When completing a gear oil fill, I noticed metal shavings in the magnet plug?

Tiny
JAZZYJEAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1985 NISSAN TRUCK
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,370 MILES
Well, I have a wonderful truck and upon doing a gear oil fill I notice metal shaving in the magnet plug and then a couple of metal pieces about the size of a dime. It looked like it was circular at one time but was in 3 pieces. I'm really scared at this point, I don't have the money for another transmission, is there a reason for alarm? Is there something I can do or am I just out of luck plain and simple?
Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 5:18 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,883 POSTS
It does sound like something is coming apart with metal pieces of that size, but can I ask if the transmission makes noise, hard to shift, or gets stuck in gear? If not, I would just run it until it starts to have problems. Let me know if you want to have it rebuilt because I have included how to remove the unit below.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect accelerator wire.
3. Raise and support vehicle. Make sure that safety is ensured.
4. Remove propeller shaft.
5. Disconnect front exhaust tube.
6. Disconnect wires from Reverse (back-up) lamp, Neutral, Top, and O.D. Gear (if equipped) switches.
7. Disconnect speedometer cable.
8. Remove clutch operating cylinder.
9. Remove starter motor.
10. Support transmission with a transmission jack.
11. Remove console box.
12. Place transmission control lever in neutral position and remove E-ring and control lever.
13. Loosen rear engine mount securing nuts and remove crossmember.
14. Remove bolts securing transmission to engine.
15. Support engine and transmission with jacks, and slide transmission rearward away from engine and remove transmission from the vehicle.
16. Reverse procedure to install.

Let me know what happens.
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Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
JAZZYJEAN
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Thanks so much for the how-to instructions, but wanted to mention that on the pieces I noticed what looked to be something that was up against this piece and was apparently applying friction too.
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Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 11:09 PM
Tiny
JAZZYJEAN
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To this piece because I noticed where it was being grinded down by possibly, I'm thinking the gears or something of this nature. The piece as I said was circular but the griding against it had broken the piece. So, I examined it and noticed where this friction was the cause what this piece is where it's could be located as well as what parts would do this, i'm hesitant of my next move at this point would hate to be hasty maybe you could direct me as to trouble shooting like process of elimination before having to rebuild or by a used one which I'm told is very expensive as I'm on a fixed income your advice is my only hope at this time. If you don't mind, I would be so appreciative I've been offered so much money for this truck for some reason, but I love it, it's a good truck.
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Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
JAZZYJEAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm sorry but to answer 1 of your questions, I failed to mention the reason I even assumed it need some gear oil was it started from time to time being somewhat difficult for me to shift into 3rd gear not all the time just time to time also when I would shift it had start feeling like to me that it needed lubrication because even though the majority of the time I had no problem shifting but at the same time shifting wasn't smooth like it usually is not it felt crunchy like it had no lube to make this a smooth switch from 1 gear to the next so that red flag I couldn't ignore maybe this is helpful to you to know.
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Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 11:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you please upload a picture of the piece you found?
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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
JAZZYJEAN
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  • 7 POSTS
Hi, pics here are the pics.
Sorry about the other 2 pic other 2 pics they d
on't belong hopefully you can.
Enlarge these pics to see better detail.
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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
JAZZYJEAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hello, I was wondering if you had received the pics, I sent was waiting on your response there's 2 other pics that don't belong that was sent please disregard those but do let me know what your conclusion is on what I sent. Thank you
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Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 AT 2:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Thanks for the images, so these came out of the oil drain hole for the transmission. They look like part of the shift shaft brackets or they could be part of a bearing retainer. I think you will need to have the transmission built.
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+1
Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 AT 10:41 AM

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