im thinking about getting a 97-99 maxima 5spd, BUTTTT.. ive heard about people on here having problems w/ their bearings going out and having to either get a new tranny or rebuild theres. BIG BUCKS IN MY BOOK... Can someone please tell me how bad and often this problem occurs?? is it just something that happens to all maximas or the ones that get beat up?? if this turns out bad, im getting another accord!!

thanks
Cris

 

Others may tell you otherwise, but it seems to happen to alot of people. It happens to people who beat the F outta their car (me) to people who baby it. I have 2 transmissions and in those 2 transmissions the shims (which have a .0015" tolerance btw) were EXACTLY THE SAME! Quality control at its best.

I say a new bearing problem crops up at least once every 2 weeks here on this forum alone. The parts are cheap to replace but the labor sux.

 

I've had the problem once. And I doubt many people have had it more than that. If you find one that has already had the repairs done or if the car is still under warranty, then you should be fine. A maxima is well worth the one of few flaws that the car has.

 

I have a '97 and had a re-build at 70K miles becuase I blew out third gear by missing a shift. All of my bearings we perfect at 70K. The bearing problem only seems to be in cars that were built between 95 and EARLY 97 (mine was built late 97)...so if you get a 98 or later 5-speed max you should be fine.

 

Its the Differential bearing that is the problem. I have a 98 and still had the problem. I think it's all 4th gens.

 

so how expensive is it to fix this??

 

If you can't do it yourself, a minimum of $600.

 

I'm payin $200 for the bearings (replacing all four). And another $200 to my mechanic. He is also putting in my ACT clutch that just arrived today changing my drivers side drive shaft and putting new boots on both cv joints in front. All for the $200. He is a good friend and it REALLY helps having someone like this around.

 

so a minimum of 600. to be honest that is kinda a lot of money. think i may lean more towards the accord now.

so how often does this problem occur, and why doesnt nissan do a recall for it??

 

I can only assume Nissan doesn't want the expense to do a recall. Not that they couldn't afford it, but they are probable avoiding the hassle as well. Yes $600 dollars is a lot of money, but I would not let that steer you in the direction of the Accord. In my opinion the Maxima has so much more potential and is an all around better car. It all comes down to what you really want though. I have always been a Maxima enthusiast. Think of the $600 dollars as part of the purchase price for the Maxima! Not everyone has problems with their transmissions anyway. Just some of us are unluckier than others. I am in the process of changing my transmission for the second time. But I will admit, I drive the **** out of my car and have fun doing it. Are my problems due to the fact that I floor the gas everytime I drive the car? Probably. It costs me money, and although I regret having to spend the money to fix things, it is something I am willing to do to keep my Max running good. When my car is running well with everything working properly (which is most of the time) it makes all the time and money I've spent worthwhile. Good luck which ever way you go!

 

The bearings went on my 98 at 120K miles. My tranny was whining like crazy, but the tranny was still fully operational. I had the bad tranny replaced with a used 99 5-speed one and put in an ACT clutch.

DW

 

111K on mine (95 Max GXE 5 speed) and all is fine. Only changed O2 sensor and ects sensor. Owned the car since new. My wife even learned how to drive a stick on this car and I hit 6000 rpm all the time. However, I have always driven manuals and shift smoothly.

 

I bought my '98 SE 5spd in January with 79k miles on it. I took it to a mechanic before I bought it, and he said there was fluid leaking from the tranny. There was also a slight grinding sound that I didn't notice myself until he said something. I decided to go ahead and buy it since it was a great deal, plus I got the dealer to knock off even more because of the problem. After driving back home (from TX to AL!), the grinding had definitely increased. I took it to my mechanic, who pulled the tranny out and gave it to the transmission shop next door.

The bill ended up being between $900 and $1000 total. All that was replaced was bearings. Everything else appeared fine. I could be wrong about this, but I think my mechanic said 7 bearings were replaced.

I haven't had any problems after the rebuild (about 6k miles driven). I've been happy with my max since. Good luck regardless of what kind of car you get.

 

Despite my tranny issue, I would stil get the Maxima over a Honda simply b/c they are the only carmaker the mates a 5-speed/6speed manual to a high power V6 at a reasonable price. BMWs, Audi's etc offer it as well, but I did say reasonably priced and I guess I should add reasonably maintainable, too. Presently Honda does not do that, only offering 5 speed manuals with their 4 bangers. But times are a changing, the Acura CL-S finally has a 6 speed manual, so that tranny will probably trickle down thru the Acura/Honda lineup. We'll see.

DW

 

I had a '98 Civic that cost almost $400 to make pass emissions. Stupid thing had a rare oxygen sensor because it was a lean burn engine. That is something I consider expensive, especially since I bought the car as a reliable commuter car. Sold that POS and kept the Max. No planes on buying a Honda again. Rice boys can have 'em.

 

well ill be honest and say that i have owned hondas for 5 years and love them. IM NOT A RICE BOY EITHER. i kepy my cars clean and simple. i do love the styling of the max and the V6 w/ a 5spd. im not much on speed but its nice to have the power. damn this is a hard choice. any other comments on the bearing thing??

 

I think you will find this very helpful!

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=transmission

 

My 1997 has 148,000+ miles and no probs with the tranny except a small leak at the reverse/neutral switch.

I do a lot of freeway, but also run the car very hard occasionally. I've done my share of hard launches with axles hop and all (really hard on the drive train). I ship at redline/rev limiter on occasion when I'm running someone. I shift very smooth when I'm driving normal yet I don't shift smooth when I'm running hard (I can get the car to spin the tires into third). I've ground gears many times from letting the clutch out too fast on shifts, pulled the lever out of gear during autocrosses by putting too much pressure on the shifter, etc...

Only check engine light problems I've had have been the O2 sensors, which normally need replacement around 115k miles, and the evap control valve, which I still need to change (like $90 part, and labor is like 15 minutes of own time, it's easy to get to). AC doesn't blow too cold as compressor is worn (auto climate control system keeps compressor running most of the time, and with this mileage, it's been running a long time!)

No problems with brakes or steering. Doesn't leak any fluids or oils including engine oil, ps fluid, etc... Everything works except the AC isn't as cold as it should be as mentioned above.

Go for the Max! I have other cars, and most any car out there has it's quirks.

-V

 

FOR THE LAST TIME....and this has been stressed MANY times....bearing wear in the trans has absoutely NOTHING to do with how hard you drive your car.....bearings will only wear out with VERY excessive mileage or IMPROPER shimming.


Go for the 5-speed max....I'm sure that a similar accord has some shortfalls in design that could end up costing you money too....plus if you're going for a V6 accord, they only come in auto...and honda's auto trannies aren't exactly the best....

 

Okay, the rice boy thing was a little out of line.

I have had 2 Civics, both were babied commuter cars and both caused me major headaches. On the other hand, my Maxima is nowhere's near stock and is beaten on repeatedly and it has held up better than anything else I have owned. This is my third Nissan that has been easy to maintain and reliable.

 

you do have a point about the newer honda autos. ive hears some bad things about them. so does anyone know a ball park figure as to how much it costs to get ti fixed??

also before i by any car i do plan to have it looked at by a mechanic, preferably the a dealership.

thanks

 

a ballpark on an auto tranny re-build is $1500-$2000....if that's what you were asking.

 

i was talking about the 5spd's and their bearing problems

 

Around $1000-1400. To replace the bearings, you have to re-build the tranny. The bearings don't even cost that much, like $40-50. It's the labor that kills you in cost.

DW

 

damn that is alot of money!!!