Hi everyone, I just wrecked my altima and now have insurance money to buy a 4th gen maxima (need to stay in the Nissan family!) I have my heart set on this '96 SE 5spd. I was wondering if there were any common problems w/this particular year or generation. It has 110k miles and got the clutch replaced recently. I was reading in the FAQ about properly shimming the differential bearings .. if the car already has 110k and runs fine, should I be worried about spending another $800 to fix this? Thanks.

Mike

 

Starters, knock sensors, EVAP canisters, mostly stupid stuff. The only big thing is the diff. bearings. I wouldn't try to "fix" them until they show signs of failure. BTW, it's actaully easier to go out and buy a used tranny for a few hundred bucks and throw that thing on then fix the old one, unless you know what you're doing.

Properly taken care off, these cars last a very long time.

 

You just made us look bad!!!!!


Those things dont go out til 100K plus, well for me,


I have a 95 w/ 173,000 and I have replaced the cv joints, alternator, water pump, knock sensor.


Those are besides the normal stuff like brakes, oil, batteries, tires....

I think as far as the diff bearings go, mostly 5 spds.

 

Some of them have a wierd vibration problem that is totally unpredictable. Some have it between speeds of 56-62 or maybe its just 70-74.. Or maybe not at all! Its not a bad vibration but it is noticable to the driver.. Just a heads up I guess! Mine does it, always has and probably always will! I get it about 2 or 3 times a month is all though.. After reading alot of the posts on here about it I decided to just live with it. Some guys have replaced so much stuff on thier car to try and a get rid of it, but it might never leave!

Good luck!

 

Believe it or not, I actually killed an Altima in 84K miles!!

I can't recall a single case of bad diff carrier bearings on an auto either.

 

don't forget about those fun little engine coolant temperature sensors!