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CL-9 in the '95 manual shows the damper. Looking at the diagram, it's even simpler than I had assumed it was! I thought it was supposed to slow engagement if you pop the clutch, but it looks like it's just adding a little squish to the system. NVH thing? Probably unrelated to this issue, unless it's gone all to pieces inside and the debris was blocking the line back to the master. Now that I'm thinking about it, I've heard of rubber brake hoses failing like a check valve, so you can apply the brake, but it won't release. I haven't heard of a clutch hose doing that, but it sure does sound like what yours was doing. Ackshually the manual calls it an "Operating Cylinder," but, yeah, nobody else does. I've only ever seen/heard it called a slave cylinder.

I wanted to say thanks a ton for this write-up Hawairish. I followed this guide a lot. Couple of years ago I bought a weak Xterra center and put it in, then later took it out again, ordered some more plate and discs, and rebuilt it filling it out completely, it works amazing now. I don't know if there's a ban on posting links or companies, but I bought new friction discs and plates (and all my OEM stuff) from Amayama. https://www.amayama.com/en/genuine-catalogs/epc/nissan-usa/pathfinder/r50/1373-vq35de/power_train/380 Also, it was bugging me that these diffs don't have an adjustable 'ramp-angle' mechanism like a lot of other diffs and the earlier H233b models do. It didn't make sense how the clutches are engaged. I looked into it, and found a doc somewhere that said these Hitachi diffs have a 'fixed' gear setup. The side gears are cut in such a way that the more torque (axle vs center force) they encounter, the more they push away the spider gears, which in turn compresses the clutches and discs for more lock-up. Then the actual amount of lockup is adjusted by clutch discs, springs etc. which is why there's so many variations in the packing between models - and is all covered here. Excellent guide thanks!

New one on me. My first thought is heat soak (exhaust leak cooking the clutch hydraulics?) but I would expect that to prevent disengaging the clutch, not make it slip. Does yours still have the clutch damper? I've heard of those acting up. Haven't had to mess with one, given mine's got the slushbox.