Minimalmaxima

I'm hearing noises from mine and I think it's about gone. I've had a leak from the rear seal and I filled it a few weeks ago and it took fully five quarts so I'm guessing it was empty all that time. I told the moron Nissan service rep to make sure they checked the level some months back and he's like "Oh yeah we check all fluid levels." Anyway, it sounds horrible. I have been wondering if it could be clutch/throwout bearings related because I don't hear anything at idle with pedal depressed, but I just replaced that like a year and a couple of months ago. I hear the bad whiney noise when I'm in gear and moving, though. And today, a new noise. A click that varies with wheel speed. Hmmm.

The transaxle is the most expensive to replace, right? So how much? My relationship with my max may have run its course. I so wanted to get it to 200K. (I'm at 189) I'm at a point where every time I replace or repair something, something else goes wrong.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Honestly, depends on where you are and what kind of luck you have.

There's a 5MT 4th gen in the junkyard 15 miles from my house, trans is $80. It's a pick-and-pull type yard, but still...I could probably do a 5MT swap for a total of $200 there. Come to think of it...

Otherwise, try the junkyard search. It's car-part.com, but it won't resolve for me. Try later, I guess.

Doesn't dgeesaman sell rebuilt 5MTs?

black_maxed95

iTrader: (41)

I would expect to pay anywhere from 300-500 depending on condition

Minimalmaxima

So 500 would be what you'd expect from like a 99 with, say, 100K or so? What others are compatible? I did a search and it said something about the 95-99 and 20th anniversary '01 transaxles being the same. Is that true? What about the 2000? Maybe that thread mentioned the 2000 too and I just forgot?

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

yo if you trash your car, sell me your wheels?

are those off an 02 or 03 maxima?

black_maxed95

iTrader: (41)

i know the 95-01 are all the same unless you get a vlsd tranny, then you need different axles. (but those are rare and much more $$$)

96blackmaxSE

iTrader: (30)

I paid 900 for a junyard 2001 5 spd maxima tranny. Its non-vlsd and had like 70K on it.

I swapped it in with 2 of my buddies....actually they pretty much did most of it and I helped them.

but all in all I saved like 2,200 by not paying the shop to do it. They wanted close to 3 grand to drop in a fresh 4th gen rebuilt tranny...I laughed at them.

sparky1562

I had to have mine rebuilt at 124,000 miles. No time to try it myself at the time. Cost me right at $2000 labor, parts and a converter.
If it goes out again, I will find a used one, or at least do the removal/install myself.

Minimalmaxima

I'm not gonna "trash" my car, guy. It's looking like I'm gonna sell it to the ex-Nissan tech that did most of the work on it for the past three years. And they're actually 350z wheels. They're the same wheels as on the G in the pic on the left, though, and I plan on putting them right back on the G when I divorce the Maxima.

JtzMax

iTrader: (5)

The Stealership wanted $2200 for a rebuilt - NOT including any labor! I did it myself ... ha, eat it Youngblood Nissan!

tbergma1

i took out my 5 speed and had it rebuilt for a $1000. Slapped it back in with a new clutch kit.

Minimalmaxima

Hey guys tell me: what all is contained in a transaxle? I'm told that the noise I hear is the differential. Like a week ago I started hearing a thud when I drove out of the driveway and I took it right back into the garage. And then my buddy that I'm trying to sell it to wanted to look at it so I try to take it for a spin around the neighborhood and it gets really nasty. Turns out the axle had come out of the trans or off the diff or something. And he (and another guy he used to work with that he called over to the house for a second opinion) says that the diff is toast. What is all that junk? The diff and all that junk is in the transaxle case right? Just wondering. Thanks.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Yes, that is the main difference between a transmission and a transaxle - packaging. Transmission is generally speaking just the gear sets, no more and no less.

Transaxle (generally FWD) houses the diff as well.

JtzMax

iTrader: (5)

Pmohr for Prezident!!!!

The above post is right on the money.

- You payed a grand to have your trans done, and you did the R+R ???? WTF, I'm in the wrong line of work. Did mine myself for lets see ... bearing kit = 200, clutch = 160, tools I didn't have = 50 or 60 ... so, for about 300 or so total. Not tryin to make you feel like a sucka ... but why not do it on your own - not hard at all really. (well ... with Pmohr and the Org's help that is! )

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

they are not all the same.. the 95-96 have 1 syncro on first gear... it sucks...

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

they are essentially the same though... anyone but autocrossers and those who try to jam the trans into 1st gear at more than 20mph would be hard pressed to tell the difference. there are some other slight differences such as striking rod length in the 00 and 01s, etc. but they are essentially all interchangeable.

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

not really.. if im in second and some fool infront of me slows down i CANT put it into first no matter what i do.... i can force it but that cant be good..

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

not really what? your post doesn't make any sense without a context. do you have a single or double baulk ring 1st gear?

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

my 3 year old sister understood what i wrote...

quite obviously i have a 96 trans since im putting in my insight...

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Ouch.

IMHO, if a basic rebuild (bearings/seals, not including R&R) approaches $1000 it should be scrapped and a better core should be sourced. But the average tranny shop doesn't have spare parts, doesn't have "time" to get proper shim sizes (and certainly doesn't stock them in advance), and they don't have the courtesy to tell you when it's time to find another.

Dave

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

I clearly stated that unless you try to jam the transmission into 1st gear at an inappropriate speed, you won't be able to tell the difference. The first part of your post makes it sound as if you are disagreeing ("not really") and then you say the exact same thing that I said - that you have to jam it in with a 95-96 trans. Make up your mind. Do you agree with what I said - that unless you try to jam the transmission into gear at an unreasonable speed you won't be able to tell the difference - or don't you? lol

I'll state it again and I'll clarify something for you - this is assuming a transmission that has a 1st gear synchro that is in good working order: Unless you try to jam the transmission into 1st gear at an unreasonable speed - like higher than 15mph - you will notice no difference between the 95-96 transmissions and the 97-99 transmissions.