Hey all, I wanted to get people's inputs on here. I have an 03 with 35k miles, and about 2 months ago I started experiencing a 5th gear grind. At around 4-5k+ rpms it grinds every single time going from 4th to 5th, and also from 6th to 5th, but not at lower speeds. It does this everytime you shift normally, not speed shifting or anything, but if you go in very slowly and carefully it does go in without a grind. So I took it to Nissan today to get checked out since my car is still under the factory powertrain warranty. So the mechanic takes it for a drive, comes back and says it does it fact grind in 5th, but that it was a "clutch jutter" and that the clutch needs to be replaced and not the transmission. Also, that the clutch is a wear item and not covered under warranty. The car has never been raced, modded, driven hard, or had anybody "learn stick" on, so I really don't know how the clutch could have went in 35k miles. It holds fine, feels firm, no issues. Is my problem in fact the clutch needing replacment like Nissan is telling me? Or should I get a second opinion because it sounds to you guys like a 5th gear syncro. I'd love to have some input from more knowledgable people about this, since I am not. Thanks in advance for any helpful posts in there. Thanks

Chris

 

Chris,

Your car has the defective transmission that has been discussed here many times. There is nothing wrong with your clutch. The problem is the transmission. Your mechanic is providing bogus information.

Obviously you drive conservatively, and that is the reason it has taken so long for this problem to become apparent. You should not be penalized for careful driving.

If you are still under the 50K drivetrain warranty, you qualify for a new transmission. In fact, a new transmission is the only reliable fix for this problem.

--Spike

 

Thank you very much!! Now I have ammo for when I go back there. I just didn't want to sound like an idiot if it was in fact my clutch that they're BSing me about.

Who should I ask to speak to if the service manager keeps giving me a hard time about it?

 

NNA 1-800-NISSAN-1
or
BBB (Better Business Bureau) in your area.

www.bbb.org

 

Thank you! I'll be calling Nissan if he gives me a hard time about it.