Sometimes when I'm shifting, I cant get the tranny into the next gear. All I get is gears grinding and I have to back off. It's not all the time and only when I'm shifting fast. (And yes I do know how to drive a 5 speed) Anyone else have this problem?

 

do you have redline synthetic, this helps shifting a bit? how about short throw shifter? maybe the clutch is going? precise shifting is a requirnment for speed shifting.whoops i missed second,, whoops i missed third, whoops i missed forth. i practiced a bit, it is a challenge. like stirring stew.

 

Does the transaxle crunch when shifting into any gear, or only certain gears? If only one gear, the synchronizer mechanism on that gear may be worn. If all gears, you may have a dragging clutch. A dragging clutch is one which does not fully disengage, even when the clutch pedal is all the way down.

A failing clutch master cylinder could result in reduced slave cylinder piston travel, and that symptom could be sporadic. In practical terms, that means that even when you have pressed the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, the clutch itself thinks you have the pedal only part-way down.

Verify that your clutch master cylinder is full. Replenish as required.

Verify that your transaxle is full. Replenish as required.

Some Maxima owners report improved shifting characteristics with premium lubricants such as RedLine. Others report stubborn leaks which started immediately after changing to one of these lubricants. My Maxima is still operating on the factory fill.

 

My mechanic checked all that when he replaced it. I'm thinking it may be the sychronizer, because it's at the gear, it just won't engage. It's like something is stopping it. If I let my foot off the gas, and let the car slow down, while still putting pressure on the shifter to go into gear, it will slip in.

 

when u shift fast this happens. did it do it before u put ur new clutch in.?

 

I talked to the last owner, (my brother) and he said he had that problem, as did the first owner. I just didn't know if it was a common problem with 4th gens. One of these days I'm just going to get my tranny and engine rebuilt by my mechanic one day(who happens to also build racecars and Hotrods. God I love him...) and have him go all out with it. That'll fix it.....

 

Hello Daniel Nice too see you on the Maxima BBS used to seeing you on the
Nissan newsgroup,,,

 

Thanks for the nod. You'll still find me at "alt.autos.nissan" and "alt.autos.nissan.maxima". Each forum has its own character. This one leans toward speed, performance, and style modifications. The others are slanted more toward diagnosis and repair. A good bunch of guys participate in each. Enjoy the ride!

 

I have this problem too, but it is normally because I don't put the clutch all the way to the floor before trying to switch gears. Normally I don't have to put the clutch all the way in to switch gears and so I get used to shifting with the clutch at those points. . . When I am accelerating fast, the clutch has to be completely disengaged before I can get it into the next gear.

 

My hypothesis is that the motor, when under peak torque/Hp conditions, is out of alignment w/ the tranny/gears/syncros?

I only notice this shifting problem when I'm trying to pull hard and shift at almost red line.

I'm gonna try the urethene motor mounts soon to see if it helps. Will give results if sucessful. All opinions welcome on this theory.

I personally don't think the synthetic tranny lube helps that much. I had red line MT90 and it felt the same. I switched to a lighter HOnda OEM auto tranny fluid under my mechanic's recommendation, and it felt the same. And that was with my new act clutch in, so I know it was not a worn clutch. My next tranny lude will be a much much lighter weight redline auto tranny fluid to see if there's a difference. (Yes, auto fluid in my manual tranny, it is common place nowdays.)

Does anyone know of people fabricating new motor mounts that are stronger than stock? or car chassis stiffening supports.


Ming

 

Maybe i don't push it in all the way. Thanks for the help....

 

I don't accept your hypothesis. However, even if you are right, changing motor mounts won't help. The engine and transaxle are bolted together into one rigid package. The motor mounts fasten that package to the vehicle body. Stiffer or stronger motor mounts will not influence the relative positions of the engine and transmission components. All you will do is transmit more vibration into the passenger cabin.

 

Mine never refuses to go into gear, but it is pretty "notchy" going into 2nd unless the car has been driven for a long period. I don't get any grinding, but the notchiness can be felt thru the lever. When it comes to WOT runs, I can bang 2nd, 3rd, and 4th with no problems. It's all on how you position you hand on the shifter. I'm sure the notchiness I feeling is the beginnings of a worn syncronizer. I think the problem with you Maxima is the sycronizers. Since 2 and 3 get hit the hardest. After a while, you won't be able to hit any of those gears.

Dave