350Z / 370Z
Clutch Replacement Cost

Both the 350Z and the 370Z use the CD009 six-speed and a hydraulic clutch. On the 370Z the slave cylinder is a concentric unit inside the bellhousing, which means a slave failure is a transmission-out job just like a clutch. That changes the math: when one goes, you replace both.

A worn clutch on these cars gives the usual signs: slipping in 4th, 5th or 6th under load, the engagement point creeping up the pedal, and a burning smell after a hill or a hard pull. If yours is slipping, start budgeting. They do not get better.

What It Costs

Labor is the big number. Most shops book 5 to 8 hours depending on year and whether the exhaust and driveshaft fight them. That is why paying for a single part on a separate visit hurts so much: you pay the same labor twice.

Known Problem Areas

370Z: pedal sticking to the floor

The most common 370Z clutch complaint is a pedal that sticks to the floor or loses pressure after hard driving or high RPM shifts. The usual causes are heat-soaked or aerated fluid in the line and slave, a failing concentric slave, or both. Fresh fluid and a proper bleed fix some cars temporarily. When it keeps coming back, the slave and line are replaced. Do the clutch at the same time if it has any real mileage on it.

Clutch delay valve

Nissan put a restrictor (clutch delay valve) in the hydraulic line to slow engagement and protect the driveline from abrupt dumps. Many owners remove it or fit a line without it to get a more direct pedal. It does change engagement feel. It does not fix a worn clutch, a leaking slave or air in the system.

Flywheel chatter and noise

Some Zs came with a dual-mass flywheel. A dual-mass that rattles at idle, clunks on engagement, or has excessive play needs replacing. It cannot be resurfaced like a solid flywheel. Most owners replace a failed dual-mass with a single-mass flywheel, which is less expensive and more durable, with some added gear rattle and a less forgiving launch. Our dual-mass vs single-mass guide covers the trade-off.

Throwout bearing noise

A chirp or squeal that changes when you touch the pedal is the release bearing. On the 370Z it is part of the concentric slave assembly. On the 350Z it is a separate bearing. Replace it with every clutch regardless.

Choosing a Clutch

Stock or bolt-ons, daily driver: an OEM-style or mild performance organic clutch. Smooth engagement, light pedal, long life. The ACT 370Z HD Perf Street Sprung and ACT 350Z HD Perf Street Sprung kits hold more than stock and still drive like a street car.

Forced induction or track use: a stronger sprung disc with ceramic or segmented facings. Kits like the Clutch Masters FX400 for the 2003-2006 350Z hold a lot of torque, but engagement is grabbier and chatter is more noticeable. Do not put a puck clutch in a car that sits in traffic every day unless you like it that way.

Flywheel: a steel single-mass flywheel such as the Competition Clutch 17.5 lb steel flywheel for the 2007-2011 350Z/370Z is a durable replacement for a failed dual-mass. Lighter flywheels rev faster but make the car harder to launch smoothly. For a street car, moderate weight is the sweet spot. More in our lightweight flywheel guide.

The 350Z has an external release bearing setup that can be replaced with a hydraulic throwout bearing like the McLeod CD009 hydraulic throwout bearing, which is common in builds that change the clutch geometry.

Replace While It Is Apart

• Release bearing or concentric slave — always.
• Pilot bearing — cheap and easy with a pilot bearing puller.
• Rear main seal — if there is any oil on the bellhousing.
• Flywheel bolts and pressure plate bolts — new, torqued to spec in a crisscross pattern.
• Clutch fluid — fresh, and bled properly. See our clutch bleeding guide.
• Transmission fluid — drain it while the box is on the floor.

Center the disc with a clutch alignment tool and follow the break-in procedure for your kit. Our clutch break-in guide covers the first few hundred miles.

DIY or Shop?

A Z clutch is a doable driveway job if you have good jack stands, a transmission jack, and patience. The exhaust, driveshaft and transmission crossmember all come out, and the CD009 is heavy enough that balancing it on a floor jack is a bad idea. The hardest part for most first-timers is getting the transmission back onto the dowels without hanging its weight on the input shaft. A properly centered disc and a jack with a tilting saddle make that much easier. If you do not have the equipment, the labor savings are not worth the risk of a damaged input shaft or a dropped transmission. Pay a shop that does manual transmissions regularly and supply your own clutch kit if they allow it.

FAQ

How much does a 370Z clutch replacement cost?

Typically $1,200 to $1,900 at a shop with an OEM-style kit, and $1,800 to $3,000 with an upgraded kit, new flywheel and slave cylinder.

Why does my 370Z clutch pedal stick to the floor?

Usually heat-soaked or aerated fluid in the line and concentric slave, or a failing slave cylinder. Fresh fluid and a bleed can help temporarily. Repeat problems usually need a new slave and line.

Should I replace the slave cylinder with the clutch on a 370Z?

Yes. The concentric slave is inside the bellhousing, so replacing it later means paying for the transmission removal again.

Can I resurface a dual-mass flywheel?

No. A failed dual-mass flywheel is replaced. Many owners switch to a single-mass flywheel at that point.

What does removing the clutch delay valve do?

It speeds up clutch engagement and gives a more direct pedal feel. It does not fix a worn clutch or a hydraulic leak.