Over the last week a noise has been occuring on my car in 1st and 2nd gear, whether clutch is engaged or not - but only when moving.....

The noise isn't the "whining" people complain about when their trannies usually start going. I'm also not getting the leaking axle everyone complains about as well.

What it sounds like is the grinding noise a shifter makes when you push up too far on it in 1st gear - but it's very faint (although getting louder every day).

So because of the grinding I decided to check my fluid level....it's all the way to the top.

HOWEVER - my magnet on my tranny plug looks like this:



Is my tranny toast? I do not hear this sound in 3rd-5th gears or R.

IanS

 

that can't be good. If you have decent miles and 95 or 96 chances are it's going. I've had 3 95 manuals and replaced three tranny's. Good luck

 

try flushing the tranny out. refill and drive it for a week and then see what you get on the plug. that would be the real way to see. if you have a bearing going out or a gear going its going to show... good luck

 

Well no, the REAL way to see is to drop the trans and go from there. Metal shavings seem like something more than a t-o bearing or input shaft bearing, but im no trans expert.

 

yeah, looks like you got to drop that tranny box, dude.

could it be the synchro's?

 

No whine, no axle leak - sound when moving in 1st and 2nd gear that sounds similar to syncros but not as loud as when you jam 1st gear.

 

No, synchros are brass and the shavings wouldn't stick to the magnet. I suspect that's a bearing spalling. I don't know Maxima tranny bearing arrangements, but it's safe to suggest that unless you're dumping this transmission for another, you should get this fixed asap. If a bearing begins to fail, it's not long after that the shaft ($$) that fits to it will also fail.

Dave

 

Well, these shavings could be 1 thing and the noise I'm hearing another.

It really doesn't sound at all like what other people describe as bearing problems (no whine, jsut marbles in a can sounds)...not to mention the axle is not leaking at all....that's the only reason I'm making this argument.

Not trying to be a d1ck, just trying to learn.

 

hopefully this can help all of us learn a little bit

 

$850 + shipping for a new tranny.

Probably far cheaper than a rebuild.

 

I would think so. A rebuild is usually in the 2k range. Man, trans problems are the worst to deal with , next to engine problems I guess. Hopefully I can find a cheap used trans, and rebuild it.

 

The engine is easier (much cheaper) to deal with.

At least for 4th Gens.

 

I meant in terms of hassle, and making us angry lol. I am already planning on getting a 3.5 swap done in a couple years over in PA, at tilley's shop.

 

wow that looks pretty bad.. iv see worst though.. my buddies 240 looked like a chia pet... it even had 2 bolts on the magnet!!!

 

OK - drove it this morning - have more info:

1) The grinding doesn't happen when I first start the car - only after about 5mins of driving.

2) The noise is coming from the shifter it seems - not the tranny. But I don't know if the vibration that is causing that is being carried up from the tranny or what.

3) I noticed after about 15 mins of stop and go traffic, the Clutch grabs VERY softly. The pedal has to be at just about the top before any engagement.

When cold, the engagement is gradual throughout the pedal travel and when it does grab it grabs hard.

When warm it is not gradual at all until top then it barely feels like it grabs - just feels mushy....

?

 

Subscription activated!

 

When does the "whining" occur when the transmissions is going to die ? What are the typical signs that your manual transmission is on it's way out I have a slight whining sound when I first dive off in morning but while I'm driving it doesn't occur when the car is warm. I have a slow leak in the Power Steering hose and hear a whining when I make turns.

 

bumpity bump bump

 

Input shaft bearings....

 

Interesting, I wonder what my trans will look like when goodyear opens it up.

 

as for 1...this sounds like bearing spalling. the reason it takes a bit to start is because of the the incorrect preload and once the bearing expands it spalls the race.

2...it is being carried up, the only thing that connects the shifter to the tranny is a black connecting rod.

and 3...mine did that too.

i talked to some ppl and found out that 4th gens are notorious for coming out of the factory with incorrect preload and weak bearing/synchros that tend to fail in higher mileage cars. Initially some ppl said that they had the same sound and that it hadn't developed into anything else so i drove it to work and then my seal broke, lost all of my trans fluid and now when i move into the garage or back it down the driveway it sounds like i may have broken teeth off a gear, hopefully that isnt it though, matt93se is going to pull my trans this weekend or next week so i'll let you guys know how it turns out...hope its rebuildable. peace.
phil

 

I'm going to buy a VLSD Tranny, then rebuild this one over the summer as time permits and resell it for some cash.

 

VLSD installed - feels GREAT!!!



IanS

 

how is your clutch holding up? I think you have the clutchnet with the puck disc? I am getting ready to order a clutch in a few min. and just wanted to make sure you still like that clutch and have had no problems with it. My trans went a few weeks ago.

 

Love the clutch - see other post for details.