Clutch Clinic: Nissan Note
NISSAN NOTE 1.4
Renewing the clutch components on a Nissan Note can be undertaken at home, but patience is required at times… Kim Henson describes how the job can be done.
The 1.4-litre petrol-powered Nissan Note in the workshop of John Farrow (J&C Motors, Bournemouth) was still driving, but the lady owner had reported that the clutch ‘didn’t feel right’. During a test drive John’s experience told him that although the clutch was not (yet) slipping, it was indeed ailing and not long for this world – the pedal action felt less than smooth and the feeling was that clutch slip would soon be evident. So the decision was taken to renew the clutch assembly, including the concentric clutch hydraulic slave cylinder assembly employed on this Nissan – a similar set-up is used on a variety of other modern vehicles.
Rather than being attached to the outside of the engine/transmission bellhousing, where in most cases the cylinder is quite accessible, in the case of this concentric slave cylinder it is located within the bellhousing and around the gearbox first motion shaft.
Thus, pressure is applied directly and evenly on to the release bearing, and there’s no need for a release fork/arm to move the bearing as the clutch pedal is activated. However, a major downside of this arrangement is that when/if the slave cylinder seal fails, hydraulic fluid escapes, and the clutch won’t operate. Check often for signs of hydraulic fluid escaping from the bellhousing.
Since the only way to reach and change the concentric slave cylinder is to remove the transmission unit, while the gearbox/ differential is out of the car it makes sense always to renew, together and at the same time, the slave cylinder/release bearing assembly, clutch-driven plate and pressure plate. We strongly recommend this approach, regardless of how good any of the individual components may appear. Realistically priced complete kits of all the parts needed are available to tackle the whole job.