S1cTech

She has 213k miles on it, No issues with the engine other then a few minor things like knocksensor, Vacuum leak somewhere and A/c compressor shes has been great. VQ power! lol


however I can't say the same for Nissan **** quality tranni power. A few years ago the Input shaft bearing started to make noise. I thought it was gonna die soon but it is lasting, I put a new clutch and TO bearing in since then but the Input shaft bearing is still loud as ****.

They sound like ball bearings in a blender. Now, Gears are whining, Feels like my differential bearings are loose as **** because the car has a noticeable gap in between engine or road. Or that could be tranni shutter. (replaces Motor mounts last year so thts not it so it has to be the diff bearings.) no leaks in the tranni and well thats about it...


Should I just get a junk yard tranni? and RISK the money and slap it in too see and hope there is no issues with that trans? Or Try and "try" to keep going with this, by driving nicely and seeing how far it can go while I try and save up more money for another car?


So far I have received prices of $500 for a ok mileage tranni, and I am gonna get some tranni guy/family friend to install it for $350-$400 cause I really don't have time or lifts for this heavy work **** anymore.


Need advice quick, also any ways to check out of car tranni's for some easy to see issues? I know of the socket extension thing to push on the diff bearings in the tranni to check for play but that is really all I know what it is outside of the car. oh and if anyone can find me a gen 4 tranni, Preferably Open diff so I don't have to replace my driver side axel(don't wanna spend the money and don't care about LSD for this old of a car)


Much would be appreciated. Thanks a lot .org

maxgtr2000

iTrader: (29)

I just had the tranny in mine rebuilt because of the input shaft bearing noise. I had to move cross country and didn't want to risk getting stuck. You can rebuild the tranny if you know how to shim the bearing. There is a write up here on the org. If I understood the shimming part I could have saved a bit of money. But if you know someone that does or you can do it, just get the bearings you need and replace the parts yourself. It is russian roulette with a junkyard tranny because it could have the noise after install as well but it won't be likely if you get a low mileage one.

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

different car.

pflicht

iTrader: (2)

My input shaft has been making horrible noises for 2 years now (ever since I bought the max) and my gears whine like crazy. I still drive the **** out of it though. If she is gonna break, she's gonna break. I plan on replacing the tranny soon though, but for me I am at a laxer point being both of my axles need replaced as well. So changing up trannies is a possiblility.

All in all I would say just to replace with a JY tranny and hope for the best. Who knows, the one you buy could last you another 100-200K miles

JtzMax

iTrader: (5)

Time to move on sounds like. I agree with Nealoc.

If you need the write up for the trans rebuild, it's in my sig, I wrote it.

beegeezy

iTrader: (3)

I agree with the others, time to find a new car. You can buy a lower mileage, working a/c, and good transmission car for ~$2500. You'll probably have to fix things on the new car too...but it's better to start with a car with a solid, low mileage drivetrain, IMO.

beegeezy

iTrader: (3)

For example: http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/2959825421.html

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

If you love you car then new tranny. If you dont love it so much new car

felorojas14

iTrader: (4)

+1

max1008

It's a factor of how much you have put into your car and like before if you love it or not. Myself I saw it worth buying a new tranny (went for the LSD, only way) and cost me $1400.00. I know my car is paid for and I know everything about it. If you are going to go out and spend $2500 on another 10 -15 year old car you might as well buy the new tranny if it doesn't have many other issues. Just like a junkyard tranny, with cars this old, you never know what you are going to get. Good luck!

S1cTech

JY tranni?

I wish, lol, If I had the time to do this **** and some inner tranni knowledge I would be all about it. I think the tranni is totally fubarred though. So I think a rebuild will just help the bearings aside from the other issues, like the whining and shuttering as well as hard as shifts.

thanks, but I rather put money into a gen5.5 if I wanted another maxima. You know any great prices for those now a days?

I do love my car(besides the tranni) haha.



I honestly rather just get a Gen 5.5 if I am gonna spend money on another maxima. At least that car should be better and this maxima for the most part on steroids. lol

SpeedCrazie

iTrader: (81)

Off topic! But Andrew buddy sorry we didn't get to meet up before you left! I took a brake from the maxima game but am finally coming back around to it! What prompted the move?

Back to the topic, I would say if you did the swap yourself to get another tranny and drive it to to the ground!

wirelessdude04

iTrader: (24)

New car

bkohs

sounds like it's time for a 3.5 6spd swap.... just saying....
but i'll agree, if you arent in love with the car then just get something else, but if you love it, rebuild it.

S1cTech

If I were to get a Tranni and put it in. I would think of doing the 6 speed (gen 5) version but other then the bell housing I need to get. IT looks like wayyyy to many parts to bother with. I heard I gotta get all new shifting parts and everything.

bkohs

i was talking a vq3.5 and a 6spd to go with it.

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

I spent $375 out the door for a rebuilt fresh trans I scored from a junkyard.

S1cTech

too much work. lol

Nugent20

LKQ - best national junkyard - I got a 97 max engine (106k) with 6mo warranty for $650 with core...not sure if they sell trannys but worth checking ...
I'd go that route

cashoit

with 213k on the clock....get another car man.

S1cTech

lol I was thinking of a gen 5.5.

cashoit

I FOUND ONE OF THOSE!!!!!

Its in braintree and it drives straight. Its a dealer and he wants 8500 for it. I talked him down to 8000 but he wdnt budge from that number.

Its a 2003 MT with the 3.5L, i think SE. Silver, leather, sunroof, 19s, alloys, 110k miles. It was sick man. Powerful. Felt like a 4th gen, jus muscular. It did have a slight pull to the left and steering was a lil vague, a lil rust more than i expected to see but not bad. sure was pimpy!!

Im holding out for a g35 man. no more FWD for me if i can help it lol

S1cTech

damn 8k is way too much for a 10 year old car. lol. It is funny cause it would be as old as my Gen 4 when I got her in 2006. lol so far 6 years and other then the tranni no major major issues and she has always started fine.

yeah I'd like a G as well but those keep their value a lot higher. And I don't really want a FWD car either but **** those are probably like 10grand min I bet for a 2003. lol

JtzMax

iTrader: (5)

Hate to even say this ... I know it's a Cardinal sin ... but could always swap to an auto ???

cashoit

Yo man, the used car market is SUPER inflated! I agree thats too much for an 03. But thats jus how it is nowadays.


Yea the infiniti is gonna cost more...but yo man, im tried of torque steer lol RWD FTW

S1cTech

haha You are funny.

Trini Boom

iTrader: (5)

Just like the others have stated, if you love your car rebuild it, if not, get another car.