I have been noticing a 3rd gear grind on upshifts ever since it got cold around here as well.. I somhow doubt this is a driver error issue.. I wonder if Nissan is acknowledging this at all as a existant issue. The only way I can avoid it is if I shift slowly into 3rd...

 

mine grinds into 2nd and when shifting into 1st when rolling. with only 300 miles.

 

Mine just started this too, only when cold.

 

I know - really stupid question - How consistent is the problem (every time you shift or only occasionally)?

I have experienced it twice but thought it was my fault - clutch was fully depressed, but I forced the shifter with more pressure than usually is needed to get in into the gear. There was a grinding and I quickly released pressure (It was how I imagined a car without synchros would behave i.e. double clutch etc.

In all of the previous examples, did the shift lever move smoothly into gear or did it feel like you had to force it?

Best regards!

 

I too thought it was me. My wife even asked why I do it, but she doesn't. Then I noticed it was only 3rd gear. 2nite, I left to go to the store, and did it right off the bat, and noticed my clutch foot was down to the floor.
I thought, maybe I shifted before I fully engaged the clutch, so I slowed, went back to 2nd, and then pushed the clutch fully in, gently but smoothly shifted to 3rd and it did it again. I repeated this 4 more times, then it stopped. I think it always does it when cold only, and once it warms it stops. Several others have had their trans replaced due to this.

 

It doesn't do it ever time but a lot. i shift slow to avoid it. 2nd and fourth are very very notchy and you have to exert quite a bit of force to shift into these two gears. both are engaged by pulling back on the shifter...hmm i wonder if that has anything to do with that.

 

Those of you haveing tranny problems, do you own first production cars or second production series ?

 

How can you tell which is first or second

 

don't know what series mine is but its got a serial # of about 7400 and was manufactured in november

 

vin #915

 

hmm.. i usually get the grinding shift on 2nd and 6th gears. 2nd is really bad.. it just feels nasty shifting... unless when i rev match it.. it doesn't seem as bad. I forgot my VIN.. but it was produced around October. 3rd gear is fine for me BTW

 

Has anyone sent a complaint to NHTSA? If this is a defect it should be identified. Go to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/ and enter your complaint. I'm sure Nissan would take note.

 

when i first bought my z, the tranny use to grind in 2nd gear when cold. sounds weird, but i have 11,000 miles now and she shifts perfectly, no more grinding. not sure why myself...

 

nissan just repalaced my tranny for 3rd gear grind at high revs ,they said nissan was aware of that problem said they changed something on the new trans my is working fine know.

 

The new tranny is accompanied with a new clevis pin. The new clevis pin is approx 3 mm longer, iI beleive the addtional length is what allows the tranny to engage 3rd gear with the having the lovely grind effect that we have all come to know and love.

 

I too am waiting for a new tranny and a drive shaft. I didn't notice any grinding though it just feels notchy. But, the main reason for the replacement is the transmission leak. I also called NNA to find out when my new tranny suppose to get here and they're suppose to get back with me. She told me that this was the first time she has heard of any transmission problems!!!!

900 miles
Vin# 90--

 

"This is the first time I've heard of this..." seems to be the common response from Nissan on any problem...

 

Just got my 350Z three weeks ago. Did this car come with the corrected transmision? Only have 600 miles on it and have not noticed any grinding yet, but, getting nervous when reading this thread.


lance

 

Mines going back soon for trans # 2... Actually the 3rd one in the car. The first one lasted 4000 miles and the "new" 2nd one got about 8000 miles. Maybe #3 will go 12000 miles.... Do I hear "lemon law"......

 

Hey guys, explain to me what your problem is. I have experienced grinding of the gears maybe 6 or 7 times total over 8500 miles. I never paid enough attention to determine what gear it is in. I just chalked it up to letting the clutch out too quickly, before getting the gear engaged. It is pretty embarrassing when you are showing the car off to someone and do a big nasty grind. It does seem like the gears are stiff and sometimes hard to engage and also that the clutch doesn't engage quickly enough or disengage quickly enough. I'm wondering if I have your problem or if I am my own problem.