Re: '99 Max Se 5sp with 120K miles,what to replace?

Tom Yakulis wrote:
> Hi all,
> I drive a '99 Se 5speed that just hit 120K miles. I was wondering what
parts 
> typically fail and should be replaced around this mileage.
> Thanks 

First, do the 60k maintenance again:
- drain/replace coolant
- new belts
- new OEM platinum plugs
- new fuel filter
- replace gear oil (use Amsoil MTG or Redline MT-90 - both are synthetic 
GL-4 75w-90 oils)

Definitely get your transmission inspected.  The 4th gen 5 speeds are 
notorious for having problems with differential carrier bearing wear.  A 
tranny shop can find it pretty quickly (they just grab the driver side 
axle end and see if the diff moves within the tranny housing).  Nissan's 
original transmission assembly did not ****m most of these trannys 
properly, and depending on how badly the bearings were set is how long 
the transmission will last.  If your bearings are wearing too fast you 
want to catch it early, take it to a manual transmission specialist, and 
have them re-****m the diff during the rebuild.  If you procrastinate the 
gears/shafts will run misaligned and develop uneven wear and you'll 
stand much greater risk of sudden failure.  I say all this about the 5 
speed trannys because I've rebuild over a dozen of them and there are 
more every day.

There are other things like oil seals and valve cover gaskets that can 
develop minor oil leaks.  Just keep an eye out for that - many maximas 
go a much longer time than 120k without these leaks and since the leaks 
are generally harmless there is no need IMHO to get preventive about it.

Dave