my third gear grinds when i shift at high rpms (around 5500-redline) and this started happening after my tranny was repaired. even after my new clutch it still grinds and it's only third gear that does this. under normal driving it won't grind tho. anyone know what it is???

 

Hi,

many of us, (including myself) have had 3rd gear grinding problems. Even regular driving caused grinding when going to 3rd. Nissan fixed the problem (bearings, gears, etc), and now for a year she's been ok. (I only have 13K on her). It seems that you may be seeing the beg. of this problem. I'm sorry, but as I'm writing this, I did not note what year Max you own. If its the 5.5, then chances are this is the classic bad 3rd gear syncro problem. I don't know for sure, but that's what it sounds like. Take it to the dealer, if they give you the "no prob. found" answer, call NNA, and they'll talk, and have the dealer fix the prob. (assuming you're still under warranty), that's what happened with mine.

Some folks here have switched to Redline and other superior fluids, and are very happy. I have a prob. with that bec. if something is mechanically wrong (as was with my car), changing to premium fluids may be a temp. solution. I don't know if those owners had any recurring problems or if indeed the switch was for the better in the long run.

My advice-if u're under warranty, take it to the stealer, and if they give u probs. NNA should take care of 'em. They'll call in a specialist, cuz we know their regular mechanics can't work on trannys, and your car will be like new. HTH.

Regards,

ShysMax
'02 Max 6 Spd.

 

My MR2 had that problem. It was my 3rd gear syncro.

 

how much did it cost you to replace your 3rd gear syncro? and my car isn't under warranty anymore, i'm so dumb i got it fixed at AAMCO and it was under warranty and i never brought it back. now warranty for that is up!

 

I don't remember exactly but it was alot. I'm guessing roughly $500+ I took it to the dealership though. You might want to call around local tranny shops.

 

oh ok, i hope that's including labor. labor at AAMCO is about 455 so 3rd gear synchro hopefully is inexpensive i'm guessing since you brought it to the dealership. now did it only grind when you would shift at high RPMS or did it just grind all the time going in to 3rd?

 

It started at certain RPM but as my tranny got older, started to grind more frequently at random RPM.

 

mine does the same thing...it won't be covered under warranty?
i would like to get mine fixed

 

how much is a synchro?

 

i have the same grinding issue with 3rd gear .. i have a 2002 5.5 gen .. i was reading the warrany book & there is a longer power train warranty then 3/36 .... i think it was up to 65k miles and a few more years .... one day i will go into the stealer and ask them about it ...

.... and who is NNA?

 

The Nissan Powertrain Warranty is 5yr/60k.

 

Syncros better be covered under warranty. Take your car in before your warranty expires.

 

I'm getting my tranny repleaced by Nissan under warranty at 103K miles right now, no grinding or anything, just ocassionally it won't go into 1st gear while sitting at a light. I rebuild my tranny at 65K miles when 4th gear exploded, and now 40K miles later it just started locking up on me going into 1st gear. Syncro sleeve set will cost ya around 150-200 bux- it comes with the corresponding gear, so you will get a whole new 3rd gear and syncro sleeve. I don't recomend doing this yourself, 5spd Maxima tranny is not as ez to rebuild as other transes I have done.

 

NNA is Nissan North America. They kept in touch with the dealer, making sure (I think) that the work was being completed. The first time I went to the dealer they said "no probs. found". 4 months later, the grinding was worse, and they finally took it in. I then called NNA, and they kept in touch with the dealer, calling me to let me know when the car would be ready. I was kinda impressed with they way they were monitoring the dealer....

Regards,

ShysMAx
6 Spd.