GriffGTV Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) ..err. and Jug..and.. Edited July 30, 2015 by GriffGTV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) Dunno I kick the @*!# out my gearbox on 130k and still gravy Edited July 30, 2015 by StevoD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geg1992 Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Dunno I kick the @*!# out my gearbox on 130k and still gravy What year and engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisday1990 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) My HR gearbox is solid at 49k and after having Japex put Nissan oil in (moly slip causing problems now it reported) and silky smooth, yes the odd clunk like a sliding bolt in gun but feels good, cold start 1-2nd little tight but all my cars have Been the same and clutch at nearly 50k is solid... I am sorry to say but if your car is shagged it's because the driver before you was pants. I would not say it is fair to blame Nissan the people who designed these cars are miles ahead of any of us in terms of brain power. 😜 Edited July 31, 2015 by chrisday1990 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Dunno I kick the @*!# out my gearbox on 130k and still gravy What year and engine? 2003 De Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 My 2005 DE is still on its original gearbox and has been used predominantly on track for 10 years. 666 bhp at the wheels and 560 lbs ft. So no drama here. Alex. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 What on earth is all that Google search nonsense about! I mean look... ...I agree the gearboxes aren't great, in fact one of the weaker areas, my 04 DE had a really clunky one and felt a bit loose not tight at all which made the gear shifts feel really lazy. I could even get the gear stick to clunk and move when just manipulating the cars speed in first gear, my 16 year old R33 was putting through more power but the gear felt very tight and the 20 year old Celica is even better (although suspect there is a TRD short shifter buried in there). But its not as common as this thread seems to be making out that gear syncros are failing left right and centre. I can count on one hand the number of people that have mentioned having paid out to have them sorted at 350z meets of all sorts, I know mine didn't suffer from problems getting it actually into gear. Just sounds like you have been a little unlucky and the previous owner probably abused the gearbox somewhat more than average. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GriffGTV Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 ..I guess reality is somewhere between, its an expensive Russian roulette though Google serch results by number of results is indeed misleading (parenthesis may help) but you only have to read the first...few dozen and follow the threads to be alarmed - some were happening from new, first driver, without spirited driving - then undeniably there are those thrashing the car for high mileage and no complaints .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) you find me one car which hasnt ever has a fault or a flaw and i will prove you wrong, using this google theory Edited July 31, 2015 by StevoD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Exactly, there is a nice website somewhere that shows all manufacturer recalls, the first Z4s had numerous recalls due to battery fires etc. Every new car has its weaknesses as well as some that manifest themselves down the line, remember the first 350z's are now over a decade old. You cannot believe everything you read on the internet "I have driven my car like Miss Daisy and the gearbox, engine, brakes and tyres have all failed its Nissans fault shout shout etc" Having been on this site now since 2012 the number of genuine issues with the gearbox has been minimal I have been to meets with 20 350z owners and non have gearbox problems, there are plenty of comments that they aren't as good as other cars which I think is fair, but not that its a widespread problem where the car is undrivable, you sound like you have simply been unlucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 ..I guess reality is somewhere between, its an expensive Russian roulette though Google serch results by number of results is indeed misleading (parenthesis may help) but you only have to read the first...few dozen and follow the threads to be alarmed - some were happening from new, first driver, without spirited driving - then undeniably there are those thrashing the car for high mileage and no complaints .... 3 words: To much information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeezeebaba Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 The forums for any car can be alarmist. In general forums are great positive sources for info on the cars owned, the downside is any negative however rare becomes a focal point for paranoia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimboy2 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I feel sorry for any potential new owner joining this forum over the next few days. There are about 5 gearbox threads for almost no reason. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I know, appreciate that its not nice to have a big thing go on you straight away (I had to do the clutch flywheel change 1000 miles after getting mine cost = £750) but thats life with owning a more powerful car. The gearbox syncros on 350z's are not a huge failing, not even a common failing, they unfortunately affect a few cars here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Okay, on a serious note then, is there actually an inherent weakness to many, many 350Z gearboxes that I've completely missed in my time here? I don't just mean a handful breaking, I mean utterly game changing, this will happen to all eventually, something along the lines of the IMS on Porsches, that kind of thing? Because, honestly, this is the first I've heard about it and it looks a bit scaremongery to me. I mean, it's crap if it's happened to you, but is it just one of those things? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 i mean what next grundy blow his motor up on track does that mean noone should take there car on track as it will do the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 My 2005 DE is still on its original gearbox and has been used predominantly on track for 10 years. 666 bhp at the wheels and 560 lbs ft. So no drama here. Alex. Well and truly tested and still going strong and from my visit to Knockhill that Alex uses the gearbox is not exactly left idle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 my 2003 zed was on 70k when I sold it, still on original clutch and gearbox was perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GriffGTV Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) ....I really, really want to believe there isnt an issue (look at my post activity to see how enthusiastic I am)...it came as a bit of a shock - even a US specialist selling boxes, refers to the specific issues I had identified from all the reported symptoms and YTube reports...coincidence? - Obstructive gears and dry scouring sound when clutch raised in idle - the DMF & clutch issues are addressable and can be considered 'routine' wear items and a baulky first, even second gear when cold that always comes good when warm again is not a problem (ZF were renowned for it) But if the baulking doesnt clear with heat, or gets worse with time, the baulk/synchro rings are worn and every rough gear selection is likely to wear edge of gear teeth and deposit swarf into circulating oil Synchros really are hard to get wrong, as is designing appropriate shaft support bearings, so seems strange that it took so many years of evolution to improve (does 370 box ihave this sorted?) (not v clear on this clip) Edited July 31, 2015 by GriffGTV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 There isn't an issue. I'd be more worried that you'll end up with a car that's been run on 95RON all it's life than I would a gearbox that might go pop. The former is far, FAR more likely to occur than the latter. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Chris Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 My DE box was never coddled and was like a knife through butter with the gears up to 190K. Then I sold the car, but its still going strong as I see it out there on the roads from time to time. The only time I had a problem was when I put some 'quality' oil into it at about 80/90K. It screeched when cold and got notchy. After advice from Alex I put genuine Nissan oil in and it was back to normal. Anecdotal evidence means nothing though. Your gearbox failed, mine was great. They are mechanical items and subject to so many variable of build quality, tolerances and environment (which includes poor driver habits) that you will never get a straight answer unless you define 'failure' and survey a very large number of cars. The OP has been unlucky but I can't see it as anything more than that. There is no smoking gun here. A sensible option when buying any powerful and older car is to budget a fair amount for an expensive problem and that is about all you can really say with any certainty of truth. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Chris Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 There isn't an issue. I'd be more worried that you'll end up with a car that's been run on 95RON all it's life than I would a gearbox that might go pop. The former is far, FAR more likely to occur than the latter. Quite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 ....I really, really want to believe there isnt an issue (look at my post activity to see how enthusiastic I am)...it came as a bit of a shock - even a US specialist selling boxes, refers to the specific issues I had identified from all the reported symptoms and YTube reports...coincidence? - Obstructive gears and dry scouring sound when clutch raised in idle - the DMF & clutch issues are addressable and can be considered 'routine' wear items and a baulky first, even second gear when cold that always comes good when warm again is not a problem (ZF were renowned for it) But if the baulking doesnt clear with heat, or gets worse with time, the baulk/synchro rings are worn and every rough gear selection is likely to wear edge of gear teeth and deposit swarf into circulating oil Synchros really are hard to get wrong, as is designing appropriate shaft support bearings, so seems strange that it took so many years of evolution to improve (does 370 box ihave this sorted?) (not v clear on this clip) A US gearbox specialist selling gearbox services in telling potential customer there are problems with gearboxes that need to be sorted 'shocker' I guess its up to you in the end, you can believe what some guy in the US says who sells gearbox services along with some spurious google search that there are headless chickens at Nissan who designed a gearbox that only affects 350z's of owners who are not on this forum or you can accept that you and a couple of other members have gotten unlucky at the same time (yes that is a coincidence) and are just going to have to bite the bullet and sort it out one way or the other - also that there is no Nissan gearbox consipricy going on here as iterated by a number of very experienced 350z owners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GriffGTV Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks for that Ek - doesnt the ECU map simply retard the advance to compensate for low grade fuel in countries not having hi octane? I am open to being convinced (at least partially) that the Slave cylinder could in fact feature high in the list of possible culprits for gear baulking and subsequent synchro damage ....what do the Cognoscenti reckon? - Is this theory a realistic ray of hope for the worried? - a leaking slave wouldnt release cover plate sufficiently, creating baulky shifts.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GriffGTV Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 ....the amount of adamant support for gearbox integrity is very encouraging (would like to know of a competent affordable resto service as a back up though!)- assuming it is practical, when Nissan apparently states no parts removed from shafts can be re-used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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