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350z 3rd gear grind. How long until tranny blows?

Old Aug 12, 2017 | 10:25 AM
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Default 350z 3rd gear grind. How long until tranny blows?

I have a 2003 350z with about 105k miles on it. It now grinds 3rd gear, and only 3rd gear. It doesn't grind when the RPMs are above 5k and shifting in heavy throttle, and it doesn't grind when I rev it up between 2-3 gear shift.

My question is, being that this is likely the tranny and 3rd gear synchro going out... How long until the transmission blows and is totally non-functional? Is this a common occurrence for the tranny to totally fail, or will it go on grinding forever if I can tolerate it?
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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 10:39 AM
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Either or, it might just grind out 3rd gear

My buddy had a work truck with only 1st and 4th he used for like 6 years before he sold it.

Bad gears doesn't always = blown tranny like it might for a motor. Transmissions are very stout.

Most the time trannys blow due to too much power, or low/bad fluids.

You'll probably just lose 3rd and need to change your fluid with all the shavings. Just won't have a 3rd gear after so long.
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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 11:19 AM
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So the things I hear about some transmissions just getting stuck in gear is not accurate.
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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 01:29 PM
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Common issue of the early CD00X transmissions.

Third gear gronk doesn't mean the trans is gonna puke its guts and stop working, just means you should do what anyone does with problematic synchros.... go back to old school double clutching and/or rev match and/or heel-toe (or all in whatever combination.)

Mine's been doing that since I got it 4.5 years ago.... no problem EXCEPT when pushing hard and forgetting about the issue going 2-3 but never 4-3 due to using the above techniques.
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Old Aug 16, 2017 | 08:29 AM
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The only way a trans will lock, is if something jams the mechanism, or your loss your clutch/pressure plate.

Grinding out gears just makes that gear non existent and empty. So in short yes it is a myth as far as what you're picturing. Again many people have driven cars with 1 or even 2 gears left.

It sucks but it works if you need it to.
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Old Aug 16, 2017 | 01:59 PM
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My '03 ate 3rd gear. It will just grind and crunch until one day... no more 3rd. Then you'll have to skip it and go from 2nd to 4th each time. This will not be fun. Thus I would start searching junk yards or craigslist for a replacement CD009 tranny. I scored mine out of crashed G35 for $660. Just replaced the fluid and throw-out bearing, then had a buddy help me swap it in.
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