riversideguy

I'm about to buy a 86 Nissan PU truck this weekend. The engine runs, but the clutch recently went out. There is absolutely no resistance on the clutch at all. I need to make it to the freeway since I have about a 60 mile drive home and want to avoid towing charges. The problem is I know nothing about the truck and need some info.

Is the clutch on this truck cable or hydro?
Is there a manual clutch adjustment or is this a self adjusting clutch?
Can I speed shift to get this thing to the freeway?

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks

brookwood61

hi river - is the clutch fried(slipping), or full engaged. it 'sa hydraulic- no adjustment.
if it's fried, and you can get it to move, one thing that can happen is you get stuck on side of the road, or even in an accident.
if engaged, could be a leak. fill resivor, bleed inline box on the firewall, and the slave cylinder.if no OBVIOUS leaks anywhere, you should make it home if clutch arm moves with petal and clutch works a little. once home, you can change to parts needed.
Forget speed shifting or gear jamming, it could harm the drive train, and cost more $$$$$$$$.
A tow bill will be cheaper then a new trans, if the hydraulics don't check out. You surely don't want an accident either.
Good Luck

riversideguy

Thanks, I think that is enough to get me going. From what I was told the truck idles in neutral, so it's not engaged. I'll try bleeding at both cyclinders and hopefully I get enough pressure going to drive it a little.

Thanks again!

kkspeed

The Clutch Slave Cylinder is on the outside of the bellhousing on the passenger's side. It's very easy to get at. I think you need a 10mm wrench for the bleeder. The clutch box is on the passenger's side of the firewall.
It's a little difficult to get a wrench on the bleeder. I believe the bleeder is also 10mm.

Not a difficult job!

__________________
2000 Nissan Frontier XE King Cab, 2wd , 4 cyl, automatic

brookwood61

I forgot to add, that if there is an internal hydraulic pressure leak, the truck could suddenly lurch forward while stopped with the petal depressed. Keep your distance in stopped traffic.
Good Luck Again

riversideguy

Thanks again for the responses! I don't have a service manual yet, so all this info helps. Are there any electronic versions of a service manual publicly available for a 86 Nissan PU by any chance?

bkea

I've had problems with both the slave and the master at different times and they both acted like you say. The slave is simple to fix. I did it in the parking lot of the parts store with borrowed wrenches. But I think the bolts are 12 or 14 mm and the bleeder screw is 10mm.

A mechanic fixed the clutch master, cuz I thought it was the clutch itself. He said it was the master and save d me $250.

Try bleeding it and look for leaks. You may could get home like that. If I were you I would consider renting a tow dolly and towing it.

riversideguy

Update:

Thanks for all the replies. The problem was the slave cylinder which I was able to replace for $20. It couldn't have been any easier or quicker. The clutch now works fine and is not loosing fluid, but the pedal resistance is very soft. I'm not sure what this means, maybe this is normal or the clutch plate itself is weakening.

The truck runs very strong so far and I only have a few issues that I want to address.

1) The truck diesels for about 1 or 2 seconds when I shut it down. Any ideas about that are welcome. It's a '86 24z with electronic injection which I take it to mean throttle body fuel injection. So far I misted some water into the tb to try and clean possible hot spots in the cylinder. I read some reference to an anti-dieseling solenoid, but I'm not sure if this applies to this truck or not.

2) The dash is very cracked and I am looking into my options there. Maybe replace the whole thing, but I'm not sure if that would be worthwhile expense wise.

3) I might want to install a tachometer as well. There is a spot for one, but it looks like it didn't come with that option.

4) When I signal right, the high beam engages unless I put some forward pressure on the signal lever when I'm doing it. Something seems to be worn out or loose.

Thanks again for all the replies!

SPEEDO

the pivot ball for the clutch fork may have snapped, I have run into that before.

kkspeed

In response to question #3:

3) I might want to install a tachometer as well. There is a spot for one, but it looks like it didn't come with that option.

I tried to replace the stock instrument cluster (without a tach) in my 90 Hardbody with a instrument cluster from another Nissan truck with a tach;
the tach did not work! So, apparently the wiring harnesses are not interchangeable for trucks with and without a tach from the factory.

I would advise to go shopping at your local pick-&-pull junkyard for Nissan trucks or Pathfinders for the interior pieces that you are looking for.

__________________
2000 Nissan Frontier XE King Cab, 2wd , 4 cyl, automatic

riversideguy

I'm planning on visiting my local junkyard when I have time to see what sort of little or big replacement pieces I might find. I'm hoping to just replace the whole dash, but I doubt I'll be that lucky. Not really sure which other models might work as donors for my 86 pickup. Thanks for the info.