R32 V.spec Gearbox Recondition

[saliya]

Hi folks,

well, it's time to replace 3rd and 4th synchros on my R32 v.spec. I had toyed with the idea of purchasing a spare

box, swapping out and selling the old one, which will most likely be the easiest option but then I don't know what I'm getting.

I've removed/replaced an R32 box before.

I have the workshop manual for the R32; but I think the box on the v.spec is a 33.

So I don't know how close the manual is to reality in terms of the internals.

So. Is reconditioning a gearbox something for an amateur to attempt? I'm reasonably good with mechanical stuff.

I'm also happy to pay my local guy to do it (anyone have any estimates on time for a professional to disassemble

and reassemble); but I wanted to actually learn something.

The floor is open...

Saliya

[Amaru]

Not sure on how easy/hard it is, but just thought I would mention that you can no longer buy new parts for these gearboxes. If you want to recondition it with brand new Nissan stuff you will need to upgrade all the synchro gear to the R33 GTR Series 3 stuff, which is all Nissan sell for the 5 speed now. Adds up to be quite a costly exercise.

[Mandingo]

what abuot using R33 GTST synchros? AFAIK they are pretty much the same, save for the attessa bits hanging off

[saliya]

Hmm.

OK, so I've pulled the box, but gotten professional help to pull it apart and show me what bits

are what; and what goes where. Very informative experience, and very much appreciate the

time taken by the workshop to show me the ins and outs.

Just as an update because of what Amaru has added: synchros, bearings, and gaskets for this

box are all still available from Nissan Australia or (in the case of bearings) the supplier

of your choice. This information is current as of the now, of course but apparently the

box is very similar to a newer Navara gearbox so I'm hoping that these wearing-out parts

will continue to be available for awhile.

Other parts in the box - gears, sleeves, shafts - may or may not be available. I tried to get

a 3rd-4th sleeve and was told by Nissan that I had to buy new countershaft, new 1st-3rd gears,

new 1st-3rd synchros - a grand total of around $2k. I think this is what Amaru is talking about.

Thanks, Nissan, but no thanks. I think if it comes to that I'll be talking with PAR sooner than I

had budgeted for

Regards,

Saliya

[SteveL]

Just as an update because of what Amaru has added: synchros, bearings, and gaskets for this

box are all still available from Nissan Australia or (in the case of bearings) the supplier

of your choice. This information is current as of the now, of course but apparently the

box is very similar to a newer Navara gearbox so I'm hoping that these wearing-out parts

will continue to be available for awhile.

Other parts in the box - gears, sleeves, shafts - may or may not be available. I tried to get

a 3rd-4th sleeve and was told by Nissan that I had to buy new countershaft, new 1st-3rd gears,

new 1st-3rd synchros - a grand total of around $2k. I think this is what Amaru is talking about.

Thanks, Nissan, but no thanks. I think if it comes to that I'll be talking with PAR sooner than I

had budgeted for

You've contradicted yourself a little between the first and 2nd para's. Bearings and gaskets are certainly available, but synchros for any GTR gearbox built before about 1997 require fitting a bunch of other 'update' parts including gears, coupling rings, sleeves, etc, etc....for 3rd and 4th gears alone this ends up costing around $2K just for the parts. I found this out around 2 years ago when I re-built an R32 GTR gearbox. I know the Nissan parts people fairly well, and at the time I had them chase this right through Nissan in Japan. That said, from time-to-time I still see people on this forum claim to have got their GTR gearbox rebuilt with new synchros. I'd really like to know where they got the parts, but I suspec they might not be getting all that they paid for.

[Bl4cK32]

I need new bearings for a r33 series 1 box. Do these run the same bearings as the GTR's?

Do you guys know if i can get an aftermarket set of bearings, from say cbc, that will work in my gb?

Im trying to avoid the $450 pricetag for the genuine product too

[saliya]

Hi,

SteveL,

You've contradicted yourself a little between the first and 2nd para's.

No I haven't - I said that if I wanted a new 3rd-4th sleeve, I had to do a (roughly) $2k rebuild,

because a new original sleeve requires the fitment of a whole bunch of other parts.

Bearings and gaskets are certainly available, but synchros for any GTR gearbox built before about 1997 require fitting a bunch of other 'update' parts including gears, coupling rings, sleeves, etc, etc....for 3rd and 4th gears alone this ends up costing around $2K just for the parts.

You've contradicted me, at this point I'm saying you don't need updated internals for new

synchros, you're saying they are required.

To be honest I don't have the synchros in front of me right now; but I'm hoping to have them

in front of me on Monday. Since it's so contentious, I'll post the results as they come in.

When I ordered the parts on Friday, I paid under $400 for 3 synchros and a gasket set. I was told

that the parts were in stock and would be shipped on Friday, and that they would fit my car.

If I get synchros that don't fit; or a backpaddling story from Nissan, rest assured

you guys will be the first to know. But at this stage there's light at the end of the tunnel for us

GTR owners that have worn parts. Hopefully the light isn't an oncoming train

Bl4cK32,

I need new bearings for a r33 series 1 box. Do these run the same bearings as the GTR's?

Do you guys know if i can get an aftermarket set of bearings, from say cbc, that will work in my gb?

No idea. A new bearing 'set' (ha! there's no such thing) for my box for the commonly

replaced bearings is $600ish from Nissan, and under $200 from my local transmission guys.

You should be able to replace most if not all bearings with identical or better aftermarket parts,

and for less money,if that's any guide. You need to talk to a bearing expert

Regards,

Saliya

[Bl4cK32]

Yer i have talked to cbc, and they said they can match anything i bring in, but i wanted to buy the bearings before i get the box pulled apart, incase something goes wrong....

They dont have any listings for rb25, or rb26 boxes unfortunatly here in SA, just rb20 as its roughly the same as the vl box. I was hoping someone had done it before, and could supply part numbers etc...

[saliya]

Update: new synchros, gaskets arrived today. I checked the old against

the new and the new stuff looks correct.

Assembly will be a few days from now since I'm still hopeful of getting a

secondhand replacement sleeve in good nick. R32 GTR owners, take heed

edit: I got my parts from North Shore Mitsubishi.

Call 02 9439 3099 and ask for Nissan Spares.

Regards,

Saliya

Edited May 30, 2006 by saliya

[Guest Mashrock]

i was planning on doing something similar soon actually.

but i have 3 boxes to build one being from a gti-r

i'm sure 3rd gear is f**ked in the gtr box i have.

what was the cost in getting parts for the box?

[Links]

hmm.. my R33 box just got "fixed".. not looking forward to the bill tomorrow..

[saliya]

i was planning on doing something similar soon actually.

but i have 3 boxes to build one being from a gti-r

i'm sure 3rd gear is f**ked in the gtr box i have.

what was the cost in getting parts for the box?

Hi,

The cost is above; it was less than $400 for the 3 synchros + gaskets + oil seal.

Bearings are probably going to run me another $200 or so. This is all you should

need to recondition a box provided you haven't actually broken something.

If the gear is stuffed then you are up for big dollars (around $2k minimum for

genuine Nissan stuff).

This is because you need to replace the countershaft with the gears on it

(pretty sure it's one piece), then 1st-3rd on the output shaft,

1st-3rd sleeves/bearings/etc. Nasty.

At this point it's worthwhile investigating just buying a replacement box

(they seem to be around the $1k mark) or if you're doing the rebuild to

handle horsepower, investigating an OS Giken, PAR or PPG gear set.

PAR have 1st-3rd on the shelf, they quoted me roughly $4800 for me

to drop in a gearbox then pick it up with strengthened 1st-3rd (which

essentially gets you 1st-4th since 4th is direct drive).

OS is about $3k but I don't know exactly what you get for that money.

I haven't spoken to PPG since $5k is way out of my current budget,

and I understand that to go down the PPG path is more expensive again.

Regards,

Saliya

[Bl4cK32]

I got quoted around $550 for a full syncro set for the r33 box, and $450 for a full set of bearings for the same box.

So all up its like 1k for a full rebuild (minus the gears)on my box...

[Swiper the Fox]

I have an excellent R33 GTR box complete with transfer case available for $1000...PM me....soz for the hi-jack....just trying to help out

[Guest Mashrock]

i was just thinking along the lines of rebuilding the box itself and then selling.

i'll open it and inspect and see whats gone bang.

and if all gears are intact then it might be worth something but if not then i will not bother at all.

[NXTIME]

haven't finished your box rebuild yet, Andrew?

[Guest Mashrock]

oh my car is all up and running with the 34 gearbox in it.

i just have alot of shit around the house, thought i'd see if i could fix and move on.

but it appears now after some inspection that nissan will be f**king me up the ass to get parts

as there is no 3rd gear on either shafts at all. it looks pretty sweet.

i even giggled when my mate broke it one night.

[saliya]

Final costings:

2nd, 3rd, 4th synchros + gasket set from Nissan - under $400

R+R gearbox - $0 (self)

New thrust bearing - $50ish

New internal bearing set - $300ish (not $200, were unable to get from regular supplier)

Workshop labour to disassemble/check/reassemble box - $450

Total cost $1200. I had hoped to get out of this for $1000 or less;

and probably would have made it if I could have waited for cheaper

bearings or got trade on the synchros/gaskets.

Regards,

Saliya

[Bl4cK32]

Saliya, could you get me prices on stuff for my gb. It seems your Nissan dealer is a fair bit cheaper than mine.

I have the r33 series 1 box. I need a complete bearing set, but wouldnt mind a price on parts required to rebuild the whole box too (like complete syncro set, gaskets, and any other bearings/seals ive missed) Only thing i dont need is the gears themselves...

Your help would be much appreciated

Edited June 8, 2006 by Bl4cK32

[Links]

Saliya,

If you can - can you break this down a bit further..

2nd, 3rd, 4th synchros + gasket set from Nissan - under $400

R+R gearbox - $0 (self)

New thrust bearing - $50ish

New internal bearing set - $300ish (not $200, were unable to get from regular supplier)

Workshop labour to disassemble/check/reassemble box - $450

You said - R+R - $0 - do you mean it cost you nothing to pull it down and put it back in.. not quite sure what you mean..

$450 - was that pulling it all apart, putting in new synchros & re-pressing the bearings??

Seems like you did alright..