mattb909

Hey I'm new to this but I've been having problems with my 05 Maxima SL with tranny and shifting. I took it in to auto body and they say I need a new valve body, and new one costs about 1000 from Nissan. Plus labor and fluids around 1600 total. I have a close family member who claims can do it himself for around 700 or so incl part and labor is this reasonable?, but wanted some opinions on if I should go with aftermarket or factory? Please help thx

boatguy272

http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...ssion-fix.html

mattb909

I'm not really good at navigating thru this site yet, but I have tried to post few threads to get people to see my post. Anyways all the help/answers I can get would really help. Don't kow what to do with my car.

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

People have fixed the problem with an OEM valve body, and people have also fixed it with replacement valve bodies from Sunbelt: http://www.sunbeltvalvebodies.com/sbvb/default.aspx, Level 10: http://www.levelten.com/ and others. I haven't seen any reports of problems with any of these after replacement.

Costee

Yes, OP this just about sums up the valve body saga. There's one more option--the transgo shift kit, cheapest option, but probably the most intricate. The oem is perhaps the most expensive, but the least complex. Now, the option is yours. Keep us posted.

mattb909

Do we have a price approx for the aftermarket valve body, and after reading above it seems like the aftermarket is ok and fixes the problem? I just don't want to get screwed at an autobody for factory valve body if aftermarket does the job and is cheaper and if I can pay someone to do it themselves(if this is a good idea?). Really not sure how I go about doing this.

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

If you click either of the links, you can get the prices. But I guess I'll do it for you too. Sunbelt costs $525, Level10 costs $698. People have gotten the OEM ones for anywhere around the $700-850 range, so the prices really are not that far off.

If you're on a budget, just get the sunbelt version and call it a day. Nobody has reported any problems with it. People have replaced them on their own, so if you have someone trustworthy who has done stuff like this before then have them do it, it's all up to you man.

mattb909

CRiME- I really appreciate your help and replies, I will look into each one. I don't want to go too cheap and in a few months the problem repeats. But as far as if I have a friend who claims he can do it, is it a job that can be done at one's house?

And reason why I worry because the mechanic who looked over my cars warned me not to go with aftermarket bc they don't fix the problem?

Also, if I do decide to go with one of the Brands you listed above, do I order the part online and it ships to me or?
Srrry again man not a car guy, just having major issues lol

Appreciate all the help

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

Sure man, understood, as I battled the transmission problem too. No fun.

People have replaced the valve body in their driveway on jackstands, so yes, it can be done at home. In fact, member Scrui has made a howto on what the job entails, see this link for the exact post:
http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...ml#post8018820


As far as ordering and receiving the part, I believe there is a core charge which is refunded once you return your old valve body to them. If you're going to go with the sunbelt one, you can contact them at (813) 961-5560

People have personal preferences and will always advise you based on those preferences. Nissan will urge you to get the OEM valve body, while an aftermarket company such as Level10 will urge you to get the aftermarket one, and understandably so, each company wants to make the sale.

At the end of the day, replacing the valve body has fixed the problem and nobody has reported any issues after doing so. The Transgo "shift kit" fix is the only fix where I have seen people come back and report issues months after the install.

mattb909

Awesome, again I really thank you for the help. I will speak with the family friend and let him know what I've learned, uless he was aware already. But either way, I'm going to get started on this ASAP. Need my car running again fast.

Looked up that link you provided but haven't found the howto. Am I blind? lol

Btw when I buy the aftermarket valve body, will I need other parts or just that and pay the man to do the job

mattb909

Also, I failed to mention that I have not changed my tranny fluid, I think ever since Ive had my car lol. But I was told not to put in new stuff bc it may be too strong and will cause major issues, so was told to leave old stuff in there bs car is used to it.

When the valve body get replaced, and "hopefully" fixes the problem, I do a tranny flush and put new stuff in as well?

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

The last link I posted should guide you to the howto. Try this one: http://forums.maxima.org/8018820-post588.html

As far as additional parts, you will need some fresh Matic-K ATF from nissan, and you will likely need a new cover gasket. Sunbelt will be better able to advise you on exactly what you need than I am. You don't have to flush the fluid, simply refilling it with fresh fluid will be fine.

mattb909

Thanks again man you've really helped me out with this! So I'll check into Sunbelt and go from there.

So no Transgo shift kit, definitely the valve body and that will fix the erratic shifting, over rev-ing, and problems between shifting between park-drive, and reverse. Because I thought this was all transmission problems, but valve body forsure right.

Have you had to do this before? or just read about people on these forums with the same problems as me