Hi All -
Thanks for the forum articles. They have been really helpful.
I'm a weekend mechanic (barely) and recently replaced most of the suspension components (LCRs, sway-bar links, shocks, struts), but not until after I was done did I realize that I also needed to replace the driver's side output shaft seal on the CVT. (Inexperience is a b.i.t.c.h).
The car drives fine, but the seal is leaking like a sieve.
I've read a lot about the repair and watched a few YouTube videos, but the thought of taking it all apart again and doing that service seems like a PITA.
I generally stay away from dealerships, but I was thinking about taking it to the Central Nissan dealership for this service.
Can anyone recommend them or an independent shop to do this work?

thank in advance,
mark

 

Well, too funny... I guess there aren't any. 37 views and no responses... I guess I'll do it myself.

 

You are assuming that all of the 37 views are from people in the Houston area, and that those 37 people know of a dependable Nissan mechanic in that area. I was one of those 37.

Me...I am over 1000 miles from the greater Houston area.

Sorry, I can't recommend anyone.

 

Thanks for your response. You're absolutely correct. It was a bad assumption on my part. I'm pretty frustrated with the stealerships here... $550 to replace the driver's side output shaft seal on the CVT and $399 for the fluid change...holy mother of pearl.
Therefore, I've started on it myself, in between meetings. Thank goodness for 'working from home'.
I actually had to rent a reverse puller to get the brake rotor separated from the axle...
I generally only use independent shops, but I don't personally know any in Houston that work on this part of Nissans and my trust level in people these days is exceptionally low. :/

 

@RickSmith Now that I have the seal out of the CVT (seal pullers are a life saver), is there anything special I need to do? Separately, since the car was not drivable prior to me starting this job, because most of the CVT fluid had drained out on my garage floor, is there any reason to undo the CVT drain plug to see if I can drain more? Nothing is coming out of the open seal hole (i have not installed the new seal, yet). Also, since I can't warm anything up in the CVT (reason mentioned above), should I just add some fluid and drive it around a little and then check it again? I'm just not sure how much fluid actually leaked out.
Also, what about greasing the seal? do I just put some tranny fluid on it and slide it in or use some other type of grease or ?

Thanks in advance,
mark

 

CVT pan is at lower level than your AO. So yes open the drain plug and prepare a new o ring washer for assembly let it drain and close everything and add fluid. Use 4 quarts to begin with. Drive around easy and let the transmission warm a bit. Then recheck (level surface transmission on P and engine running). Warming transmission before fluid change is somehow over exaggerated fluid will only rise like %5 cold vs hot.

 

Performed this service and the results were terrific.

I've decided to do all of my own work, if I can.
That includes fixing (replacing the bumper) along with the passenger headlight assembly, which is next on my list (don't ask )

I might also install the morimoto hid kit.

 

Took my maxima there and they did a ****ty job...then lie about the work...

 

Revisiting this thread, is there any independent mechanic (experienced with Nissan) in the greater Houston area that anyone can recommend?
After replacing most of the suspension components and my son driving the car for just about the last two years, it has been pointed out to me that I need to (probably should have done this when I replaced the rest of the suspension) replace the tie rods (probably inner and outer). The issue is, I think I'm losing power steering fluid, which leads me to believe that the seal at the end of my new steering rack is leaking (driver's side). Is that seal a separate replacement component from the steering rack or part of it? Hence my desire to find someone to do all of that work.
Thanks in advance.
-Mark

 

I've been looking for a mechanic for the past 8 years in Houston. I own a 2011 Maxima 3.5 SV and started having problems at around 100K. I honestly cannot recommend any good mechanic because they make it worse. Every time I took it to a shop to fix one thing, a different problem occurred in the same spot. For example, I replaced my O2 sensors and then my alternator stopped working. I changed my radiator and then all of a sudden my a/c stopped working etc.. I can recommend an independent Goodyear mechanic. I came back to them a year ago and they've been wonderful with costs and fixing the car. 1317 W Grand Pkwy S, Katy, TX 77494 is their location and ask for promos as they do a lot (10% off, $250 if $1000 is spent) .