Posted: Mar 18 2009 at 7:08pm | IP Logged

I'm at a little over 150,000 miles on my 2000.  I'm getting a bearing noise, 99% likely that it is coming from the transmission (torque converter).  So I'm at a decision point: 

I've gotten a heck of a lot out of this truck, and it otherwise still runs like a dream, but it's only worth about $2,000, and I suspect a new transmission will set me back at least that much.

Has anyone replaced their transmission here?   I was thinking of just going to Nissan, since one of my local dealers will actually give a loaner vehicle for any major repair work you have done there.

I don't doubt I can get at least another 50,000 miles out of this truck, and a couple grand for a new transmission still works out cheaper than 2 years of new car payments.

The other route I could go...my mechanic says to just keep driving it until the bearing noise gets a lot louder, but I'm not real hot on the idea of getting stranded somewhere.

Your thoughts?  Your input?

Posted: Mar 18 2009 at 9:36pm | IP Logged

4 cylinder, 2WD

You can hear it at idle, in or out of gear.   You can hear it up to 20 MPH, but it's probably still there, you just can't hear it over the tire and road noise.  But the transmission still shifts and responds normally.

We've ruled out the alternator & water pump.  It's not likely to be the power steering pump, since the noise is much more noticeable from lower in the engine.