over 15 thousand miles ago I rebuilt my transmission with brand new bearings, etc. I have recently noticed quite a loud IPS bearing noise (goes away when clutch pedal pressed in)....How is this possible? I did the proper shim measurements and everything.
maybe its low on oil?? is it possible that filling it would cure the noise?

I recently saw something where someone used a phantom grip (different application) and they said that they modified something or other, with the surface of the gear that the phantom grip mounts to which made it "fail-proof" or something along those lines. What is it exactly that makes the phantom grip such a bad product?

 

Have you checked the oil level? First thing to do if you suspect it being low.

Google around just a bit, you'll find numerous explanations on the failings of PG kits.

Ex: http://www.google.com/search?client=...utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

well i guess what I should have asked was...is the noise completely representational of failing IPS bearings? I'm going to fill it up regardless (i know its probably low). To me it just seems like they are loud because they are DRY or something.

okay okay...I'm coming to terms with it...they are probably shot.

 

No, the noise is not completely representational of failing IPS bearings. It could be the IPS bearings, then again it could also be the sound of an unlubricated transmission. Easy way to rule it out? Make sure the transmission is topped off with GL4. If it still makes the noise, it obviously is not lubrication and must be the IPS bearings.

Hopefully that is all it is, but you never know. Good luck man.

 

IPS shot ... again, really?

I think the only way to have it go bad so soon would be: run it low on gear oil, sketchy bearings to begin with, or way impropper shimming of the IPS. It may be something else as well ... possibly a clutch issue perhaps.

Something I notice after my rebuild (now that it has some miles on it) is that it is a bit noisey, but I don't feel there is anything wrong with it. Mostly, I think it's the diff bearings being noisey but for all I know, it may be a hub issue. Haven't looked at it close enough to really diagnose it.

Check / fill the fluid and see if the sound disapates (goes away). A typical sound for a trans with low gear oil is more of a 'screem' if you will .... like a touring car! lol That straight cut gear sound. I think it's because they get so hot (not being lubed throughly if low on oil). If that happens, well .... Pmohr can post some pix!

 

yeah i think I may have run it low. Now I fear that I've destroyed them. We'll see if the noise goes away after I top it off later tonight. The tranny was considerably quieter after my rebuild, I only recently noticed the noise of the IPS bearings. I guess its okay as long as they last until I put in my new flywheel etc.

I'd rather know it was due to my mistake than something off the wall like bad bearings or something.

 

The phantom grip mounts on the diff. The input shaft is on the other end of the transaxle. I can think of little correlation between the two.

Low oil is one thing to look for, but I would also drain a small sample to see how the existing oil appears. You don't want to see glittery bits of metal in the oil.

Dave

 

lol...I am aware of that. They were separate questions. I was just thinking of things to do while/when/if I replace the bearings.

 

If you post a link to this phantom grip mod I'll happily look into it. I design gear drives for a living so I might be able to say something useful about whether I would have done that mod on my own car.

 

+1 - In for the pics!

 

Here's a good look at it - http://z31.com/mods/drivetrain/phantomgrip/

 

heres a dumb question...could I buy a new VLSD unit and put it into my open diff. transmission or is the case different?

 

Housings are different. Only the 6MT can swap between open/HLSD (bastards).

 

Yup ... Pmohr is right. The VLSD diff has one bearing the same as a non-locking diff, but the other side (drivers side IIRC) is much larger. Also, diff axles too.

 

http://www.phantomgrip.com/catalog/p...6a9bfb6b85546b

their products seem verryyy generic. they call that the " ALL YEARS NISSAN (R180 DIFF)
$349.95"

and then below it they have one specifically for 00-03 maximas....even though 00-01 shared trannies with 95-99