On my new 04 SE 6sp - i find the shifter extremely "clunky" or "notchy" - not smooth at all. Anyone else with this problem? & is there a fix for it? I don't see any TSB's addressing this as a problem.

 

That's the nature of Nissan's cable shifters. Sentras and Altimas have the same crappy shifter.

 

well that just sux. Anything I can do to make it smoother?

 

Welcome to the wonderfull world of the VQ, mated to not-so wonderful manual trannies (cable or rod linkage). If you want to get a smooth shifting manual get a Bimmer.

The GT-R's weakness will be the shifter linkage if Nissan does not outsource it, as it's doing with the VQ and the suspension...

 

It is clunky unless you take it to 4000rpm`s before each shift....

I`m hoping there will be a Short Shifter on the market and perhaps that will improve the shift. It probably won`t because of the cable set up. The G35, being a RWD, doesn`t have this problem.

 

Yeah, my mother's Ford Focus has a smoother shifter than my Max. It's ridiculous.

-Nate

 

They got problems. Nissan is replacing a lot of manual trannies. Hell, even the Road & Track long term test 350Z needed a new transmission! "If the gearbox worked better it would enhance the driving experience." Thos L. Bryant, Editor-in-Chief. November 2004 Issue

BTW, don't kid yourself about the STS being some sort of snake oil for the tranny.

 

My 1-2 shift is a bit notchy till the engine/transmision warms up. I've heard that there is either a synthetic additive available to help this. Or swap out the fluid entirely for synthetic.

I had the same problem with my Mercury Mistake. Notchy shifting.

 

I wanted the 6 speed manual really bad but chose the automatic because of the horrible traffic delays in the DC area. This takes the fun out of a manual in 5 MPH traffic for an hour and a half each way to work 5 days a week. Now people see why there is so much road rage. Add a notchy shifter to that equation and it will make you insane. Too bad as much as the car costs they couldn't fix that annoying problem. They were supposed to make some adjustments with the 05 but I didn't take a chance on it. Ask some 05 (manual trans) owners and see if they experience the same problem.

 

Oh Great! I haven`t read anything about the problems before but I will be searching now. I now have a little over 2.5 years left on the lease and if there isn`t an improvement in shifting, I`ll be turning it in.

 

Same cluncky notchy shifting. The notchy is there when the engine is cold. It sometimes can grind a little bit in 2nd and 3rd. I only have 2600K on it in Canada and expect it to get looked at for its first appointment. Other than that the car is great. My previous 98 Max shifted great.

 

My Service Center suggeseted replacing the trans. fluid with Royal Purple Synchromax (Man. Trans.). He said should make things a bits smoother. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this particular product.

 

Folks,

I have been complaining to my Nissan dealer about my grinding at times 2nd and 3rd gear and have requested the tranny be changed or I get my money back.

The dealer had one of the guys from Nissan head office looked at it and he told me there was nothing wrong with it. Characteristics for Maxima SE!

He said that if I was not happy with this to go for arbitration under CAMVAP.- Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan.

By the way, the dealer had replaced the tranny fluid for synthetic. No difference.

I did - strongest point I made during the arbitration hearing was that the Nissan Maxima 2004 brochure states that the 6 speed manual tranny has a seamless shift between 1st and 2nd gear because of the triple cone syncro.

The arbitrator had an independent inspector look at the car. The inspector did state that the 1st to 2nd gear was not seamless. But I believe he damage my case my saying that the 2 to 3 gear grinding I demonstrated to him was because my shifting was not fluid and this may have damaged the syncro!

As a result the arbitrator sided with Nissan stating that the client (I) failed to demonstrate any manufacturing defect or fault. I am agash by this decision.

The arbitrator had requested fron Nissan some stats on how many 6 sp tranny have been replaced. Nissan did not submit any info statint that the info was confidential business info.

I like my car. But for a car of that price range, I expected a much better tranny.

I have not given up yet. Would like very much to learn if anyone of you had the problem fixed, with dealer, Nissan, etc.

Thanks.

 

When I went to test drive '05 models I was totally set on a 6 speed. Walked away after the first test drive extremely dissapointed. I couldn't believe how notchy and akward it was.... ended up in an auto. Unacceptable for a car at this price point.

 

I test drove an 04 and later bought an 05 maxima 6 speed. The 05 seems to shift and generally drive much better than the 04.

 

FIREBALL, I just read your horror story, it is hard to believe Nissan is getting away with this stuff. They may not release the info but 90% of us stick lovers know the nissan 6sp is crap.

If it helps to relieve your pain ; I will say I have almost 31,000km(almost 20K miles) and the shifting has improved but only slightly.

My only salvation will be when they(B&M or somebody), develop a STS for the Max. Then again it may not solve the problem either.

 

Any further thoughts or suggestions on thisÉ

 

Fireball, I mentioned earlier that I have the same problem. For the moment I am very careful to shift into 2nd and 3rd at low revs when it is cold. I few shifts later it is fine. I am not happy with it and still plan to get it looked at on my checkup.

 

Has anyone noticed that the 6-sp inventory has dwindled to almost none at all? I've been looking for one to test drive and possibly replace my '95 5sp, and there are very few in Texas. And all of them are older VINs.

Did Nissan stop production until the standard traction control is issued?

 

They've always been rare. When I went looking a year ago September, I had to go to a couple dealerships before I found any. They're just not making a lot of them, the dealer said because there's not much demand, but then he turned around and said that they always fly off the lots.

-Nate

 

I had a hell of a time getting a 4 seater. They wanted to sell me everything but. It took 2 months to get the majestic blue 4 seat leather with 6 sp.

 

Only When The Engine Is Cold 2nd And 3rd Is Notchy. After That Shifts Seem Pretty Smooth. Maybe I Have To Drive Something Else Of The Max' Caliber S60r, 540i To Really Know If Something Is Wrong.

 

Nissan has had notchy manual trannies for years it seems worse in the 6psd Maxima of 02 up than the older ones. The best feeling manual Nissan/Datsun manual I have driven was in a 83 280ZX and that wasnt bad at all.