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Rebuilding the R33 5 speed gearbox

Leadfoot
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Leadfoot Enthusiast

Leadfoot

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It seems from the number of stories on SAU that the weak point of the GTS 5 speed is the synchros and 5th gear. At 67,000kms I can vouch for both. This is a real pity since the box is otherwise in perfect mechanical conditions?.

My options seem to be

1) Buy a 2nd hand one for around $1500, - (Very hit and miss, too risky)

2) A new one from Nissan for $4500, (that would buy three 2nd hand ones)

3) Rebuilding my current one - (not as hard as you think).

I have been told by Nissan that the synchros and layshaft bearings I need will set me back around $500 which I am happy with.

Whilst I would prefer option 3) there is very little information anywhere about rebuilding. The R33 workshop manual is only an engine manual and has nothing about the gearbox. All I need to know is the recommended end float.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has some gearbox diagrams or experience to share given this seems to be one of the most common Skyline common.

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/55218-rebuilding-the-r33-5-speed-gearbox/
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Leadfoot Enthusiast

Leadfoot

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All right, I'll post the first bit to get things started. After scouring the entire WWW this is the best I have come up with:

1) Output shaft bolt come loose

NissanForums - Transplanting a R33 box into S13

As with all Nissan gearboxes, they share a common design fault of the output shaft bolt comeing loose, allowing 5th gear to get destroyed. So If your going to put one of these boxes in you car I'd suggest you pull the rear houseing off and tighten up this bolt....not too hard really.....

2) Secondhand R33 5 speed boxes all show various degrees of damage to 5th gear cog. Cant remember the link but was someones observation who knew someone with a workshop. The damage is caused by wear in the layshaft which then puts additional load on the 5th gear cog. In buying a secondhand box it would be good idea to remove the rear gearbox housing and inspect it if possible.

3) How to guide on replacing all the gearbox bearings with pictures at every step

SkylinesDownUnderForums link

after hearing that garages can charge up to $1000 for a gearbox recon. and my undying interest to know how a motor vehicle works, I decided that I'm not stupid and to change the bearings myself (first time car gearbox removal and recon.). I replaced the six ball bearings, the two output/input shaft lip seals and the small ball and socket nylon gearstick bush; the whole job cost $300 including Castrol VMX oil.

If you cant access this link you may need to first become a member of SkylinesDownUnder. This link is really has the best info I have come across so far.

4) What I really need now is some diagrams etc, from the gearbox workshop manual. If anyone has any, please post for the benefit of all. The GTR is very similar to GTS so even that would do. The R33 gearbox is not covered in the engine manual which I have.

SteveL Mentor

SteveL

Posted
Posted

In the last week or so I've stripped an R32 GTR gearbox for inspection of a 3/4 gear selection problem. I've worked on a lot of the 'smaller' design Nissan gearboxes (early Z's and Skylines, etc), but not an RB25DET type, although I have had one side-by-side with the GTR 'box and they are very similar. I'd say the internals are also very similar.

Bearings for the shafts in a GTR box are about $250 from a bearing specialist....probably about double that from Nissan.

1) Output shaft bolt come loose

NissanForums - Transplanting a R33 box into S13

I don't think the guy who wrote the above has actually seen the inside of one of these gb's - there is no bolt for the output shaft (main shaft ??). Parts are pressed together and controlled thickness snap or 'c' rings are used to set running clearances. Apart from needing to use a variaty of pullers and a shop press, I found the GTR gearbox to be one of the easiest to disassemble I've ever come across.

2) Secondhand R33 5 speed boxes all show various degrees of damage to 5th gear cog.

Can't really comment on this one, I would need to see some examples of the damage.

3)  How to guide on replacing all the gearbox bearings with pictures at every step

SkylinesDownUnderForums link

The description in that link is actually for an R32 GTSt gearbox which is an example of the 'smaller' design Nissan gearboxes I mentioned earlier, but it really has little relevance to the R33, etc design. The R32 gearbox does use nuts on the main and lay shafts, like all similar size Nissan 6-cyl gb's going right back to 240Z's. The mainshaft on these 'small' gearbox's are notorious for coming loose and causing 5th gear problems (usually jumping out of 5th gear is a sign of the problem).

But as I said above the larger GTR style (and probably R33 GB) does not use any nuts or bolts on the main or layshafts.

4)  What I really need now is some diagrams etc, from the gearbox workshop manual.  If anyone has any, please post for the benefit of all.  The GTR is very similar to GTS so even that would do.  The R33 gearbox is not covered in the engine manual which I have.

I can e-mail you a zipped copy of the R32 GTR WS manual, but it's 20+ MB so if your on dial-up it could be a problem.

SteveL Mentor

SteveL

Posted
Posted
The 1998 model GTSt gearbox has bigger syncros and revised internals alleviating all the previous problems. I have been selling them brand new for $3400 and have only one left in stock, pm me if anyone is interested.

JustJap have new GTR and GTSt gearboxes list on their site for $3200.

  • 2 years later...
eXc Mentor

eXc

Posted
Posted

I know it's an old thread, I am just looking to rebuild my R32 GTST box.

I just thought I'd post the above SDU link so that it works for those that aren't good with internet. This link is working ATM unlike the ones above.

http://skylinesdownunder.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33396

Cheers

Chris

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