i have a could of question:
1. i have a auto max. i have been experiencing difficulty shifting into drive or anything else. i would have to push the button more than once for it to go in so i can shift. sometime i can push the button in w/o the brake being applied. went to dealer and mechanic there told me it was the solenoid. i then ask well can i just replace the solenoid. he said no. it only comes in as an assembly about 450. any ideas as to what is wrong and is the mechanic telling me the truth or is he just pulling my leg.
2. when i got my maintenance done i ask about the timing belt. the service guy told me the max does not use a timing belt like other cars. all the max needs is for it to be re-timed. can someone explain more in details or is the service guy bs-ing w/ me. and also if this is true does this apply to all the nissan line-up.
3. on the front passenger side, everytime i hit a bump or a hole i hear a clinging sound. when i had that checked out the first time they say nothing is wrong. the second time i brought it in they told me it was the strut assembly. they said that the insulator on the assembly was worn out so everytime i hit a bump or hole it is not held firmly in place. is this true? what are other possibilities.

any help will be appreciated.
i also got in a wreck so hopefully i could blame it on that.

 

it has timing chain
not belt...
basically do not need to change...BUT...sometime you might need to do that....but that is kinda rare. That is one of those replacement that cost an arm and a leg..sort of?

as far as I know...our VQ30DE (max 4th/5th gen engine) is the only one with timing chain right now?....maybe some other model does too...but definately not the 3rd gen, or any other old nissans ?...

That much I know...might be wrong..
have fun..

 

1. My auto is sometimes hard to shift out of park also (but It never shifts without the brake on so I can't help you with the solenoid question). I always try to set the parking brake before I put the car in park when I stop - that seems to take pressure off the transmission and it shifts easier out of park the next time I want to go somewhere. If you do it the other way around, sometimes the transmission takes the weight of the car if it rolls a little bit and puts pressure on the release.

2. No timing belt on 4th gen., just a chain. 3rd gen has a belt. Some older Nissans had chains (like in-line 6cyl z-cars, but not the V6 300's until later years). Kind of a mixture depending on the model and year. You shouldn't have to do anything with yours for a long time (over much, much time the chain could stretch and you might have to replace it, but I don't think you'll get to that point).

3. Check the mounting bolts on the top of the strut, inside the engine comparment. There shouldn't be any slop (jack up the car and see if the mounting studs move at all as the strut extends). If everything's tight, could be the strut itself (replace them) or could be something else in the suspension. My CV joints made slight noises before I replaced them.

Hope this helps somehow. Good luck...