5 spd tranny shifts hard....
Thread Starter
The Bulgarian Guy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 472
5 spd tranny shifts hard....
Hello folks,
some time ago I had to change my axles so I changed the oil in the tranny as well. Well, I used some crap brand and regret it ever since. When the car is still cold, it's hard to move from gear to gear. I did the change when it was 20 below outside so I thought it's the cold. The winter is gone and I still have the same situation. My second gear is getting harder and harder to switch to as well. Anyways, I should have known better not to listen to a friend of mine that told me: ooh, the car is too old, don't waste money on amsoil. Well, tomorrow night I'll waste the money. I remember reading something about Lucas additive. Do you recomend adding it as well or no? Also, is there a specific Lucas that I should use? Thank you in advance and I'll be waiting for your replies.
some time ago I had to change my axles so I changed the oil in the tranny as well. Well, I used some crap brand and regret it ever since. When the car is still cold, it's hard to move from gear to gear. I did the change when it was 20 below outside so I thought it's the cold. The winter is gone and I still have the same situation. My second gear is getting harder and harder to switch to as well. Anyways, I should have known better not to listen to a friend of mine that told me: ooh, the car is too old, don't waste money on amsoil. Well, tomorrow night I'll waste the money. I remember reading something about Lucas additive. Do you recomend adding it as well or no? Also, is there a specific Lucas that I should use? Thank you in advance and I'll be waiting for your replies.
Thread Starter
The Bulgarian Guy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 472
after reading this article I decided to skip the Lucas part....
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
I hope, that after putting the new and right oil in, things will get a little better.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
I hope, that after putting the new and right oil in, things will get a little better.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 439
Mine is usually more notchy-feeling in the morning than in the afternoon. The type of fluid you switched to I would think is the most likely cause. However, if it's getting progressively worse by the day or week, it may be beyond saving.
AN ASIDE
I don't know about anyone else's experience, but I've left tranny fluid in my tranny for a LONG time (tens-of-thousands of miles) and had no issues whatsoever. In fact, my 1987 SE 5spd, which I had for 3 years/45,000 miles, I never changed the tranny fluid in the entire time I had it, and it was still running like the day I bought it (i.e. great) when I got rid of it.
I'm not saying don't change it ever, but personally I take a see/hear/say no evil approach to trannies...pay it no mind, it'll run fine....so long as you don't jam it through gears and run it to redline all the time (not that you do).
AN ASIDE
I don't know about anyone else's experience, but I've left tranny fluid in my tranny for a LONG time (tens-of-thousands of miles) and had no issues whatsoever. In fact, my 1987 SE 5spd, which I had for 3 years/45,000 miles, I never changed the tranny fluid in the entire time I had it, and it was still running like the day I bought it (i.e. great) when I got rid of it.
I'm not saying don't change it ever, but personally I take a see/hear/say no evil approach to trannies...pay it no mind, it'll run fine....so long as you don't jam it through gears and run it to redline all the time (not that you do).
I don't know about 3rd Gens but for 4th gens, GL-4 is requred. I switched to Red Line mt-90 after getting my axle replaced and felt a diffrence. Definitley goes into gear more easily. I would stick with redline or amsoil alone, they already put additives in there that are specially designed for transmissions.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 304
Originally Posted by Slamnasty
"I don't know about anyone else's experience, but I've left tranny fluid in my tranny for a LONG time (tens-of-thousands of miles) and had no issues whatsoever. In fact, my 1987 SE 5spd, which I had for 3 years/45,000 miles, I never changed the tranny fluid in the entire time I had it, and it was still running like the day I bought it (i.e. great) when I got rid of it..."
As a matter of fact, last year I took my 91 SE to the mechanic for them to service the transmission (cause I had no previous records of when the last time it was done, and I already owned the car for a year or so and never had it done..so figured it could use it - this was in 2003 or early 2004 b.t.w.), and they were somewhat hesitant to do the job. They said if the transmission does have a slight problem, changing the fluid actually increases the possibility if making it worse....does that sound accurate?
I had them do it anyway cause I didnt notice any probs...and my tranny is still shiftin smoooooth as cream.
stay away from lucas- use gl-4 compliant gear oil.
imo opinion things will get better with a synthetic oil but even with really bad oil you shouldn't have this much of a problem. it may be time for a rebuilt 5spd?
Originally Posted by www.myoilshop.com
A 75W/80W GL-4 gear oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles. Provides excellent protection of gears and synchronizers and its balanced slipperiness provides a perfect coefficient of friction, allowing easier shifting.
RED LINE MTL and MT-90 are designed to provide excellent protection and improved shiftability for manual transmissions and transaxles. MTL and MT-90 have cured the problem of hard shifting in numerous transmissions which have notoriously difficult shifting. The secret to their success is two-fold. First, they have the appropriate coefficient of friction for most manual transmission synchronizers. Many gear oils, engine oils, and ATFs are too slippery for proper synchro engagement. Secondly, the viscosity characteristics of MTL and MT-90 allow proper shifting over the entire temperature range which the transmission will experience. The synthetic base oils used have a very high viscosity index which provides relatively constant viscosity as temperature changes. MTL is a low 75W, almost a 70W, at very low temperatures and a high 80W, nearly an 85W, at elevated temperatures, providing adequate viscosity to prevent wear and deaden gear noise. MT-90 is a thicker 75W90 version of MTL. The shear stability and oxidation stability of these products are excellent, thus the physical characteristics of Red Line MTL and MT-90 will change little with use.
Red Line MTL is classified as a 75W/80W gear lubricant satisfying the API Service requirements of GL-3 and GL-4. MTL also satisfies motor oil viscosities SAE 5W/10W/30, and the viscosity requirements for ATFs. MT-90 is a 75W90 GL-4 and also satisfies motor oil viscosities SAE 10W/15W/40. The additive chemistry used is non-corrosive, so even though they will provide GL-4 performance, they will not corrode synchros or bushings. Because of its low corrosivity, Red Line MTL and MT-90 could also be used in transmissions requiring GL-1 or GL-3 lubricants. Seal compatibility is designed to be similar to petroleum-based lubricants.
RED LINE MTL and MT-90 are designed to provide excellent protection and improved shiftability for manual transmissions and transaxles. MTL and MT-90 have cured the problem of hard shifting in numerous transmissions which have notoriously difficult shifting. The secret to their success is two-fold. First, they have the appropriate coefficient of friction for most manual transmission synchronizers. Many gear oils, engine oils, and ATFs are too slippery for proper synchro engagement. Secondly, the viscosity characteristics of MTL and MT-90 allow proper shifting over the entire temperature range which the transmission will experience. The synthetic base oils used have a very high viscosity index which provides relatively constant viscosity as temperature changes. MTL is a low 75W, almost a 70W, at very low temperatures and a high 80W, nearly an 85W, at elevated temperatures, providing adequate viscosity to prevent wear and deaden gear noise. MT-90 is a thicker 75W90 version of MTL. The shear stability and oxidation stability of these products are excellent, thus the physical characteristics of Red Line MTL and MT-90 will change little with use.
Red Line MTL is classified as a 75W/80W gear lubricant satisfying the API Service requirements of GL-3 and GL-4. MTL also satisfies motor oil viscosities SAE 5W/10W/30, and the viscosity requirements for ATFs. MT-90 is a 75W90 GL-4 and also satisfies motor oil viscosities SAE 10W/15W/40. The additive chemistry used is non-corrosive, so even though they will provide GL-4 performance, they will not corrode synchros or bushings. Because of its low corrosivity, Red Line MTL and MT-90 could also be used in transmissions requiring GL-1 or GL-3 lubricants. Seal compatibility is designed to be similar to petroleum-based lubricants.
Originally Posted by LMaRiE91MaXiMa
They said if the transmission does have a slight problem, changing the fluid actually increases the possibility if making it worse....does that sound accurate?
Old wives tale...well sorta.
The thing is this. They say if the transmission hasnt been changed you shouldnt because there is gunk clogging up what could be leaks and parts failure.
IMO though is if its bad enough to fail after changing fluid then its going to fail anyway period.
Gear lube is different than auto transmission fluid which is what this guy is talking about anyway. Gear lube will typically not need to be replaced as often as transmission fluid because of the type of transmissions. Gear lubes do not flow through the transmission and operate the shift points and everything else like the fluid in an auto does. You should always change your auto fluid regularly where you dont have to replace gear lube quite as often.
While on the subject of gear lube I have one question. If amsiol is a full synthetic then why in the world does it still smell as bad as regular gear lube. Seems since its man made they could make it smell a little nicer lol. I have some amsoil gear lube and was supprised to find that it smelled just as bad as regular gear lube and that stuff doesnt wash off...its gotta wear off over a few days lol.
Smell? Dunno. Just way it is..
Why it sticks so much? Because the only way it gets circulated is the parts touching the bath of lube in the case. So in order for it to ride up on all the gears etc.. it has to be able to attach and stick long enough to get everywhere.
Why it sticks so much? Because the only way it gets circulated is the parts touching the bath of lube in the case. So in order for it to ride up on all the gears etc.. it has to be able to attach and stick long enough to get everywhere.
Amsoil isn't nearly as strong (smelling) as regular gear oil.
That didn't stop me from getting owned "ohhh look green, it looks cooler, maybe it will smell better too..... *sniff* ..... DAMNIT!!!!!!"
That didn't stop me from getting owned "ohhh look green, it looks cooler, maybe it will smell better too..... *sniff* ..... DAMNIT!!!!!!"
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Smell? Dunno. Just way it is..
Why it sticks so much? Because the only way it gets circulated is the parts touching the bath of lube in the case. So in order for it to ride up on all the gears etc.. it has to be able to attach and stick long enough to get everywhere.
Why it sticks so much? Because the only way it gets circulated is the parts touching the bath of lube in the case. So in order for it to ride up on all the gears etc.. it has to be able to attach and stick long enough to get everywhere.
sticks? I didnt say nothing about it sticking...or are you talking to someone else on that.
Originally Posted by MrGone
Amsoil isn't nearly as strong (smelling) as regular gear oil.
That didn't stop me from getting owned "ohhh look green, it looks cooler, maybe it will smell better too..... *sniff* ..... DAMNIT!!!!!!"
That didn't stop me from getting owned "ohhh look green, it looks cooler, maybe it will smell better too..... *sniff* ..... DAMNIT!!!!!!"
green...mine is gold...hmm which is the green stuff? All I found was the 75-90 long life gear synthetic gear lube around here (which is gold not green). Is that not the normal amsoil that most people use?
I answered to why this is. You still have the bottle? Check the GL rating. Should be GL-4. GL-5 is a no no
Originally Posted by awsm66
and that stuff doesnt wash off...its gotta wear off over a few days lol.
Originally Posted by MrGone
That didn't stop me from getting owned "ohhh look green, it looks cooler, maybe it will smell better too..... *sniff* ..... DAMNIT!!!!!!"
imo nothing smells worse than really old atf out of the power steering system. i gag damn near everytime i smell it. i'm getting used to gear oil though.
i wanted to get some amsoil series 2000 gear oil. it's blue! 20whp yo!
but amsoil doesn't make it anymore and it's become hard to find as most people seem to buy it anytime they seem old stock of it somehwere.
Thread Starter
The Bulgarian Guy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 472
update
Well, last night I changed to amsoil and the diff is like day and night. I can't believe it-no grining and the shift feel is like cutting trough butter with a hot nife. Simply amazing. In the morning there were no hard shifts as well. I am happy
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Mine is usually more notchy-feeling in the morning than in the afternoon. The type of fluid you switched to I would think is the most likely cause. However, if it's getting progressively worse by the day or week, it may be beyond saving.
AN ASIDE
I don't know about anyone else's experience, but I've left tranny fluid in my tranny for a LONG time (tens-of-thousands of miles) and had no issues whatsoever. In fact, my 1987 SE 5spd, which I had for 3 years/45,000 miles, I never changed the tranny fluid in the entire time I had it, and it was still running like the day I bought it (i.e. great) when I got rid of it.
I'm not saying don't change it ever, but personally I take a see/hear/say no evil approach to trannies...pay it no mind, it'll run fine....so long as you don't jam it through gears and run it to redline all the time (not that you do).
AN ASIDE
I don't know about anyone else's experience, but I've left tranny fluid in my tranny for a LONG time (tens-of-thousands of miles) and had no issues whatsoever. In fact, my 1987 SE 5spd, which I had for 3 years/45,000 miles, I never changed the tranny fluid in the entire time I had it, and it was still running like the day I bought it (i.e. great) when I got rid of it.
I'm not saying don't change it ever, but personally I take a see/hear/say no evil approach to trannies...pay it no mind, it'll run fine....so long as you don't jam it through gears and run it to redline all the time (not that you do).
I agreed with you on not changing the tranny fluid and it still operating. Most issues are always in either how the tranny is treated and the quality of the lubrication use. Like you said... if drive like you have some sense then it should last you a while, but you have to check and keep the proper amount of fluid in there. The same applies for engine oil.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Unclejunebug
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
10
Apr 2, 2016 05:42 AM
fx4five
1st & 2nd Generation Maxima (1981-1984 and 1985-1988)
8
Oct 18, 2015 06:57 PM
ef9
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
10
Oct 4, 2015 08:43 AM
fx4five
1st & 2nd Generation Maxima (1981-1984 and 1985-1988)
0
Oct 1, 2015 04:58 AM