Its a very big job alright, i've just done it on my car (same as yours). Biggest problem is having the right tools and gaining access to the car's undercarriage. Enough to give you a lot of leverage for hand tools. The drive shafts have to come off, meaning the hub carriers need to be partially dismantled (I did my bearing at the same time tho) before you can get the inner end away from the gearbox. You also need to replace a lot of nuts, bolts, circlips and split pins, some of which i couldn't source outside the dealer. If you have ABS (like me) it complicates matters even further as you run the risk of permanently damaging it (£200 quid each to replace from Nissan OUCH!).
Once the gearbox is off its only a ten minute job which is really annoying! It took me three full days by myself and one with help to get the gearbox off as a DIY mechanic in my garage. A proper one could do it in far less I imagine. I just wanted to do it personally (then there's the trust factor).
If you still feel brave enough email me on ivoja@aol.com and i'll try forward detailed instructions. Even better if you buy the manual then ask me bout it when you get stuck. Forget about using you car for at least a week anyway and you'll need a large garage to keep her on stands.
Ivor
October 2007
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