6'3" and 200lbs so hopefully you'll have better luck .

Only other thing I can think of is I wouldnt recomend doing this job by yourself. I tried and the whole time I was thinking "I so shouldve called some one to help me muscling this thing in and out" It is possible though

Good Luck! =)

[Arne]

I had my flywheel resurfaced a couple of months back, it was $38. Highly recommended if you're installing a new disc.

[wfl_colorado]

If you have time, do it yourself just like TBK1. Definitely resurface the flywheel, even if you think it is okay. Believe me, it is worth it since this is a lot of work and you don't want to do it again due to chatter. If you don't. you will know exactly what I mean. Pressure plate, pilot bushing and throw-out bearing. A day or 2 depending on your time and how long it takes to get the flywheel done.

Bill

[The Wizard Of Z]

ok auto zone has the kit for 120$ the only thing i need to know if its for the 8/12 or the 9/12 width, i have no idead how to figuer this out, how are you suppose to know????

[zeiss150]

All the clutch kits are universal EXCEPT the turbo and 2+2 models they have a larger serface area 240mm vs. 225mm I think. I'v never heard of "8/12 or 9/12". But I don't know everything (as if I needed to state that:stupid: ) I hope you have a buddy that can help you with this job, I did it by myself and I set a new record for cuss words utterred in an afternoon, seroiusly, check Guinnes. Good luck and let us know if we can help.

Matt-

[=Resurected280=]

If I remember correctly this is determined by whether you have a 2 seater or a 2+2, when I bought mine they were able to tell which one I needed from that info.

[The Wizard Of Z]

well the tranny and the engine are both 280s, but the car is still and 72' 240, so it is a 2 seater, but thats what i looked at when i went to auto zone, they showed me they had clutch kits, and one was for like a 81/2 and the other was for a 91/2, so i dunno, they didnt even sell or were able to order the 9 so maybe i mite just be lucky and the 8 is what i need, and oh yeah i am doin this by myself looks like, unfortunitly i moved away from all my friends and family, and the ones that would be able to get this done for me in like 2 hours no prob, so i dont have any help out here so i was planning on just starting bright and early one day and just working threw the day, so i dunno we'll see what happens, right now my car is just sitting and im really screwed right now with two jobs i have to get too, so if anyone can offer more advise or tips on how to get this fixed, i appriciate it, ill keep checking in with new updates.