Hey ya'll, I've read every thread on 5 speed tranny problems I could find, and I can't find any threads that deal with what's going on in my Max. Got a '91 SE 5 speed that wants to hold onto gears when the clutch is slipped slightly, than pushed back to the floor. For example, when I'm at a stoplight, if I release the clutch just partially to inch up to the line after being stopped, then push the clutch back and try to take it out of first, it won't come out without a nasty thunk (no grinding though). In testing the tranny out in a variety of circumstances, I pinpointed the following things: 1.) Anytime you partially engage the clutch and then push it back in, the car will not easily come out of gear, and it does this in all gears (problem becomes especially aparent when parallel parking-when slipping the clutch to reverse it won't wanna come out of reverse when I push the clutch back down, does the same thing when I in first after I've moved up and try to take it out of gear, this is when the car is stopped, not rolling forwards or backwards) 2.) The car comes out of gear w/o any trouble when I'm driving down the road---upshifts and downshifts through the gears are O.K., although I gotta say they aren't wonderful quality, kinda notchy although there's no grind (figuired some Red Line tranny fluid should help this). 3.) I'm getting a rattle from somewhere when the car is out of gear with the clutch pedal released; when I depress the clutch, the noise goes away(assuming the noise is coming from somewhere between the tranny and engine, in the clutch & bearings I think). 4.) When driving down the road the best quality shifts I get happen when the clutch pedal feels lighter, which it does sometimes. 5.) Sometimes, although rarely, the car won't want to go into gear; if I pump the clutch pedal rapidly 2-3 times, it will go into gear finally w/o noise, but it feels REAL tight going in (ha ha, know what your thinking, great dirty minds think alike). This could happen when the car is cold or hot, no more likely than the other, seems randomn.

The car's got 147k on it, the guy I bought the car from was the 2nd owner (he bought the car w/ 79k, never replaced the clutch, doesn't know if the first owner ever did) The 2 different mechanics I've had look at my car both said the problem felt hydraulic, and I replaced the slave cylinder after I found out it was leaking (the clutch had been engaging right off the floor). One of the mechanics suggested I replace the master cylinder (even though there's no leak), and said that he thinks if that's not the problem than its the pressure plate (and go ahead and replace the whole clutch/bearings while your there). The other mechanic said the rattling was probably the pilot bearing, and that I could keep pulling my car out of gear as needed and that I wouldn't f***k up the tranny doing this until I can do a clutch job. I'm soooo stumped, I do alot of work on my car myself w/ a friend who knows Nissans ('93 Sentra 4dr w/ a JDM SR20DE swap he did himself), but I HATE replacing parts that don't need fixing. Any chance that this could just be the master cylinder (which I could replace and live with the bearing noise?)? Does it sound like clutch bearings are F****ed, maybe just replace the clutch? Heard that damaged input shaft bearings in the tranny could be responsible, sound possible? I'm know I just wrote a dissertation on my tranny problemsl; I apologize, I just figuired listing ALL symptoms might give ya'll a better idea of what's happening. ANY HELP AT ALL WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I've been reading every thread I could the last few weeks, really felt like these same symptoms haven't been dealt with directly before. Thanks in advance for ANY ideas ya'll might have, I'm definitely all ears (eyes in this case?).

 

If the Hydraulics of the system are all in order, then I would say your clutch is dead. The noise you hear is probably a worn throw out bearing. A clutch kit would most likely take care of the problem. It is easier to shift when moving because even if the clutch does not fully disengage, your rpms are allowing the syncros to mesh so you can change gears. I would try to get a bunch of opinions, but this is mine. Good luck.

 

Ditto..do a clutch. I recommend the Centerforce dual friction. I put one 1000 miles ago and it is so sweet. High quality..got it from A&A for $325. Not a bad price either. Also, while the tranny is out, check the input shaft for play..pull up and down, side to side on the shaft.

 

Hey I got the same problem with my 89 5sp, but I replace the hole clutch kit and it still making that noise when the clutch is realse.

 

Thanks for the input ya'll. Anybody know a good way to test the master cylinder w/o removing it? About that Centerforce clutch, male, is it real stiff, maybe a little hard drive smoothly? About a month ago when my clutch/tranny started its bs I read a bunch of threads about the ACT clutch being a ***** to drive smoothly and being noisy. After this, I had decided I'd use a Nissan OEM clutch since I know the parts manager at the local Nissan Stealer and get a discount(now I feel like I'm at least being handed some lube before the the bstrds bend me over). Anyways, that Centerforce clutch sounds great, if you've got some free time in the next few days maybe you could hit me back and tell me a little about the feel of it. Also, did you mean Advance when you said A&A? Thanks again to everyone for your input, I appreciate it!

 

Your clutch "seems" to be the problem...the throw-out bearing gets engaged when releasing the clutch and if its gone bad....then it will make rattling/squealing sounds....

Ofcourse this is a pure guess without looking at your car....but if you do relpace the clutch in the future...make sure you buy a throw-out bearing from Nissan only and not any aftermarket ones...it will save you a lot of trouble.

good luck!

 

did you check the slave cylinder? could be the througout bearing

 

Replaced the slave cylinder a couple weeks ago, changed the pedal feel but not the greater problem. I do plan on using a Nissan OEM clutch kit for the clutch job, believe it should include a throwout bearing. Also, forgot to mention that when I checked my tranny fluid, it was high! Fluid starting coming out of the tranny as the plug unthreaded. Tightened it back down, thinking surely it can't be too overfull. What I'm wondering is, how the hel did the tranny get overfull???? When you refill it all you do is fill until it starts running out of that higher of the two plug holes, so how'd they get it overfull? The guy I got the car from had it serviced at the Stealer, so I'd assume that he got decent know how for his beaucoup $$$$$, maybe not. Am I wrong about the tranny fluid fill? Is this overfill potentially damaging?

 

Just talked to a couple of buddies about the centerforce clutch, the more I think about it the more I think it the better it sounds. Wonder if I can get a Nissan thowout bearing & use it w/ the centerforce, don't see why not.