Flex plate sheared

[Pumpdogg]

Evening all,
Driving along in the patrol the other day (2000, zd30, auto). I started getting a vibration between 2000 and 3000rpm. It sounded like it was coming from the intake.
Got out and looked around, didn't see anything weird.

Kept driving and about 10kms up the road it started free revving, spat a load of smoke and the engine stalled.
Pulled over and there's auto fluid pi$$ing out of the bellhousing.
Anyway got it towed home and pulled the gearbox, my best guess is that the flex plate sheared, took the spigot and the torque convertor with it.
It's also anhilated the gearbox input shaft.

Having trouble finding a direct replacement (as in gu zd30)
First question: Any other patrols gq ect share a direct replacement auto with a gu zd30?
Second question: Has anyone converted an auto to manual (plenty of boxes around)
Is it as easy as fitting clutch, SMF, box, clutch master and pedal and your away?
What needs to be done electronics wise?

Thanks in advance.
Justin

[happygu]

I would have thought that the ZD30 Auto's would be plentiful at the wreckers now, as there were heaps sold.

Your cheapest option to get you back on the road is to put in another Auto, and you could try ringing an Automatic Gearbox reconditioner near you, as they should have reconditioned boxes on the shelf.

Haven't done the conversion, as I personally think that normally with the money spent getting all the bits and doing the conversion itself, you are better off selling and buying again if that is what you want to do, but in your case, the box is already out so that changes things a little.

Along with the usual pedal changes, there is an Auto computer that would need to be removed or modified so as to not give faults every time you drive. There was a slight difference in torque output between the Auto and the Manual - not sure if that was a different Engine ECU Map, or whether it was loss through the Auto itself .

[Pumpdogg]

Honestly I'd prefer to stick with the auto, but I can't justify the price of a recon box and convertor.
Especially when the bloke at the convertor joint tells me you can only buy genuine flex plates and Nissan here want $834 for one.

I know the tb45 auto is the same box, would it be as simple as changing the bellhousing over?
Or do they have different gear ratios?

Cheers

[jff45]

You're not the 1st to have an issue with the ZD30 flexplate. Any chance you could post a few pics of the damage?

If you do the work yourself, they're not a difficult box to overhaul and parts are readily available.
Where are you located?

[Pumpdogg]

You're not the 1st to have an issue with the ZD30 flexplate. Any chance you could post a few pics of the damage?

If you do the work yourself, they're not a difficult box to overhaul and parts are readily available.
Where are you located?

That's partly why I'm considering putting a manual box in it. I don't think I'd ever not worry about it happening again.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s343/pumpdogg/patrol/8858E47D-098D-45E1-9B29-48900F9D56CE_zpssm56mm2r.jpg (http://s510.photobucket.com/user/pumpdogg/media/patrol/8858E47D-098D-45E1-9B29-48900F9D56CE_zpssm56mm2r.jpg.html)

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s343/pumpdogg/patrol/DDEEDE11-CC36-4820-B5FE-1DD45FD14D79_zpswx0ar2di.jpg (http://s510.photobucket.com/user/pumpdogg/media/patrol/DDEEDE11-CC36-4820-B5FE-1DD45FD14D79_zpswx0ar2di.jpg.html)

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s343/pumpdogg/patrol/DBECDB40-FC99-4789-8317-2B1DF967425C_zps0qcjkdy4.jpg (http://s510.photobucket.com/user/pumpdogg/media/patrol/DBECDB40-FC99-4789-8317-2B1DF967425C_zps0qcjkdy4.jpg.html)

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s343/pumpdogg/patrol/50EB71DF-4C60-40AB-8595-AC35EB1CBE37_zpsjaskbfmq.jpg (http://s510.photobucket.com/user/pumpdogg/media/patrol/50EB71DF-4C60-40AB-8595-AC35EB1CBE37_zpsjaskbfmq.jpg.html)

Hopefully those pics show up all right.

Cheers

[Pumpdogg]

Sorry, I'm in Perth mate. Cheers

[jff45]

Honestly I'd prefer to stick with the auto, but I can't justify the price of a recon box and convertor.
Especially when the bloke at the convertor joint tells me you can only buy genuine flex plates and Nissan here want $834 for one.

I know the tb45 auto is the same box, would it be as simple as changing the bellhousing over?
Or do they have different gear ratios?

Cheers

The TB45E torque converter has a slightly lower stall speed but you probably wouldn't notice it in real life. Bellhousing might well be the same, only difference might be starter fitting.

IMO, your best bet would be to get a flexplate from Magnum Motorcycles in Melbourne (yes, they build good TCs as well) and find a secondhand box with decent history.
Even fitting a seal kit into the box and cleaning the valve body is doable at home.

Do you mind if I grab copies of your pics?

I can post up a pic of a TB45E bellhousing if you like..

[Pumpdogg]

Go for it mate, I think I'll give it a shot using a tb45 auto. I have the bellhousing anyway. ive seen "heavy duty" flex plates on eBay. Wonder if they're any good.

Cheers for the inputs man.

[Pumpdogg]

I spoke to Rodney at wholesale transmissions this morning, he advised that the zd30 and tb45 autos are the same.
However the torque converter reco dude says he thinks they're different.
If anyone has a tb45 auto laying around could they grab some measurements of the lengths and diameters of the input shaft please?

Cheers Justin.

[jff45]

I think it's the earlier. non-ribbed bellhousing autos that were in the TB42s that had a slightly shorter input shaft. They also had a smaller TC.
I have a spare TB45 trans here I can pull the shaft from but I'm pretty sure it will be the same as the ZD.

[Pumpdogg]

All good mate, I've actually just found everything I need for a good price.

Thanks heaps though mate. 👍🏻

[Sprock]

That's EXACTLY what mine just did , pulled it out yesterday & it's the same as yours . Doesn't look to have damaged anything else apart from the flex plate , happened at low revs & shut it off straight away .....

[Pumpdogg]

I had to tow mine 20-30kms with no gearbox oil. I think that's what damaged the gearbox. Just make sure you have a good look around the spigot on the converter. Mine ripped this out.

[kimk]

Hmm.. seems like it is my turn now. On my way home last night some rumbling from underneath the car, engine slipped, or ran freely for some time, 1-3 seconds, then no propulsion and engine stalled. Starter ran, but did not seem to engangs anything. Strange rumbling from something inside, but no tickover in engine. Removed the starter today. When turning the flexplate, nothing in front of engine moves. Flexplate gone?

[kimk]

Update: I was right in aasuming the plate. Sheared around bolts in center. Gearbox will come down tomorrow.

[kimk]

gearbox out, plate gone...715537155471555
Is the damage to the convertor OK, or do I have to have it repaired?

[jff45]

With the movement that the TC has been subjected to, I'd be inclined to check inside the oil pump while you have the box out.
It's not difficult, just undo your bellhousing bolts and the pump will probably be stuck to the bellhousing anyway.
They're simple to dismantle as well, no special tools needed. Also check the input shaft for damage.