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Micra - 1999 - Clutch and suspension! - Turtle82
I wonder if anyone has got any advice regarding my partners Micra? She is using it to learn to drive and it needs some attention.

1) The car has started to "shudder" slightly when pulling away in 1st from cold. When warmed up it isn't as obvious. I am guessing this is the first sign of the clutch going. Anyone like to comment on whether its likely to need adjusting or a complete new clutch? If it needs a new one, is a new one likely to be "soft" or "hard" - remembering this is for a learner driver? I seem to recall putting a new clutch in my old Mk Escort and it was reallt tough to operate!

2) There is a small "bumping/clanking" sound coming from the nearside. Its like the sound of a panel being flexed (in and then, eventually, out again).. I though it would be the shocks, maybe gone dry and being sticky. It doesn't happen all the time, not over all bumps in the road and not always on corners... just an occasional "bump/clank". Is there any known problems with shocks or supension on these Micras?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

S

Micra - 1999 - Clutch and suspension! - injection doc
Once clutch judder has started it is unlikely to go away and normally indicates that the clutch has been overheated or contaminated with oil. My advice would be to fit a genuine clucth although nissan dont make there own but they go through rigourous quality checks to be accepted by the manufacture. An alternative is to by an ADL clutch which is sutible for thew job. Remanufactured & recon clutches tend to feel sharp on take up & you get less of a feel to the overcentre throw.
I would recomend a good inspection on a ramp to check the underside with a view to close inspection of A/roll bar & lower ball joints