AceTKK

iTrader: (1)

I'm going to change the tranny fluid in my 96 max. What kind of fluid should I buy and where should I buy it? Do I need to change anything else at the same time?

Thanks,

-Ace-

JMAXIMA

RED LINE mt90.... myoilshop.com

AceTKK

iTrader: (1)

ok, let me ask you this: my friend says that it's not a good idea to change the oil in my transmission. My car has 107,000 miles and I don't believe the oil has ever been changed. He's saying that there is a risk of the seals failing if I change the oil now and that it's better just to leave it alone. Is he right?

-Ace-

TheMax95

There seems to be a problem with the 5 speed 4 gen. Maxima's transmissions. Namely 95-97ish models with around 60,000 miles on them. A common problem is the differential bearings have failed. Seems to be that Nissan/whoever built the tranny did not bother to properly shim the preload of the differential bearings. Tell tale signs of differential bearing failure include:

-leaking seals
-metal shavings in transmission fluid
-play in the CV axle where it enters the transmission
-grinding/whining noises when the car is in motion

You may also have the problem and not show any signs of it. My car did not show any of the above signs, until I opened my transmission for a different project and discovered it. Simply changing the seals is not the answer either, as they will just get stretched again.

The repair bill of this item is very expensive due to labor. Probabaly $800 to well over $1000 for labor charges, to change the $35 bearing(s). The transmission must be taken off the car and disassembled to service. If having somebody else do the service, BE SURE THEY PROPERLY SHIM THE NEW BEARINGS OR ELSE THE PROBLEM WILL CROP UP AGAIN!!! Many times the repair shop will just say "screw it" and not shim the new bearings. This is a great way to put a patch on the wound that will just break again.

"Can I do it myself?" Sure. Just prepared to remove and diassemble the transmission from the car. You will also need a precision dial gauge indicator to properly shim the bearings, a factory service manual, and you will need probably a week to wait for parts to come in. Definately not a job for the amature mechanic.

There is nothing you can do short of crossing your fingers to prevent this from happening, it is a manufacturing defect. Hopefully you will catch it before the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty is up.



****Info taken from the 4rth gen FAQ list****

nismology

iTrader: (8)

He didn't ask about the problems with 4th gen trannies. He asked if he should leave in the OEM oil or not.

TheMax95

oh damn wooops! I copied and pasted the wrong page. lol

You don't have to used the Redline oil. I used the plain GL4 80w-90 synthetic gear oil. Redline is like $90 but is kinda worth it if you have tranny problems.
-Paul

Oblongshapes

iTrader: (1)

dammit, THAT is exactly what my car is in the shop for now, **** its going to be 800-1000 this sucks!

TheMax95

I changed my oil yesterday and asked the same question. Here's a link:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=271979
-Paul

TheMax95

yea my tranny is starting to whine too. It's getting pretty loud. Changing my oil didn't do squat. I guess my brother has to take the whole tranny off and replace and shim the bearings.

I found that info very helpfull from the faq! thanks to whoever took the time to do that.
-Paul

-=PK=-Maxima

i heard something about mixing some new oil and old oil. ie 30% new 70% old tranny oil

MaxSpeedSE

iTrader: (3)

When is it too old for synthetic? My tranny has over 70,000 miles on it, I don't want to do it all and then 3 days later deal with leaks.


What's the advantages of going synthetic over regular? More protection yea, but does it help the barring situation?

TheMax95

not at all. The failing bearings is a manufacturing defect in the 95-97 maxima's. Like the post before said, cross your fingers it doesn't happen to you if it hasn't happened already. So far, every 95-97 5speed owner has had this happen to them or the previous owner.

Blame Nissan for cutting costs back then !

-Pual

MaxSpeedSE

iTrader: (3)

Every 95-97 owner ??? Well i have had a 5 speed converson done, my tranny came with 70K miles.....i guess i'll just hope for the best

AceTKK

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for everybody's input. I can't justify the expense of synthetic gear oil so I'm going to head to Auto Zone to look for some kind of GL-4 oil. I don't think I've been affected by this bearing issue so far (crosses fingers). Sometimes I do get a slight whining noise when backing out of the driveway in the morning, but that's the only time it does it. So is it a good idea to go ahead and change the oil?

-Ace-

zagato27

I've used the Redline MT 90 and also Amsoil synthetic in my 97 SE 5spd. Both work great, very smooth shifts. The Amsoil is currently in the tranny and I bought it from a guy here on the forum. He sells the full Amsoil line at cost I believe. I wanted to try something different and it was actually cheaper than the Redline. Anyway, do a search on Amsoil and you'll find a couple of guys who sell it. Cheers.

oppaman

btw, how often should MT fluid be changed? Owner's Manual doesn't shed
any light on this. I added 4.7qt of Redline MT90 at 60K and am planning on
doing the same after 45K, i.e. 105K. Does that sound reasonable, esp. with
the questions about putting synthetic into older trannies?
Thanks

zagato27

I believe that the manual suggests changing trans fluid every 30k. As to changing over to synthetic fluid with an older tranny....I don't see a problem as long as you don't have any leaks. I'd hate to have to replace more frequently than 30k....the synthetic is a bit expensive. I think the last time I bought Amsoil synthetic it was about $47 for 5 qts. Cheers

caflash

try the redline ml. expensive but it works real nice. you'll notice the difference. smooth shifting!