Well, the car has been out of commission for over a week now. Earlier, before Thanksgiving, the passenger's side CV axle seal blew. I took the old one out (which was a PITA) and replaced it. I filled the tranny up with Redline and sure enough, the seal leaked. As I could not afford the time anymore, I took it to a shop. They replaced it and called me as soon as they did and said that the seal itself turns in the tranny casing and they didn't know what to do. (It was sealing around the axle, but not sealing in the tranny casing.) So, they "glued" it in with a weird type of automotive caulking and it worked. They put the axle back in, filled her up, and sure enough, it started to leak out where the axle is. They gave up and gave the car back to me.

I am dumbfounded and I have no idea what to do. Does anyone have suggestions????

 

actually i was just reading about your problem in the *** sec, i read that nissan doesnt shim the bearing correct and that it goes out of spec and leaks oil and the bearing needs to be replaced.

 

oh oh...looks like you have to crack open your tranny case. Ming aka MAC had the same problems before. Something to do with shims...i don't remember the exact detail.

 

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02-16-2002 03:29 PM Reply to Post Edit/Delete Message IP: Logged


ericdwong
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My 5 speed transmission is leaking near the CV inputs
There seems to be a problem with the 5 speed 4 gen. Maxima's transmissions. Namely 95-97ish models with around 60,000 miles on them. A common problem is the differential bearings have failed. Seems to be that Nissan/whoever built the tranny did not bother to properly shim the preload of the differential bearings. Tell tale signs of differential bearing failure include:

-leaking seals
-metal shavings in transmission fluid
-play in the CV axle where it enters the transmission
-grinding/whining noises when the car is in motion

You may also have the problem and not show any signs of it. My car did not show any of the above signs, until I opened my transmission for a different project and discovered it. Simply changing the seals is not the answer either, as they will just get stretched again.

The repair bill of this item is very expensive due to labor. Probabaly $800 to well over $1000 for labor charges, to change the $35 bearing(s). The transmission must be taken off the car and disassembled to service. If having somebody else do the service, BE SURE THEY PROPERLY SHIM THE NEW BEARINGS OR ELSE THE PROBLEM WILL CROP UP AGAIN!!! Many times the repair shop will just say "screw it" and not shim the new bearings. This is a great way to put a patch on the wound that will just break again.

"Can I do it myself?" Sure. Just prepared to remove and diassemble the transmission from the car. You will also need a precision dial gauge indicator to properly shim the bearings, a factory service manual, and you will need probably a week to wait for parts to come in. Definately not a job for the amature mechanic.

There is nothing you can do short of crossing your fingers to prevent this from happening, it is a manufacturing defect. Hopefully you will catch it before the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty is up.

references:
www.motorvate.ca
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...ht=transmission
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...ht=transmission
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...ht=transmission
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...mission+bearing
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...mission+bearing


Last edited by mzmtg on 04-11-2002 at 10:22 AM

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That was a strange post..

 

I think he cut and pasted and entire post that Eric made a while ago.

 

This problem might not be that bad. The seal should not be TURNING inside of the case. I made this mistake before, they simply drove it in too far. The seal should be driven so that it just barely is flush with the case. Theres a lip that the seal should rest on. Tell them to do it that way and to refund your $. If it starts leakin again you might have a differential bearing problem.

 

Ok, I will try to do this. They did say that they drove it all the way in to make sure it would seat properly. But just for my reference: If I did have a differential bearing failure/problem, where would it leak from? Thanks again Eric.......