Hey guys,

It's that time of year again, the Nissan needs a new clutch, and the tranny sounds like it's going. i got quoted $2200 for a junkyard replacement + new clutch installed. i'm wondering how hard this is to do myself, and do i have to pull the engine or just one axle to get it out? what should i do at the same time just as preventative maintainence. i was thinking resurface/lighten flywheel, replace the throwout bearing, maybe a new head gasget and clean up the standard VTC problem... please let me know, i'm going to pick the car up from the shop that estimated today, and should decide what i should do in a few days.
Thanks guys-

Gavin

 

I am in the process of getting a tranny rebuild (bearing kit & one synchronizer) for ~$1100 from a Transmission shop. I don't need a clutch cuz I replaced it 20k ago. I would estimate that if I were to get it done now, that it would probably cost around $1700. Depending on how bad the tranny is, you may want to consider just taking it somewhere. According to the Haynes manual, it looks like a hassle unless you have a lift in your garage.

 

yup, i have a friend with a lift- i'm just wondering if you have to pull the tranny out from the top or bottom. i know there's guys who have done it themselves, just can't find them... no search function.

 

read Matt's how-to on www.4dsc.com/articles

it doesn't have pics, but you can look at that and chiltons online (link in the FAQ post) and you can get most of the info you need from there

the engine does not need to be removed or anything like that, you definitely need to remove drivers side axle and pass side is recommended too

Matt93se is selling lightened flywheels for pretty cheap so you may want to look into that. If not, at least resurface your current flywheel (that'll be about $25 or so). If you want a stock VE flywheel to resurface and have ready to put in to save down time, email me and I'll sell you my old one I have laying around New throw-out bearing is a good idea and you probably want to get new axle input seals when you pull those out but not necessary

it's not that bad if you're fairly mechanical and have a good assortment of tools and some jacks and jackstands

 

take it out the bottom much easier i dont think its posible to take it out the top and you dont need a lift or any special tools to do it except the 36mm axle nut which most people dont have

 

It's not that difficult. You will likely have to take BOTH axles out, but I somehow managed to do it about two weeks ago with only the driver's side out. Don't ask me how. It was a PITA for sure. Anyway, I ordered a new clutch and had my flywheel resurfaced, and went at it. Replaced it on jackstands in the front in my in-law's back yard. Half of the work I actually did in the rain . I had never done it before, and didn't have a book or any instructions... but it's done and working better than ever! Go for it. Hit me up if you get stuck and I'll help you best I can.

 

I replaced my flywheel & clutch a couple weeks ago in less than 4 hours from start to finish.. it's not that hard.

I recommend having someone rebuild the tranny- there's usually not much wrong with them other than bearings and maybe a synchro or two. give Kaleb @ courtesy a shout for a bearing kit for the tranny. it'll be cheaper than the aftermarket stuff the shop will try to buy for it. let them deal with the shims and other parts though.

after that, I recommend either ACT, OEM, or LuK clutch, and one of my Fidanza flywheels.

you should be out around $1500 for the whole deal if you go that way. pull the tranny yourself and take it to the shop. have them rebuild it and you'll reinstall it, along with the new clutch and flywheel.

 

I definitely recommend investing in one of those flywheels that Matt is selling, but I highly don't recommend getting the Luk clutch. I had it on for a year, and it was crap. It felt great at first... and I was never really hard on it... but it wore out way too quickly.

 

i just called a salvage yard in my area and they have a LSD 5-spd for $700, so i'm debating wether i should rebuild mine (what's price of bearings/shims/labor?) or just buy the used one and pop it in?

as for the rest of the parts, courtesy nissan has

pressure plate assembly: $103
clutch disc assembly: $86
Throw out bearing: $26
Dust boots(2) : $11
Axle seals(2): $11
Alignment tool: $8
Pilot bushing: $5
Bearing clips: $4

am i missing anything, or should i look to get parts cheaper elsewhere? first time i've done anything this big, so i appreciate your comments- thanks guys!

-Gavin

 

the previous owner of my car put a junkyard tranny in it at 90k i bought it at 96k and at 108k the trany got locked in second and i had to rebiuld so unless the car that the tranny is coming out of has lower miles i would suggest the rebiuld it shouldnt cost that much more and is worth it

 

Hey I did the exact same thing, mainly because, well, I couldnt get my passenger side axle out. I dont see why it needs to come out anyway....

Transmission went back on easy as pie

Another option for transmission work is to look into exchanges. I know where I got my work done at most all of their transmissions are $995 exchanged (freshly rebuilt)...

 

james, you can't sell your SE, it was the protege for mine! that is until i blew my money on a 95 Z28 with a bored and stroked 383... about 440 crank and 380 RWHP. The Maxima is now a true luxury car compared to that. No need to make it race ready, it just has to last forever now

 

But I'll still have my modded VE 5spd...so it's all good

 

When in there changing all that is a good time to put in a new rear oil seal.