Hi everyone, I have done my research and I am well aware of the differential bearing preload defects from the factory causing the bearings to wear out pre-maturely.

I suspect I might have this problem, but I am worried it could be more serious.


First off, when I start the car with the clutch in everything sounds fine. When I take my foot off the clutch with it in neutral, I hear a whining, whirring noise. When I drive the car I hear a speed and gear dependent whine which sounds the same except it gets worse with speed.

For example, as I accelerate in first gear the pitch gets higher and it gets louder, when I shift into second it drops and then gets louder and higher pitched as I accelerate. The noise difference per gear is speed dependent on the gear, not the engine, so if I put the clutch in and shift between second and third gear while keeping the clutch in, it sounds different between the gears.

To me this sounds like as anything in the transmission rotates it makes this nasty sound, so what I figured was that I had the differential bearing problem and all my gear oil leaked out. I checked it, not the case. The oil is in good condition and at the right level.

Does anyone know what this could be? And BTW, it does not appear as if I am leaking oil from the differential where the CV axles connect.

 

Bump. Anyone?

 

Ok, here is an update, I checked and I think I do have the bearing problem, moreso on the drivers side. I have a bit of play in the CV axle where it meets the transmission and some slight oil leakage around there.

The one thing about this problem that worries me is that I hear a noise at a dead stop when I take my foot off the clutch in neutral and that when in motion I have whine that is gear dependent. If it was the diff bearings I wouldn't hear any of that, especially at a dead stop right?

 

well I can say, you need to replace your bearings.

 

Diffy bearings and imput shaft bearings, throw out bearing is probably loose as well.

 

Youch. Do you guys think this is a job I could probably tackle myself or do I need a lot of special tools and stuff you think?

 

Curious, where's your location?
Dr J

 

Yep it sounds like my symptomes about a year ago and cost me $2000 for all new bearings replaced.

 

Wow ... I saved $2k doing my trans myself! NICE!!!!

Check my sig ... see the link! Sounds like the IPS bearing is gone or real close. The trans sounds like it should be in a touring car, right? lol So did mine ... but not no more!

 

Denver Colorado

Yikes. Did you replace it when the noise got fairly bad or did something physically stop working?

Yep, it sounds like a touring car with straight cut gears, in second gear it isn't too bad, and I don't really hear it too too much in 3rd 4th and 5th. First gear though, whoa I feel like im lapping the nurburgring in an m3 GTR or something lol.

I will def. check out that guide out though. Hopefully I can get through this summer before I have to start working on it.

 

You don't want it to get to the point of it stopping working. Then you risk much more **** going wrong, like sheering teeth. Don't recall who it was exactly that had the IPS splines rip off and they had to replace the whole IPS itself. Not cheap to do, and MUCH more work than just doing bearings / seals. Don't let it go if it's making noise, you'll be sorry you did.

 

Mine makes the same noise. on top of alot of jolting at low speeds and other stuff that may or may not be related.

but if im at a fast food drivethrough and I let off the clutch I also hear that whirring noise your talking about (sounds like a bunch of real loose ball bearings)...its bad and now i've decided to do the rebuild. Jtzmax was nice enough to do a write up and all that so its definitely do-able if you have the will-power and maybe a few tools.

 

It is your input shaft bearing not differential bearings nor throwout bearing.
$2k for a rebuild is completely outrageous so don't take that as a "normal" rebuild rate. You can actually purchase a brand new transmission from nissan for $1600. An average rebuild on this trans is usually about $800. $600 to $1000 is what I'd consider the "normal" range.

You can have a trans shop rebuild it and probably pay the prices I listed above, you can try to do it yourself if you think you have the ability (it's not hard but does require time, patience, and some specialized tools) or you ca replace the trans. You obviously have the option of a brand new one for about $1600, a junkyard trans (the condition of which you won't have any idea unless you open it up and inspect it) or you can buy a rebuilt trans from someone like dgeesaman who I believe still rebuilds these transmissions. I used to rebuild them myself but I haven't had time lately to put any together. I've got 3 sitting here all taken apart, but don't have the time nor motivation to put them back together and sell them right now.

 

You mean the RS6F51H?





Makes a nice paperweight now, at least.

 

wow i pray to god mine doesnt look like that^^ although it probably does.

 

Meh, the cage is still there though, that's weaksauce

I'm in the same boat as nealoc, 3 open difs and one lsd stuffed in the corner with no time.

 

Yup ... that's the one Pmohr!


Glad mine looked ok!


Pmohr for President 08' !!!!!!

 

That's what 10 or 15 back to back 0-60 tests do...as well as 2-stepping it in reverse.

Don't ask.

 

so how much did that cost to replace? or did you just scrap the whole tranny

 

Contact dgeesaman; I got a really good price on a rebuilt 5 speed from him--he shipped it across the country and it still cost less than the cheapest used tranny i could find. Good guy to deal with and he knows about the diff carrier bearing issues.

Trying to get better 60' times?

 

you can not buy a brand new transmission from nissan for $1600. I had all my bearings replaced, clutch and cv boots for $2000 thats parts and labor, thats not outrageous, but I should have clearified what I had done. If I could go back I would rebuild mine myself insead of paying some one but I was young when it happened, rebuilt is the way to go. Buying a junkyard trans would not be a smart idea.

 

sounds and looks like a scary/tricky job.

 

I didn't know you could still get brand new transmissions from Nissan for 4th gens. Would it be possible to get this and drop it right in? http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasit...784_1851_1864&

 

if I had the money to buy a new tranny I'd get one from nissan in a heartbeat. I just dropped my tranny (literally ) im about to open it up.

 

You most certainly could buy them for $1600 back 6 months ago - I priced them when I was actively rebuilding these transmissions because my need for new parts was such that it was almost beneficial to just buy an entire new trans from nissan and cannibalize the parts I needed from it to replace the worn out parts in multiple used transmissions. Now with the falling dollar compared to the Yen it appears that they've gone to about $1900. I'm looking at the price list I got late last year right now, $1650 before any discounts.

For a simple trans rebuild, $2000 is absolutely outrageous - I've rebuilt tons of them - I more than anyone should know. However as you just stated you didn't give the whole story, you had your clutch and CVs replaced. While still a ripoff, it's not as bad as a simple rebuild for $2000 which was the impression you gave before when you'd posted earlier.

 

Us? ~$200 for the IPS, plus bearings, syncros, etc. Wasn't too bad...~$400 in total I believe.

Heh, more for the fun of it. I heard the two step, and saw reverse lights...knew it wouldn't turn out well.

 

Just curious what is a two step?

I don't see how 10 back to back 0-60 runs would do that. I didn't think metal needed to "sit down and take a breather" I would assume 10 runs back to back is probably the same wear on the tranny as 10 runs in 10 years.

Either way, yikes...I most definitely will be careful with the clutch and make sure not to shift too too quickly.

 

i see i see. im trying to open my tranny and assess the damage but one of these damn detent ***** wont come out.

 

Classic symptom of input shaft bearing damage.

To fix it you need to pull the tranny apart. Definitely going to rebuild the rest of the bearings at that point.

Dave

 

Does anyone know a good place to get a rebuild kit for a 97 m/t? I was looking at this place http://www.drivetrain.com/nissanRS5F50Afwd5sp.html but the years only go from 85 to 96. Would this work in a 97, I thought they had the same transmission??

 

MRK100655 looks like the right kit for bearings/seals, but you should call to check.

The reason their listing ends at -96 is probably because the 97+ have different synchros. But the bearings/seals are the same up to 2000.

 

I can do them for slightly cheaper than that, they are the same kit, I am out now but will have a few in stock on thursday if you want to give me a call then.

 

i have very loud gear noise but only when i have a gear engaged. also when i let of the throttle in gear it gets really loud and if i put it in gear at a 10mph or higher roll, start to let off the clutch and pick up engine rpms the gears make the worst noise. it sounds like something is stripped right out. any gear does it but i also noticed that i can now put my car i 1st gear at a 30mph roll. i know that i should not be able to do that.

 

Yikes, that does not sound good at all. To get mine into first without double clutching, I have to be going 5 mph or less.

That is nuts, I have never heard of being able to stick it in first gear unless you have triple cone synchros. Normally when something is going in the transmission it doesn't make it EASIER to get into gear. Then again, I don't know a lot about manual transmissions.


BTW, on the topic of this, I am probably going to rebuild mine by the end of the summer. Where is a good place to get input shaft bearings, differential bearings, and the proper shims for those diff bearings? Also while I am at it, should I do output shaft bearings or is that something that doesn't wear out as easilly? I rarely hear of output shaft bearings going.

 

Output shaft bearings ??? I got my kit (complete seals and bearings (IPS, MS, and Diff) from GT Transmission. Can't recall the mates name, Gary maybe? Check my sig for a write up and links to the FSM and GT Trans. I need to edit my write up for the diff shims - how to. I will try to get that done asap. As for the shims on the diff ... Nissan They are special order so unless you luck out and they have them in stock, you'll have to wait a few days on them. The seals came in the kit, IPS, rod selector, and axle seals. Make sure you note which seal is which on the axle (pass is a bit smaller IIRC). I want to say my total kit cost around $200 or close to it. Good people at GT Trans! You more than likely will not need to do anything regarding the IPS shims, but the diff you will. The kit did not come with syncroz either .... so if you need them, you might price them too.

 

I just picked up a 96 max and with 215,000 on current set up, I picked up a used motor from work ( salvage yard Johns Auto Parts in Blaine, MN) for $100. I have been reading on here since i got the car. I'm just making sure everything works (started SUPER HARD) changed a bunch of things and finally a new starter made things LOTS better. But anyway, I'm gonna swap out the motor and while i have it out i'm going to open my tranny and rebuild it. Do you have the kits for a 96? If so How much to Blaine mn. 55434. I appreciate all of the help from everyone. If you ever need something, shoot me an email jeffh@johnsauto.com or give me a call at 612-369-5685, and I will do what I can to help out.

Thanks again.

Jeff