01 Pathfinder Manual Transmission Noise - any ideas?

[Pathy-D]

Hey Guys, I have a 5spd manual transmission 2001 Pathfinder SE with 185,000 kms on it (bought it two years ago at 137K). A week ago, it started making a grinding-type (definitely unhealthy) noise when I shift from first to second and from second to third. It only made the noise in the shift from 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 (i.e. after I push the clutch pedal down and before I engage it back in) and only sometimes on downshifting. I checked the gear oil and it was a bit low so I topped it off, which seemed to help for awhile. Now, it occasionally makes the noise in shifting (not all the time, which seems weird to me) and sometimes will also make the same unhealthy noise when I am stopped at a light with the shifter in neutral and my foot off the clutch pedal.

Thinking it might be the clutch and not the transmission, I did the initial Haynes clutch diagnostics that you can do without taking things apart and everything seems fine (fluid is high, etc.)

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

(BTW, a big thanks to all of the posts regarding the MAF and coil packs: that saved me big money and I was able to do all the repairs myself).

[pathfinder9035]

sounds like it just the clutch going bad. i have the same year with 5 speed and when i hit 3rd or 4th gear sometimes it grinds because i know i have a bad clutch. does it do it when u have the clutch depressed down the whole way?

[Pathy-D]

thanks! It doesn't do it as often or as badly when I have the clutch down the whole way and wait an extra half-second before I shift. Is this like what is happening to you? I'm just praying that it is only the clutch and not a transmission job that I have ahead of me.

[keelhaul]

On my 02 pathfinder I noticed alot of noise coming from shifter area. I discovered that I had ripped the rubber boot that is on the shifter at the transmission. It wasn't a grinding sound more of a whirring sound from the release bearing. New boot now it is silent again. Just a thought. Also i fried my clutch at 130 000km to the point it wouldnt move the vehicle. I could shift it in and out of gear at a standstill without the clutch and without it grinding, since the clutch was slipping so bad. If it is grinding during shifts either the clutch is not set up correctly via the pedal adjustments or the synchros inside the transmission are toast. my $0.02

[pathfinder9035]

yeah my pathy has 104000 miles and i beath the living **** out of it and i am expection a clutch job maybe by ths summer, if your is grinding bad u might want to get your clutch replaced. soon before u damage any of the gears from grinding and stuff. if your like me i might have to replace my clutch every 50000 miles haha

[pathfinder9035]

theres many ways that u can do to save your clutch. when your driving on the highway and u throw it in neutral to coast down a hill or something you'll notice that it is very hard to shift back in to gear, well... u need to rev the engine back to wher u think it woul dbe at that certain speed than put it in gear that way your engine and your drive train are at the same speed. u can shift without the clutch but dont do it at highspeeds or heavy acceleration. use your clutch only half way when u get a new one of course. if u dont reall know how to shift without using the clutch let me nknow it is very easy.

[Pathy-D]

Thanks guys - you were dead on. Bad clutch. I've got it replaced now and it's running perfectly.

[Adnan]

theres many ways that u can do to save your clutch. when your driving on the highway and u throw it in neutral to coast down a hill or something you'll notice that it is very hard to shift back in to gear, well... u need to rev the engine back to wher u think it woul dbe at that certain speed than put it in gear that way your engine and your drive train are at the same speed. u can shift without the clutch but dont do it at highspeeds or heavy acceleration. use your clutch only half way when u get a new one of course. if u dont reall know how to shift without using the clutch let me nknow it is very easy.

OH lord...dont tell me you use that old trick on your truc

[jimmyzzer]

oh those poor syncros in the transmission.

[ReKleineR]

How much did that run yuh? Just so I know when I need to replace my clutch... I like to slam gears like a turd somedays.

[QUOTE=pathfinder9035 when your driving on the highway and u throw it in neutral to coast down a hill or something you'll notice that it is very hard to shift back in to gear, well... u need to rev the engine back to wher u think it woul dbe at that certain speed than put it in gear that way your engine and your drive train are at the same speed. .[/QUOTE]

I never through it into nuetral to coast, but some times I like to be like a biker or fast and the furious driver and rev up my down shifts, I've gotten better and it makes down shifting alot smoother.

[pathfinder9035]

yeah... that i do that sometimes to. its so fun. i also like having my foot to the floor when i shift and really slam the gears. it really ruins your clutcfh but i can get to churp in second and third! lol... not recommended i might i have to replace my clutch soon

[ReKleineR]

My 3.3 wont churp 3rd... but second, sometimes if its wet lol. I try not to beat on the pathy too much, she loves me back.

[pathfinder9035]

lol yeah but i think pathfinders are designed for it so i beat the living **** out of my car. now i came to realize that it needs to last me threw out colllege so i need to chill. i have to fix **** loads of stuff to make it run back to normal. like maf and all the damn o2 sensor. ugh.. dumb sensors that are not needed