Hey everyone;
I am about to do a transmission swap on my 87. It has had catastophic failure and I found a "used" one for $150. Considering the $12-1500 "best" quotes I got for replacement, I guess this will have to do....I was going to try my hand at rebuilding the old one, but I would still be $200-500 into it for parts (allowing for "hard" parts). And then.....if all isn't OK with the rebuild after installing; well, I don't want to go there. Now my question is, is it easier (or mandatory) to remove the engine to do this swap? I seem to read conflicting info on this BB.. Also, if anyone has any "lifesaving" tips about how to best accomplish the swap (save the "take it to a shop" comments...ha), would you let me know? Any help or tips is appreciated. I need info specific to the Maxima, not the "make sure you mark all of the hoses and wires" stuff. I already know all of that jazz. Thanks!
Nope. You can easily drop the tranny from below w/o removing the engine. I wish you alot of luck rebuilding an auto tranny. It's like another planet in there!
Yup, you can drop the tranny no problem from the bottom. However, I'd be sure you have another jack supporting the motor crossmember just in case...because if I remember right, you'll have to unbolt it to help get the tranny out. Also, be sure you have a couple other people help you out, it's a ***** to do yourself....especially with a tranny that is so heavy.
This past weekend I was able to get the tranny out of the Max. It can be taken out without removing the engine/trans as an assembly, but it is quite like a Chinese puzzle. I really wonder what it will be like on re-installation...Whew! I opened up the case on the old trans and found that a needle bearing assy had chewed up the face of the planet assy. where the one-way clutch is. Little baby needle bearings and chunks of race in everything imaginable, including the gear meshings. This is supposedly a NEW (and yes, it does look it by the virgin aluminum of the case) trans from Nissan. Everything inside was pristine except what was destroyed. What a shame. The previous original owner said she replaced it March 03 at the Nissan dealer. Considering the car has had only 10K miles since 2000, it might have had 2 or 3K on it since replacement, if that much. So much for "Nissan Quality". I have also done the "slide-bump" 1-2 shift fix on the used transmission I am putting in (I got it for $150 from a local yard).
Hopefully, I can get some longevity out of it as I really don't have $1000 to put into a rebuilt unit at this time. Of course, who really has 1000 "extra" dollars if you are driving a 17 year old Japanese car to begin with? Then again, maybe the millionaires became millionaires BECAUSE they drive 17 year old cars..... But I digress...
Well, I got the tranny in this weekend. From a donor car as mentioned above. I don't care what the Chilton's, Nissan, or Haynes manuals say, it is entirely possible (thanks to all who responded!) to remove this beast and replace it without removing the engine. I actually think R and R of the entire engine/trans as a unit would be much more difficult! By the way, I believe Chilton and Haynes simply "stole" all of their information from the Nissan Service Manual as most of the pictures you see in those are directly from the FSM. The hardest part would probably be getting the bolts back in the side for the air intake system. Man, what a bugger! Tips? Take the entire shift cable loose from the shifter and carry out the entire cable, don't try to disconnect it from the tranny. Much too hard to get to. Get a transmission jack, sissors type with four swivel wheels. I got mine at Harbor Freight for $49. I could not have done it without this! On my car, I did not have to disconnect the steering knuckles, the half shafts came out without having to do that. The rear (near firewall) trans mount will have to be taken completely out, so remember that. You will need to remove the lower exhaust shield over the top of the bell housing to get to the top bell housing bolts.....I think that is all I can remember right now.....Oh yeah, the shift mod??? The verdict is still out. It goes 1-2 almost too quick.
When you took out the cotter pins in the wheel assy were they reusable? Or should I just bust them out. I don't have a lot of cash on hand and don't feel like getting nickeled and dimed.
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