My performance 350Z has had a rough-feeling 1-2 shift ever since new. The problem is most noticeable when cold, but occurs sporatically even when hot. Will a new clevis fix this? The dealers aren't any help with troubleshooting... I heard that there was a new design from Dec. '02 onward... clearly, my car was built before that rumored change. Any thoughts?
Mika

 

I spoke with my source about this.

I understand that to approximately Vin# 2000, the Zs came with the short clevis pin. There is a huge difference in these early Zs in that the clutch is heavier and the clutch engages much closer to the floor than later production Zs.

These Zs tend to have the 3rd gear grind. I have the 3rd and 5th gear grind on cold start where the gears will grind even with the clutch fully depressed. I also have a difficult 1st to 2nd gear shift which during racing can result in serious grind. Did this as I was testing out the new Borla over at LaBree's while a group of members looked on thinking "what a putz!"

Lastly, my source said that the grind problem is not yet fixed. Hence you see people on their second and third trannies still having the same problem. I will eventually swap out the pin and the transmission before the warranty expires.

 

Very interesting,

I have a an early vin (pre 1000) and I have the same grind in second when shifting quickly (Look like a fool every time), the clutch grabs very low, and when normally shifting to third there is a syncro noise (like a swssshhh), but no grind.

I also have the tumbling rocks sound when the car is warm and the clutch is out, the noise then goes away when the clutch is engaged.

I would like this fixed sooner then later.

hfm - Does your "source" have any info about when the grind will be fixed?

 

Have Performance 350Z was built July 02, no problems with shifting. Shifts smoothly no grind in any gears.

 

No, Nissan is still working on the problem but there remains no fix and I was not given a date when a fix will be available. What I'm going to do is wait for about a year or so and deal with it at that time.

However, my source clearly said that you should take advantage of the warranty at some point in time for this problem.

Of course, I'll post as soon as I hear about a fix.

 

VIN 1596 Track Model.

No tranny problems I can see so far.

 

I think the lower VIN numbers are prone to it but the other factor is driving, I just got a new tranny due to the 3rd gear grind.

I think that those of us that do repeated autox or track events tend to accelarate the failure of the 3rd gear synchro, I think that for others it is just a matter of time.

Build 7/02 VIN 573 9500 miles, and no problems until 2 weeks ago.

 

My VIN is 767 and my 3rd gear synchro is toast. The problem manifested itself when the tranny got hot at the track and getting the car to downshift into 3rd gear was a fussy process. And then one day the grind appeared and stayed whether I upshift or downshift. Tranny is here, and I drop it off next week for them to fix several other problems too.

 

Mine was similar, one track event it started to get very difficult to shift into third, specially downshift, then the next event the grind started and stayed for good. Before that no grind other than twice one morning 2 months ago.

 

I took delivery Nov 4, 2002. None of these issues have shown up in just under 7000 miles. I'll have to check the VIN, but I recall the car being built around Sept.

SteveZ

 

I have VIN 725 and take my car to AUTO X. SO far I have over 11k miles and the tranny is nice and sweet. I do notice the cluth grabs a little higher then some people have reported.

Maybe I am just lucky so far....

 

My VIN is 3172...

I am having my (2nd) tranny in for repair and the service dept has now called Nissan's Tech Support... and they told them to take it apart and basically "trial and error" the situation

I actually had a problem I don't think I read anyone having. My 5th gear was locked out... so I had to go slightly all the way over and then up... instead of going all the way over and up.

The car also grinds in the 2nd - 3rd gear shifting fast.


I dunno... anyone know the exact info for the Lemon Law in CA?

 

Can't help you there (lemon law). What were your tranny problems with the 1st?
SteveZ
VIN 3280

 

My coupe started this about a week ago (7Kmi., 11-02 build).

After about 5-minutes, stops grinding but very notchy. After 15-minutes feels normal.

 

Had similar problems with the manual transaxle in my Altima. Good news - didn't lose any gears. Bad news - fried bearings on main shaft.

Redline seemed to help with that car on tranny #2 - has anyone tried using Redline replacement tranny syn for their Z? I may get some for the Z...

Sounds like a lot probs here are the synchos - no smooth shift 3-4, won't stay in the gate, etc.

One thing I noticed I do out of habit is pop the throttle to match revs doing the 4-3 shift, wasn't even aware I was doing it. Old habits die hard...

Last - can anyone tell me who actually makes the M-6 tranny? Thanks!

Hope your tranny problems work out OK.
SteveZ

Steve Z