Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

I brought this up a while back and finally did it.

My 6-speed had the 3rd gear grind and was way out of warranty. The open diff was killing me on the street and drag strip after all the mods on my car.

I found an 04 38,000 mile 6-speed HLSD unit in a salvage yard in Canada. The 04 unit has better syncros and a lower final drive ratio.

I have to say I really like it. The install was very smooth. The trannys are a direct swap. The only difference is the piece the shifter cable attaches to uses a snapring on the o2 and a cotter pin on the 04. I just swapped the piece to keep it the same. No problem.

The car launches much better and doesn't spin like crazy now. It used to spin like crazy shifting into second also. Now it hooks much better. I could actually break a tire loose in the top of second gear just by getting on it all the way. It doesn't do that now either.

The shifting is much smoother. Third gear is great but all the gears seem smoother. My old tranny did have just over 100,000 miles though.

The only draw back is the RPMs are higher on the highway because of the shorter final drive. It's only a little bit though. Around town it's fine. The acceleration seems faster because of it.

Nissan is good about replacing the trannys with the 3rd gear grind but if you're out of warranty this is a great fix.

I got the tranny for $850 shipped and found a shop to buy my old tranny for $150 as a core.

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

Is this a common issue with the 6 speed trannies? I did a search, but found nothing on it.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Yes it is. Some of the 02 trannys had a very weak 3rd gear syncro. They grind when shifting into third at high RPMs. A lot of them were replaced under warranty.

I bought the car with 70,000 miles. I found out the car had an extended powertrane warranty and almost had it replaced but the warranty wasn't transferable.

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

I just passed the 60k drivetrain last week and probably should have dropped it off before then to just have a checkup to see if any issues came out of it. Reason being, when I shift out of 3rd gear to go ito 4th (or neutral), not into 3rd gear, I get a odd slight vibration feel, but doesn't actually "grind".

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

Hey guys, this third gear grind you are all talking about... Is it just a small grunch? Or is it a full blown can't get it into gear ?

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Mine was just a crunch when fast shifting into 3rd gear at high RPMs. It probably would have gotten worse. I really just wanted a tranny with HLSD and it didn't make sence to buy and install a new diff in a 100,000 mile tranny with a bad syncro.

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

hmmm. Think I'll have to take mine into the shop. I get it once in a while but I always assumed it was a bad shift on my part. Or not pushing clutch all the way to the floor.

EH STEVE!!

iTrader: (1)

Hey Derrick

I might have to meet up with ya to feel what kind of power you've gained with all the mods.

Steve

vsamoylov

i have the grind in third and in fifth gear.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, that would be cool! Are you the one had a friend buy an Acura from me?

If not I sell cars at the Acura dealer just north of 295 on Blanding. I'm up there from 9 to 9 tomorrow. I can cruise out almost any time though. Stop buy and see me or send me a PM.

kbohip

Hmm, mine grinds fairly good going into third, mostly during slow low rpm shifts. The problem doesn't seem as bad once it fully warms up though. It's not really so much of a grind as much as it's a hesitation that almost grinds. As it is now I can live with it but I worry that it'll get worse. My car does have the Nissan extended warranty. I wonder if I should try to get them to replace it.

Maxima-Ness

wow. I never knew about this. Ive never had a problem with mine. Was it all of them or just some? I reckon if it were all of them, it would have been a recall.....

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Even if its a widespread problem doesn't always mean Nissan will recall it. It takes a lot more to generate a recall.

None of my gears grind.... yet.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Nice job with the swap Derrick.

vsamoylov

its cause your not putting down enough power

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Har har. That's only been the last month or so... but it should be figured out soon.

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

6 GENS also have the 3rd gear grind problem and they shifting is still notchy on them too. I basically the same tranny........

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, did you see the pics of the headers with the tranny out of the way?http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=467988

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

I thought the point of this thread was that Derrick did swap a 6th Gen 6 speed into his 2002 and it seems to be an improvement as far as the 3rd gear grind was concerned?

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

I'll take a look at it, thanks.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

It's the same tranny with improved syncros and a shorter final drive.

BIGMAX19

iTrader: (11)

During your swap, did you have to use different axles or the same ones?

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Same axles. The 5 speed uses different axles for open and locking diff but the 6-speed is the same.