Transmission front cover shaft broken!

[BlackZ28629]

So, I took off the transmission, clutch, etc. and I've discovered that the front cover shaft that the throw out bearing goes onto snapped off right by the cover... Where can I get one? Is the KA24E and DE the same? What kind of grease do I need to regrease everything? Thanks!

Also, has anyone ever tried to weld this? Mine is broken pretty clean around the base so it looks like a good weld could fix it...what metal.is this made of?

[Seishuku]

That's a pretty common area to break, and as far as I know, any FS5W71C transmission front cover will work (S12, S13, Z31, some 2WD trucks, etc).

You *COULD* weld it back together, but it would never be quite the same... If you would like to try, it's made from aluminum.

I usually use a high quality synthetic grease, but I recall the service manual calls for white lithium grease.

[BlackZ28629]

I think if I TIG weld it, it will be stronger...it broke really clean and goes back on perfectly square where it was...glad to know it's aluminum and not pot metal! So when I regrease, what am I putting grease on exactly? the shaft that's broke? Thanks!

Also, why is there a "weep hole" in the shaft of the cover? I was gonna weld that up too..is there a specific purpose for this hole besides potentially spitting gear oil on the clutch and ruining it?

[Seishuku]

Not sure what alloy they cast it with, but it's weldable for sure. Generally welding aluminum won't have enough penetration to make it as strong as it was before, unless you cut a v groove to fill.

Yeah, grease the smooth area that the throwout bearing rides on.

That weep hole is for the trans front shaft seal, so you know if the seal goes bad. It's better to leak there, then coming out the end of the tube and into the center of the clutch.

[BlackZ28629]

cool man, thanks for clarifying that for me! We'll see what happens! Do you know where I can get that seal? The one I took out of there looks really good, but, might as well replace it with a new one....I'll post some pics up after the welding

[Seishuku]

Any autoparts store should have it, or can get it for you.

[BlackZ28629]

cover welded:







So any thoughts? Should I use this one or try to source another one?? My only concern is the weld itself doesn't let the throwout bearing go all the way back against the cover..Does it need to travel all the way back?

[Seishuku]

I would still look for a spare, just in case.

I seem to recall that it doesn't come back all the way, but I can't say that I've ever really paid that much attention to it.

[BlackZ28629]

After much contemplation, I decided to order a new one just to be sure...Don't wanna risk having to pull the transmission out just to replace a $50 part!

[rustest86]

change the pilot bushing too!!! thats why it broke. had this happen repeatly untill i changed it. oh and nissan makes a pilot bearing too if you wanted to go that route. nismo catalog for a 350z, part #32202-09500