Y-MAX

I am very happy with the way my 95 SE shifts, very smooth with no grinding. But I do feel quite a lot of vibration on the shifter when driving in gear. Is it normal? I also read a lot about the differential bearing problems in early model trannies which seems unavoidable. My car has 126k and I am wondering what kind of early symptons you can detect on a failing differential bearing. Is there a progression or just gone all of a sudden? Helps me to make financial arrangement in advance.
Thanks for your input.

Wil's95SE

iTrader: (3)

It's hard to tell when or bet yet if your tranny will go out or not. Some 4th gens trannies go out before 100K miles and some go out after that. Some guys never experience the diffy bearing problem at all. The typical problems that occur when the diffy problem happens is a burning smell coming from the tranny area, leakage of fluid, hard to shift (especially into 3rd gear, the weakest gear it seems), and a whiny type noise. The only real way to prepare for it is to either have the money saved to buy a new tranny (preferably one from a 2000-2001 maxima), have the tranny rebuilt (make sure they use the right shims this time, that's the main problem with our trannies) or buy one now and store it. Hope this helps.

MDeezy

iTrader: (27)

from my experiences with the tranny bearing issue it progressive it didnt just hit one day and the car was undrivable, first you'll hear a lot more noise especially in 1st when driving, its like a high pitch whinning, that a good sign the bearings are going. It got to the point for me later when I saw fluids under the car, it was leaking tranny fluid and it was dripping onto the clutch then seaped thru the bottom of the tranny on to the ground.

I always wondered about the shifter feel, it was ultra smooth when I first got the car, then it got bad, then it was super smooth when Ichanged to the Z32 fuel filter, now its kinda shaky, there was a good write up someone did to improve the feel, it was easily and involved duck tape and zip ties, I'll find the link or document when I get home from work and can check on my computer.

I havent heard of the Auto Max's having a bearing problem wonder if this mainly affects the 5-speeders?

MDeezy

iTrader: (27)

found the link


http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=331517

Wil's95SE

iTrader: (3)

I believe it is only 5 speeds. I got leaks now. First it was only drops not it looks like a puddle. Got get her changed soon.

Y-MAX

Cool, MDeezy. I guess I am OK with the shaky shifter as long as it's not a sympton for differential bearing. After driving an Integra GSR for 3 years (vibrated more than Max) I already learned to deal with it.
I guess I am OK for now as far as diff. bearing is concerned. No leaking, no burning smell, no noise in 1st gear. I do have a faint whining in 5th gear but only on highway cruising and only when the car heats up(don't if it's tranny, tire or wheel bearing). It's been discussed a few days with no conclusion. A myth, I guess.