I had the Quaife installed a couple weeks ago, along with a new clutch and aluminum flywheel. The car handles great, but my shifter has been very difficult to shift ever since the moment I got it back. I thought maybe things would loosen up after a few days, but no...

When I upshift, it is *very difficult* to get the shifter to engage the next gear. And the harder I accelerate, the more difficult it is to upshift. And the warmer the car is, the harder it is to upshift. Sometimes I have to search and search to "find" the next gear.

Downshifts are OK, but just OK. And shifting from 3rd to 4th and from 4th to 3rd is strange. I can't feel the shifter "popping" out of one gear and into the next.

I have been driving sticks for over 25 years, and I have been driving this car for almost 7 years, now. (I don't think it's me...) What is going on, here? Can someone please diagnose the problem and suggest a remedy? Thanks as always...

 

Oh my lord that sux. I can think of a few things, since I was inside my transmission putting in a Quaife. I have yet to have any troubles aside from a still leaky reverse light switch. i do recall that you had somebody else do the install. Lets go from easiest to most difficult. Have you tried changing out the fluid? Make sure it is 75-w90 GL4 (NOT GL5). Check the content of the fluid, make sure there isnt any shavings inside. Aside from that theres the possiblity that something went wrong inside, from a bad job install. It is possible that too much sealant was used and now this extra sealant got stuck on the shifting parts. Even worse, is if something was put back together incorrectly, especially one of the 8 steel check ***** (what holds the trany in a certain gear), or a spring. The transmission is pretty idiot proof in terms of how things can go, but theres always the possibilty of human error, especially since the guys workin on it knew it wasnt their car.

I seriously doubt the Quaife itself is at fault for the stiff shifting. Just by where it is placed within the transmission in relation to any shifting components. It seems like something was messed up with the install, whether it was minor of incorrect oil, or major like missing components or misplaced components. Best of luck to you.

 

I wanted to first give you my .02 cents and then ask you a couple of questions. I don't know much about the mechanics involved w/ the tranny but you mentioned you got a new flywheel. With that in mind, I know people say the engine brakes more in between shifts since there is no heavier flywheel trying to keep it spinning. That apparently can make matching the engine rpm w/ the gear a little clunky. Is that maybe the problem? Maybe when they re-installed the tranny the shift control rod got bent, or over tightened? I would think you could take it back to the install shop and ask them? I'm done guessing, and hopefully didn't waste your time.
Now for my questions: What kinda clutch did you get and aside from the problem you've indicated, how do you like the feel of the new fw? I'm jealous of the ls diff too.

 

My guess from reading about so many Maxima's 5 speeds blowing bearings is that your mechanic didn't shim the trans. correctly. I read on Motorvate that this causes a hard shift. If your transmission isn't shimmed correctly, bearings will be to tight and will fail in a short time.

Go back to the shop and ask them if they measured the preload on the transmission correctly. I beet you this IS your problem. You have way to much preload on the transmission.

Get this fixed fast or you will be rebuliding your transmission again.

 

Well that blows but I guess you can only get better b/c once you fix it you will have a bad as$ tranny set up. Good luck.

 

Dumb question maybe, but I am just trying to learn here. What is a Quaife?

SuDZ

 

Is the shifting hard with the engine stopped and the clutch pedal out? If it is, it's tranny related. If not, your clutch is the problem.

 

Quaife, not to be confused with a queef, is a company and they produce limited slip differentials.

 

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Cool thanks.

SuDZ

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

So, back to the Nissan dealership it goes. I look forward to having this condition corrected ASAP.

The Cattman engine mounts, Quaife LSD, JWT Stage II clutch, and the Stillen aluminum flywheel work well with my upgraded tires, wheels, and suspension components. The car feels planted in the twisties. It inspires great confidence. The power transfer from side-to-side is completely seamless, yet the sensation of the car pulling itself through the corners is wonderfully apparent. Today was the first time I drove the new set-up in the rain. I'm glad for the extra margin of safety the Quaife LSD affords when I'm not driving like an idiot...

The car handles SO much better than stock, it's amazing. My car is a true stealthy urban assault vehicle. The car looks stock, if one does not notice the subtle cues that hint at my tweakings: GReddy cat-back exhaust, shaved trunk, lower stance, very little body roll.

When I punch it, the car leaps forward. The car pulls to redline in every gear smoothly and quickly. When I enter the freeway, it's hard to keep the car under the speed limit. Occasionally, a stock Maxima pulls up close behind to tailgate; However, it usually doesn't last beyond the first tight curve. I hit the gas hard going in, and the Quaife just pulls me around. The stockers usually hit the brakes at their first sign of impending disaster, oftentimes coming out of the curve askew and out-of-control! Is it wrong for me to spank them so vigorously and repeatedly?

Next: Nitrous oxide...

 

Just wondering, I have a leaky reverse/neutral switch as well. It seems to seep from out from around the switch between the metal and the plastic. I bought a new switch, but the wiring run is a b*tch (it runs through the engine mount)! So I took the o-ring from the new switch and put it in the old switch, yet it still leaks. Still haven't figured out what to do yet... Any ideas would be cool. Thanks.

-V

btw, could the hard shifting be caused by air in the clutch line and/or low fluid level?