Nissan Repair: transmission/clutch, clutch release, throwout bearing

Question
Hi - I recently had the clutch replaced in my 1996 Almera. The clutch had become so stiff, and sometimes in the morning it wouldn't go into gear. As it warmed up it got better. As this was not how it was before the work, I assumed the alignment had somehow been messed so I let the left side engine mount go completely loose and then raised the motor part way and re-tightened and it freed the lever. However, over time it became slightly awkward again. I wondered if the mechanic had several mounts loose and didn't keep thing aligned when they had to keep the car an extra day (and perhaps had to move it out of the way)  as a clip broke on installation and then had to pull the clutch again. Also, when they brought the car to me, suddenly a clanking started like a clamp had suddenly fallen off and was being spun around in the case! The mechanic said it was 'run-on' of the starter motor, but it was already running, and it didn't stop till he shut it off.

Answer
Mark,

It sounds like the throw out bearing to me.  The clutch is released via an actuator, either hydraullic or cable linkage.  This applies to the clutch release fork and the action is applied to the throw out bearing to release the clutch.  If there was a spinning noise when they delivered the car to you and it stopped after they turned the engine off, and it was not starter run on, I would assume that the throwout bearing or clutch release fork is not actuating properly.  Some cars have throw out bearing bind where the shaft the throwout bearing slides on has built up material or scoring.  Now, if the wire that holds the throw out bearing to the clutch release fork has fallen off that would account for misalignment and difficulty in release actuation.  You are going to need the car up on a lift and have someone actuate the clutch while you watch the action to be sure.  Also, you will have to remove the rubber boot to look inside where the clutch release fork connects to the throw out bearing to see how it moves and to eliminate it as something that is causing the binding when cold.  If you have a hydraullic clutch the engine mounts should not cause binding.  If it is a cable or mechanical linkage then this could be a problem with alignment.