I just picked up a 97 SE 5-speed this weekend. 3 things I noticed about the tranny which I don't know if its normal for the Maxima (First time I've driven a manual Max, but I've had a 95 GLE and several manual cars before this).

1) When cold, the shifter tends to "stick" for a second or so if you move it left/right from neutral before it springs back. When the car warms up, this goes away.

2) Only in first gear, I hear a slight gear whine (similar to reverse, but not nearly as loud). Once I shift into second, this disappears.

3) When starting from a stop in first gear, I hear a slight grinding noise when the clutch reaches its friction point (while slipping in the clutch). At first I thought it may be the throw-out bearing, but this noise isn't there when shifting into other gears while moving. Even if I shift into 2nd at 5 mph, the slight grinding noise/sensation is non-existent.

The car only has 49,000 miles on it, and the clutch was replaced 2 years ago or so (according to the previous owner). I thought the first 2 things would possibly go away after I did a gear oil flush, which I did this weekend using Redline MT-90 but both are still there.

It's possible that these things are somewhat common for this car, but I tend to be very over-sensitive to noises and such with my cars so I figure you guys/gals could tell me if you've experienced the same things.

TIA!

 

I do get a 1st gear whine. It's quite noticable on mine, but seems to work fine anyways. I'm also getting the shifter-sticking. The clutch pedal does it too when it's really cold.

 

My car does the exact same thing

 

as far as I know it's normal. I have it too.

 

as far as I know it's normal. I have it too.

 

as far as i know all of the above are normal. I don't think the 1st gear whine is noticeable, but it could be there.

 

I have all of those but #1, but i live in Cali so its never very cold.

 

mine does the exact same thing bro, clutch pedal sticks alittel along iwth nueteal, only when its cold though, i think it is just our cars, i also get the whine in first, it gets worse as rpm's go up.

 

Mines does whine but i dont notice the grinding sound when starting from first. I'll try to listen for it today...
coming from a honda this maxima tranny is crap

 

everything seems normal

 

Thanks! Its good to know that this is normal for the car... Comming from other 5-speed cars (including a 94 Sentra SE-R) that didn't exhibit any of the above behavior, I was beginning to thing there was something wrong w/ the gearbox (even though the car is very smooth while driving).