Clutch issues in Sentra

[blackmaxima88]

For the third time in the past two days I've gone to release the clutch to take off from a stop, only to have the pedal stay on the floor. after playing with the pedal, it will finally come back up. as of now, it's an intermittent random problem.

it has been my past experience that either (a) there's a problem with the hydraulic system, or (2) the throwout bearing is torn up. scenario #1 is eliminated because I have a mechanical clutch with a cable, not a hydraulic one. but I REALLY hope I don't need a clutch.

any suggestions on checking the linkage and cable before I automatically condemn the throwout bearing and start calling for prices? the cost to put a clutch in my '88 maxima ran me between $525-600. but now I work at autozone and have connections with garages that can save me a good bit... but it's still not an ordeal I wanna go with. it's money I don't have, which is basically everyone's problem.

sometimes I wonder why I don't stick with automatic transmissions, then I remember all that can go wrong with an automatic transmission, as well as the frequent filter and fluid changes.... I'm happy with my standards. the only rough shifting that occurs is when my foot slips off the clutch

Thanks

Dan

[maximase86]

Actually, it could also be the springs on the clutch that could be bad, broken, or missing. You can probably go to place and have a complete clutch job done for $395....or at least up here. I'd shop around. Hell, changing a clutch isn't all that hard.

S

[blackmaxima88]

well... it is when you don't have the time, expertise, or resourses to take out the tranny.

I adjusted the freeplay on the pedal and release lever and that fixed it up until tonight, when I was driving and noticed that the clutch took a second or two to spring back out when I pressed it to shift gears.

wonder if the cable's sticking? usually I can play with the pedal and it'll pop back out. when the throwout bearing in my max got wasted, it screwed up the hydraulics.

Dan

[maximase86]

Hard to say. I've only had one experience with cable clutches...and that cables break. :P

S