The differential bearing problem being discussed is independant of how you drive the car

 

or you could buy a brand spanking new tranny for $1700. WITH lsd.

 

If it turns out you need to get into the tranny and don't want to do it yourself, I echo what others have said here: get a 2001 AE LSD tranny.

The I30 tranny itself (gears, shims, etc) is IDENTICAL to the 4th gen Maxima tranny, it is just coupled to a VLSD instead of an open differential. The 5.0 gen Maxima tranny is almost identical to the 4th gen except they strengthened 2nd, 3rd (weakest on 4th gen), and 5th gears. So if you can find an AE tranny, GET IT. The tranny itself is stronger (and probably has no preload/shim problems) and it also has the highly desirable LSD. And best of all, they hardly cost any more than 4th gen trannies at salvage yards! $800-$900? Check www.car-part.com

Bluebird, just to confirm, the diffy bearings went bad on your 99 SE-L? I'm fairly sure Nissan didn't change the tranny at all between 95-99, which would indicate that it's only a matter of time before we see tons of 97-99s with the same problem. HOWEVER, since the problem has been almost definitely attributed solely to improper preload/shims from the factory, it's quite possible that Nissan corrected this problem in the later 4th gen model years. There are tons of 99s with well over 100K and 95s with under 100K have had the diffy bearing problem, so I think this is plausible.

 

brand new 20th AE 5speed tranny w/ lsd = $1665.

I can't believe I paid close to 3 grand 3 years ago for a rebuild...I was sorely raped.

 

I am also having these problems in my '95 GXE. If I get the 5th gen 5-spd, will it bolt right up? Do I need the 5th gen axles? Will they bolt right up? I think the 5th gen tranny seems like the best solution, IF there isn't a ton of custom work involved. Anyone done this and can help out. It seems I'm not the only one in need.
Thanks,
Adam

 

I would like to know too. I asked the guy at Nissan service and he said the 5th gen tranny will not fit my 96. I said ok and moved on looking for another 4th gen tranny. Will it fit or was this guy bs'ing?
-Paul

---------------
96 SE 5speed i/y
2.28
14.762
93.8

I need a new tranny! pm me

 

I'm pretty sure it's a direct fit. Anyone know for sure?

 

YOu guys need to search recent posts. I and many others are running 2000-2k1 trannies on our 4th gen. You do not need new axles (unless you go LSD). If you do go for a tranny swap, getting 2000-2k1 is a no-brainer. They are just as cheap, are more likely to have few miles and (hopefully) no diff. carrier bearing problems. Moreover, there are substantial improvements in them--they just feel so much better to shift.

 

Well im still not confident it just isnt my clutch. When the car is stop and the clutch is engaged it rattles and chatters. As soon as i engage the clutch the sound vanishes. It makes the noise while in gear intill the clutch is disengaged. Also tonight the clutch started slipping a lot. I think im gonna get an Exedy Stage 1 clutch and see what that does.

 

Which recent posts? I'm not doubting you, but I've read everything I can find about transmissions on the last 8 pages, and I still haven't seen a definitive answer. I'd like to know: If I purchase a 2000-01 tranny and take it to my mechanic, is there anything extra he'll need, or need to know, because it's not a 4th gen. tranny? Or....If I decide to do this myself, when I get the old tranny dropped, will the new pop right in, or am I going to have to parlay a ride to the parts shop?
P.S. I'm really not trying to cause problems. It seems like the 5th gen. tranny is the best idea, but I can just see a mechanic having a problem with it not being the "correct" one. I'm trying to assure myself it'll work, so I will be more persuasive in assuring him.
Thanks,
Adam

 

http://forums.maxima.org/search.php?searchid=160579

 

Thanks for the response, but all I get is a page telling me I don't have permission to access that page. I know I need to donate, just haven't yet.

Edit: I just donated. It was easy. Didn't know you could just pay by paypal.
Again, thanks for the link.
Adam

 

The trannies will look identical--you will have to read the tranny code to tell them apart (visually). My 2001 did not have a speed sensor (port was simply capped) so I just moved my 1995 one over. I recommend you do the work yourself --it is a good idea to get a new clutch which will cost you another $200 or so more. Doing it yourself will assure you that it was done right and it is not hard if you do it step by step and stay organized.

 

1995 GLE differential bearings gone...leaking fairly badly...DI myself? Or pay a shop 350 to do it............

 

GLEs did not come with manual transmissions and thus do not have the defective differential bearings, unless I'm missing something. Maybe it was different in Canada?

 

When my tranny got toasted, it woulda been $400-450 to rebuild. Instead I went with a 2001 5sp with 50k on it (rear end collission) for $500 shipped from a local junkyard. About 6 months later and 10k miles I ended up selling it for $700 shipped. LOL.

So yeah, 5th gen tranny will fit, but the shifter will sit further back towards the elbow rest. Took a week to get used to. I was told that a short shifter will make it a lil better.

Dr J

 

Yeah, plug and play. Just swap tranny, nothing else. The shifter will sit a lil further back, towards the elbow rest, but I got used to it after a week. Be careful speed shifting into 3rd, you might bang it hard till u get used to it, just cuz the gate is further back.

Dr J

 

I should just post ***** while I'm here. I went 50k on a leaking tranny, I'm guessing it was the diff bearing. No abnormal noise tho.

 

How did you know it was leaking and what symptoms did it have?

 

No symptoms, just dripping tranny oil not coming from the axle seals.