I drained the manual transmission fluid and a spring came out with it

[1995MaximaSE]

I have a 1995 Maxima Se with the 5 speed manual transmission.

As I was draining the manual transmission fluid a small spring came out with the fluid (out of the drain plug). I have no idea what the spring is for or how serious this is.

I've had this car for 1 month and I do know the previous owner had a new clutch put in within the last 5 months.

I've included 2 photos: The first shows the drain plug on the lower right and the fill plug in upper middle.

The second photo shows the spring that came out.

Any idea what the spring is for?



<P>

[sajori]

[MidnightLamp]

I'm guessing it's either a return spring or a check spring? Either way, that's not exactly good...at all.

Wait for someone on here to confirm, but I'd recommend checking if they're all in place, as each one should have a plug that allows access to the spring and the ball/plunger underneath it.

Nish

[1995MaximaSE]

Thanks for the info Nish, I'll have to get a Haynes manual and look up the parts you mentioned and how they fit together. I'm not into working on cars a whole lot but have been learning as I go.

Either way a "spring" flowing out with the fluid seems like trouble.

I had to drive the car to work and back today and all I can say is all seems normal and the car shifts much smoother since I put in some synthetic Amzoil 75W-90 GL-4. It's getting cold here and before the synthetic was in the shifting was very stiff until it warmed up after driving a few miles.

[fixer]

YOU TOOK OUT THE DETENT SPRING FOR ONE OF THE SHIFT RODS, the drain plug for your trans in facing the passenger side on the bottom of trans. you will need to find the ball bearing and replace the ball and spring into that hole. it is shifting easier because there is no detent on one of the shafts. trans may pop out of gear during hard accelleration.

[1995MaximaSE]

YOU TOOK OUT THE DETENT SPRING FOR ONE OF THE SHIFT RODS, the drain plug for your trans in facing the passenger side on the bottom of trans. you will need to find the ball bearing and replace the ball and spring into that hole. it is shifting easier because there is no detent on one of the shafts. trans may pop out of gear during hard accelleration.

Holy Carp....Thanks for the info fixer. I'm glad I took photos because I wasn't 100% sure that I removed the correct drain plug, it simply looked like the lowest point other than the plug where the neutral/reverse switch? is . I'll look for the correct plug on the passenger side of the trans.

I saved the old drained fluid in a 1 gallon can so I'll run it trough a strainer to see if the ball is in there.

BTW when putting the spring and ball back in does the spring go in first or the ball?