Transmission Noise Woes

[ky_infiniti2000]

There is a grind sound coming from my transmission.
It is present when the car is at idle, when the car is in gear and moving (noise is engine rpm dependant).
The sound disappears when the clutch is pushed to the floor.

My first guess was the throw out bearing. But my friend thinks it might be the bearing on the input shaft. Any ideas.

[T4 Primera]

Here what the Haynes manual has to say:

"Manual Transmission

Noisy in neutral with engine running.

Input shaft bearings worn (noise apparent with clutch pedal released, but not when depressed)

Clutch release bearing worn (noise apparent with clutch pedal depressed, possibly less when released)"

Hope that helps.

[ky_infiniti2000]

thanks...now do i take it to the dealer or a local tranmission shop?

[T4 Primera]

Originally posted by ky_infiniti2000
thanks...now do i take it to the dealer or a local tranmission shop?

Your symptoms seem to indicate the input shaft bearings.

I'd say get quotes from both from as many places as it takes to be convinced you're not getting ripped off. Ask about warranties on their work, ask how much downtime, and compare with getting another good 2nd hand one. I'm usually more concerned about a place that has experience in the particular type of work you want done. Sometimes you can get a good idea if they know their stuff when talking with them.

Are you gonna remove and install the tranny yourself?

Pay to check out the clutch while you're in there and, if required, replace it while everything is apart.

[ky_infiniti2000]

I was debating on removing it myself...any suggestions on that?? should i drop the tranny myself or just give them the whole car?

[T4 Primera]

First of all, get a shop to do a diagnosis of the problem, just to be sure that you're fixing the right part.

How long you can put up with the car being off the road, and whether you can set aside some time to do it, also needs consideration. If you find a good replacement tranny or an exchange deal (rather than repairing yours) then you might get the car back the same day if you give it to them whole.

Ask whoever would repair the tranny what the saving in labour cost would be and decide if it's worth all the hassle of tackling it yourself.

If you do decide to remove/install yourself, then I'd allow 1 day for removal and 1 for refitting if you haven't done it before. If you have done it before then you could probably halve that time.

A tranny shop would do this considerably faster (probably 2 to 4 hours total for removal/refitting) so the cost saving may not be worth all the hassle. You'll also have some comeback on them if the install wasn't right.

Personally, I've never done this on a P10 but I have replaced the clutch on my Mitsi' turbo and it ain't rocket science, just a lot of greasy hands, an occassional skinned knuckle, some sweat and maybe some swearwords.

If you decide on, and feel confident about, doing it yourself and have the tools/info/resources needed then there is no reason you couldn't carry out removal/refitting.

I strongly recommend Haynes manual #1851 for 1990 - 1999 Nissan Primera. It has an excellent procedure (w/pics) for removal/refitting of the manual tranny. Your local library may have a copy, otherwise it's not an expensive book. It has some helpful tips like - it's not necessary to undo the driveshaft retaining nuts at the hubs (you can just free the inner end and place it free of the tranny). Unless you're experienced, I suggest you obtain a procedure to guide you through.

The only "special" tool I can think of that you'd need is a ball-joint seperator tool.

[ky_infiniti2000]

thanks for the insight...i will drive over there 2morrow and find out the deal.