I just bought a beautiful 95 5spd from an ad in classifieds. I also sold my 1991 sr20det Sentra back to the original seller.

I am wondering if there is anything to make the shifting smoother. I was very tempted to go with a honda/acura product due to a more smooth transmission, but I had to stick with my Nissan roots (the turbo Sentra was a lot of fun but wanted something more professional). The shifting is particularly bad when shifting into 3rd and 4th gear, with vibration being present while trying to put it into gear. The notchiness and vibration can be avoided by shifting quickly and hard, and also pushing the clutch all the way to the floor (I was pushing it far enough to disengage).

I've thought of Redline tranny fluid, but any other options? I really love everything about the max except the tranny. If I could go hybrid with a honda tranny I think I would be perfectly content. My Sentra had smoother shifting and it did have redline tranny fluid, but I know that is a different transmission. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

bump please help!!

 

Anyone? I would really appreciate help.

 

Are you on crack buddy?

 

Redline fluid will help. Do you have a short-shifter?

 

No not yet. I am thinking about it, but I know sometimes a shorter throw can exacerbate the problem further.

Does anyone else have a bit of vibration going into 3rd and 4th gear respectively? Thanks for the help man.

 

Possibly a clutch. my moms maxima did that when her clutch was about to go.

 

That's weird because the clutch was just replaced by a dealer... the seller even had the papers of proof. Maybe it was adjusted incorrectly. Hmmmm

 

Yes it will only get worse with a short shifter.

 

Hondas shift alot harder than my car does. My wifes Accord feels like it has a factory drop resistor mod........

 

I think he's talking 5 speed, not auto ohannon7. But yeah hondas and geo's and low end toyotas are notorious for hard shifting auto trannies.

 

You guys wonna a hard shifting auto tranny, you should take a spin in my friends 97 tracer, in low rpms it shifts hard enought to spill your drink from the cup.

 

How many miles are on the transmission?

 

I knew that

 

Ummmm a little over 150,000

I figured that I'd have to put up with the wear, but I didn't know if there was anything I could do to help it.

And yes it is a 5speed.

 

I don't think it really matter on tranny or how old it is, if you shift slower and disangage clutch good it shouldn't jerk or anything. But your clutch could be slipping...

 

Alright the check engine light just went off also!! I ran the codes... THANKYOU SO MUCH for everyone who contributed to the starting and reading of the codes.

I got the rear heated O2 sensor and the knock sensor. The mechanic at Lancaster Nissan was very helpful and said that the knock sensor isn't that big of a deal. I'm trying to decide if I want Lancaster Nissan to do the job or if I should. Its a 306.67 total for the O2 so I think I'll do it myself. I assume its ok to reset the ecu even though I haven't fixed it again correct? I'm just glad its nothing too serious.

 

The problem is not really jerking... its tranny notchiness when I'm shifting between the gears. The clutch in fact engages wonderfully, almost a little too grippy. But I'd rather have that for sure haha. My turbocharged sentra liked to slip a lot and its nice have something grippy.

 

I had the same complaint regarding the notchy transmission. I changed to Amsoil but Redline is just as good. This helped tremendously, the best thing that I have ever done for the car. I didn't get a short shifter due to it making the shift even worse. So, in my opinion I would keep it stock.

 

IIRC, the O2 sensor code will set off the knock sensor code. Try replacing the O2 sensor, resetting the ECU, then see if the knock sensor code comes back.

 

Synthetics will help alot to get the tranny smoother. But NOTHING will get the tranny to shift like a Honda. I've driven GSRs etc and Honda makes a nice shifting manual.

 

Not even energy suspension shifter stabilizer bushings??

 

Nope. At least not like my bro's GSR. The shifts were short, smooth, positive and fast. Nissan trannys shift, long,notchy,rubbery and slow. You can only polish a turd so much. You really don't know how average the maxima tranny is until you drive a car with a really nice one

 

knock sensor is $90 shipped on ebay

 

Tell that to the RSX guys

Shifting technique can help deal with the notchiness too, along with synthetic gear oil as already suggested. 3-4 has been a nice, easy shift to me ever since I got used to the angle of the lever and stopped subliminally trying to tug it a little to the left when pulling down.

These days I flip my hand over and put my palm over the top of the shifter, and just push straight down. That or going straight down with your elbow resting on the middle of the center console seems to make it easier. My 2-3 and 3-4s are nice. It's that 1-2 where the notchiness becomes a bit annoying.

 

After I checked the codes and reset the ecu, there is no check engine light. I checked out the O2 sensor, and the wire coming from the sensor is kind of hanging, so I think fording snow piles might have contributed to that. Now my ABS light came on, but I think that might have to do with hard use in the snow.

Concerning the shifting... I am slowly getting used to it. I will definately replace with redline mt90 and does anyone know a source for an es shifter bushing? My sentra shifting was just about as good as a prelude tranny I tried out and it had the bushing so I think I'll go with that. I've driven a GSR and prelude and the prelude was nicer.

Stock Nissan shifting isn't stellar, but with the right modifications it can be almost as good. Thanks for the help everyone.