95 Pathy auto tranny: Revisited?

Mike in Brier · Jul 17th, 2006, 07:25 PM

Hello, all--

I've been searching the threads for info on this, and I've found a few related things, but have more questions than answers.

My 95 LE 4WD with auto A/T has approx 110k miles. I bought it at 105k a year ago, and it has always had the "thump" going from 1st to 2nd gear that was mentioned in another thread. It goes away when the vehicle is thoroughly warmed up. According to the paperwork that the previous owner gave me, it was serviced at 100k with no noted problems. Fluid is full and smells and looks clean.

I've heard these tranny's have the potential to have their planetary gears implode at about this mileage, and wondered if this "thump" is indicative of impending doom. I read in here a few times that an aftermarket trans fluid cooler is a really swell idea, and plan on putting one on asap. But let us assume for a moment that the blasted thing needs rebuilding...did I read somewhere there is a Nissan recommended retrofit for this unit that changes out several internal components that will help prevent the inherent problems? If so, which parts are different? And by having the upgrades done, does that make the external cooler unnecessary?

Also, there is a company named Foreign Engines, Inc., (http://www.foreignenginesinc.com/) near my home that sells "low mileage used transmissions imported direct from Japan", and they have this tranny in stock for $650. I checked them out with the BBB (they are members), and they have a clean record with no outstanding consumer complaints. Has anyone had any experience with this company, good or bad?

Does anyone have recommendations for tranny remanufacturing companies? One I checked wanted $850 for a complete reman, plus shipping from Arizona to the Seattle area of approx $250 more.

I sure appreciate any and all info you can provide on this topic. If/when I go to have it rebuilt, I want to be smart enough to ask the right questions, and make sure the job is done correctly.

Thanks everyone!

Mike in Brier

**88pathoffroad** · Jul 18th, 2006, 03:09 AM

Internal problems in general are the prone failure point...I've heard of drum failure, reverse bands, torque converter, shift solenoids burning up(or something like that), etc. Definitely add an external cooler and bypass the stock one completely. I've had 30-year Nissan techs tell me that those shitacular coolers are the reason so many auto trannies fail. I dunno about a Nissan-specific rebuild kit with updated parts, but a shift kit from Trans-Go or a couple other trans companies includes fix-it/improvement comments as a selling point and is a very good idea. The kit is cheap enough at $50 or so, all things considered.