1982 maxima diesel 5 speed noisy

[1982810maximadiesel]

Hello I have a 1982 maxima 5 speed diesel and was wondering why my transmission has become noisy. 1 2 3 and 5 sound like a wheel barrel its been doing this now for over a year I thought it was the diff but someone told me it was the transmission.Also on 5th gear out on the interstate its a slight grinding noise accompanied by vibration. Please advise my Datsun has 275.000 miles I have never doneanything to the transmission.Also when the vehicle is idleing and the clutch is not depressed its very noisy once you depress the clutch noise goes away.I just had a new clutch installed last week with all hardware.

Your input is greatly appreciated ASAP i need to take it in on Wed 3/06/07 so I can repair what is needed.
Thanks,
Bill

[83_maxima]

I am assuming this article also applies to the FS5W71B transmission that was used in the maximas.

Nissan 5-Speed Transmission Problems

[1982810maximadiesel]

What does that mean?

[83_maxima]

click on the link...

[asavage]

You have a bad front input bearing or front countershaft bearing. You haven't been changing the trans oil, and those brgs are a weak area in the FS5W71b transmission. Follow the link Ben provided for more info.

[1982810maximadiesel]

The mechanic says its the bearings. I change the drivetrain fluids once a year with synthetic.
thanks for your help
Bill

1982 Datsun Maxima Diesel 275.000 miles

[1982810maximadiesel]

Do you think if the bearings get replaced the transmission noise will go away? Would you recommend a new transmission? Where can I get a new one or used?

[asavage]

275.000 miles I have never doneanything to the transmission.

I change the drivetrain fluids once a year with synthetic.

Do you think if the bearings get replaced the transmission noise will go away?

Maybe, maybe not. If run very long with a bad bearing, the gear teeth wear in an abnormal pattern and replacing the brg(s) will not restore quiet operation. BTDT.

Would you recommend a new transmission? Where can I get a new one or used?

While I am not certain, I think it's likely that the gasser version of the Maxima transmission is a bolt-in.

I can't make a recommendation about replacing the transmission -- you have to have yours apart to ascertain its rebuildability.

[1982810maximadiesel]

Thanks for all your help.I am going to try the rebuild and see how it goes.If so, the noise does not go away and the bearings are changed how long can I go with this transmission? Will it be reliable for another 275.000 miles?

[philip]

Will it make the transmission at least reliable What do you recommend i do with this transmission?will a rebuild cure the problem meaning I send it out to get overhauled and done. What can I expect? less noise,vibration chatter.

Noise comes from clearances (slack or backlash) being taken up suddenly and when gears mesh less than perfectly. At your stage of things, new gears.

A "rebuild" is "typical soft parts" like bearings, synchros, gaskets, seals, oil. Gears are outside of typical rebulds. Sometimes it is cheaper to get a used trans whose bearings are still good (suggests good gears) and rebuild that gearbox. Then again, you don't know (unless you heard it run) if the used gearbox was quiet or not. To make matters worse, it's not uncommon for the rebuilder to tell you that an all new gear set will get noisy. They just want to cover their behind and keep your expectations low.

I've got 45k on a chattering gearbox in a 720 pickup. All the gears were good but loose. I had it "rebuilt." A few miles from the shop ... as soon as the oil thinned, it exhibited the same idle/neutral/clutch released chatter. It has not gotten worse. But oils DO make a difference. I've tried several. Single grade 90 weight GL3 oil NON HYPOID synthetic. Redline makes such a product. Heavier oil just makes the synchros slip which makes shifting notchy and doesn't quiet anything. Heavier includes 90w-140wt or 140wt.

[83_maxima]

You'd probably end up spending a lot less $$$ if you threw a junkyard 280zx tranny in there as a replacement. My JY wants $70 for a used 5 speed tranny. It is a FS5W71B as well, so it will bolt right it - ratios are slightly different.

[dlh]

If the transmission is trash, keep the bellhousing from it. The bellhousings can be used for the C box swap.

[asavage]

dlh: Talk to me more of this "C box swap".

Ben: IIRC, the OD ratio is slightly less tall on the diesel version gearset, which at the speeds the OP is talking about driving often, would make enough difference to make me think about retaining the diesel OD gears at the least.

On the 720 SD I had, where I put a '79 gasser trans gearset in it, never gets driven at high enough speeds where the difference in OD matters.

[dlh]

A few in the z crowd are looking to the c box mod since the B boxes are getting old and harder to get parts for.

Here's a link for the mods needed for the swap. You can also find more in the archives on zcar.com using "240sx transmission swap" or variations.

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/index.html

http://www.zcar.com/forums/read.php?f=1 ... ply_566791

http://www.zcar.com/forums/read.php?f=1 ... ply_703393

I know there was a thread that had pics of the modified transmission crossmember, but couldn't find it.


run down of mods needed for the swap---

machine the z/zx bellhousing to allow it to use the larger bearing from the sx.

machine the shift rod holes to allow for the larger shift rods from the sx tranny.

shorten the driveshaft.

modify the transmission mount to allow the longer sx transmission.

[asavage]

Thanks, both for your accurate summary and the links, which I did read.