My Z at 12,000 miles was getting too loud to drive, so I dropped it off at the dealer. Turns out the front tires had ridges on the inside. The dealer called me back and said there was a technical service bulletin on an alignment problem that can cause tire problems. He said the fix was to remount the tires and have them wear themselves correct. I declined this fix. I asked them to petition Nissan for new tires.

He also said the noise I heard when the clutch was released in neutral was abnormal and that they were awaiting advice from Nissan on that issue. He said it sounded like a bad bearing.

He then called me back and said that Nissan had agreed to replace the transmission, but that the wheels showed damage, so they couldn’t help me on the tires. I explained the damage was the result of parking to close to the curb and that I need them to stand by me on this. A little berating ensued. I told them to hold off on the transmission until we had this tire thing resolved. I figured the transmission was a lucrative job for the dealer. Then they called back with two new tires and an alignment. Good guys.

However, I am nervous about the transmission thing. This dealer has never done one before, but they feel pretty confident about it. They told me Nissan does not let them do rebuilds. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

wait the dealership has never installed a trans ? Is this a new dealership ? Tell them to ship it to a confident dealership

 

This will be their first transmission in a 350Z. I'm sure they have done lots of 300Zs and Maximas and other cars.

 

how bad was ur tranny noise when clutch was disengaged in neutral? i can notice a small noise (like rubbing noise or something) when i let the clutch out in neutral vs. when the clutch is depressed. it's a subtle noise, but i can definitely tell it's there.

do you think this is the same problem as you had?

thanks in advance

 

The only way to describe it is unnatural. You could tell someting did not sound right. If the dealer didn't hear the same problem, I was going to compare it to a new one.

 

I just noticed this last night. I went for a drive, got back to the carport, put the car in neutral so I could put the top back up. After disengaging the clutch I heard what I can only describe as a noise that sounded like marbles being shaken in a tin can. This was before I started putting the top up so it had nothing to do with that. Anybody else have this problem?

woogemooge could your rubbing noise be close to the same thing. I have a 2004 Roadster with 1600 miles.

 

There are many theories on this subject and lots of posts. I can notice this noise as well in my car. My theory is that this is the way the transmission was designed, and not that something is wrong with the car mechanically. I could be wrong, but I have had the same noise since day one for 20,000 miles and no tranny problems as of yet. The only time I can hear it anyway, is when I am parked in my garage or some type of space that is enclosed, so that the sound echos more.