I have a quick questions. I just got back from looking at a 1995 Max SE 5-speed with 155k miles on it. The owner showed me some of the records and just had a new Nissan clutch put on the car a few months ago at the dealer. When you start to give the car gas and let the clutch out and the car just starts to move, there was a slight low rumbling noise thats sounds like the clutch or transmission. Its not super loud, but I noticed it. I mentioned it to the owner and he said the car as always done that and that even passengers who have ridden in the car over the years have mentioned the noise. He is the original owner and he seemed real honest about everything with the car.

Are the 5-speed trannys a bit louder when compared to the autos? I've driven several auto maximas/I30s but never a 5-speed so this slight gear noise might indeed be normal. But I don't know Nissans that well.

I know there is an issue with the diff bearings going bad on 95-97 Max 5-speed, but I looked under the car where the inner CVs go into the tranny and it looked dry.

I appreciate any advice.

 

im having that same noise when taking off after replacing my clutch with an oem one at nissan. i asked the master tech and he said it was normal in the 95-96 model because the trannys had some bugs that they fixed on the 97-99. bearings are louder in the 95-96 because the way they are shaped and dont get enough lubrication from tranny fluid. so bearings are the main reason why the 95-96 trannys are more delicate

 

Hmmmm......so should I worry about something like this? Anyone else have any ideas or experience with this some called noise?

I last thing I want to do is buy the car and the transmission be dead in 5k miles or something like that. But if the noise is normal, then I won't worry about it.

 

Mine does it and i gave a 2001 tranny in my 97 . I dont think nothing of it.

 

That's crazy, I've never heard of that before, but sure enough, FAST shows:

02/95 - 01/95
01/95 - 11/95
07/96 - 12/98
12/98 +



All of the bearings are the same, all the gears in the input and main shafts are the same, everything except the diffs:

 

So would the noise be normal then? Anyone else with experience with this noise in their 5-speed trannys?

 

 

hehe....kzoosho, I saw your reply. I just want more people to agree that the noise is indeed normal.

 

Im just messing with ya man. But my old non lsd tranny did the same thing. Now i have a 2001 AE tranny and it sings like a choir.

 

i have a 96 VLSD.. it wines in 1,2, a little in 3rd..

 

Well, its not a whining noise while driving. It sounds like a low rumbling noise once the clutch engages and the car start to move and once the car gets going a few miles per hour, it goes away. Its not like a roaring noise on the highway or anything. Just when you start to pull away from a light or such.

 

That sounds like a wheel bearing

 

No, I'm pretty sure its not a wheel bearing.

 

Maybe a tob. There are so many variables there. it its there while the clutch is out then it could be a tob. But once its pressed i dont know.

 

It might be a tob. But the sounds like only there when you start to pull away from a light. Not when shifting gears or anything.

Doesn't the dealership install a new tob when they do a clutch kit?

Again, this noise might just be a normal sound that Maxima 5-speed trannys make and nothing wrong, but I'm not familiar with the 5-speed maximas at all. It was the first one I drove.

 

Anyone else? I'm going to call a Nissan tech tomorrow and ask them about it

 

Damn it, you beat me to it!

 

Yes, i have a 95 also and I get that noise, and I had new clutch installed in April. This guy I know had a 96 and it did the same before he decided to run it into an old school monte carlo.

 

Please elaborate. I've not noticed any difference between the bearings or oil guides before.

To the OP: if you want to sure of the tranny (and I recommend it), get under the tranny and lift the driver side axle stub where it enters the tranny. Lift it up and down - if there is any play that allows you to move the diff within the tranny, there is advanced bearing wear. A tiny amount of play between the axle and diff is normal (and I mean tiny). But if you can move anything big inside that tranny it's a problem, oil leak or not.

Dave

 

Good point dgeesaman. The owner offered that I could have the car checked out so I will check the tranny more closely if I do.

 

I've got a '97 with a new clutch. Always has that low rumble (which actually sounds kinda nice). Never had a problem, though. I think it's normal.