Drive Pinion Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Infiniti QX56. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Press-fit rear bearing outer race using Tools.
Tool number A: ST30901000 ( - )

B: KV40105230 ( - )

Fig 1: Identifying Drive Pinion Assembly
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Press-fit front bearing outer race with Tools.
Tool number A: ST35271000 ( - )

B: KV40104810 ( - )

Fig 2: Identifying Front Bearing Outer Race Press-Fit
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Temporarily install drive pinion height adjusting washer.
When hypoid gear set has been replaced
- Select drive pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to "PINION GEAR HEIGHT ".
When hypoid gear set has been reused
- Temporarily install the removed drive pinion height adjusting washer or same thickness washer to drive pinion.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Drive Pinion Height Adjusting Washer
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install selected drive pinion height adjusting washer to drive pinion, and press-fit pinion rear bearing inner race in it, using a press and Tool.
Tool number : - C-4040

Fig 4: Identifying Selected Drive Pinion Height Adjusting Washer To Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Place pinion front bearing inner race in gear carrier.

Fig 5: Installing Pinion Front Bearing Inner Race In Gear Carrier
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Apply multi-purpose grease to cavity at sealing lips of oil seal. Install front oil seal, using Tools.
Tool number A: KV38100500 (J25273)

B: KV38102200 ( - )
Perform checking and adjusting the tooth contact and backlash of the hypoid gear following the procedure below.
1. Assemble the drive pinion to the gear carrier.
  CAUTION: Do not assemble a collapsible spacer.
  
  Fig 6: Installing Front Oil Seal
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Insert companion flange onto drive pinion. Tap the companion flange with a soft hammer until fully seated.
  
  Fig 7: Inserting Companion Flange Onto Drive Pinion
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
3. Temporarily tighten removed drive pinon nut to drive pinion.
  Tool number : KV38108300 ( - )
  
  NOTE: Use removed drive pinon nut only for the preload measurement.
4. Rotate drive pinion at least 20 times to check for smooth operation of the bearing.
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Drive Pinon Nut
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
5. Tighten to drive pinon nut, while adjust pinion bearing preload torque.
  Tool number : ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)
  
  Drive pinion nut tightening torque:
  
  298 - 678 N.m (31 - 69 kg-m, 220 - 500 ft-lb)
  
  Pinion bearing preload:
  
  2.3 - 3.4 N.m (24 - 34 kg-cm, 21 - 30 in-lb)
  
  Fig 9: Tightening Drive Pinion Nut
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  CAUTION:
  - Adjust to the lower limit of the drive pinion nut tightening torque first.
  - Drive pinon nut is tightened with no collapsible spacer. Be careful not to overtighten it. While measuring the preload, tighten it by 5° to 10°.
  - After adjustment, rotate drive pinion back and forth 2 to 3 times to check for unusual noise, rotation malfunction, and other malfunctions.
6. Install side bearing adjust nut into gear carrier.
7. Install differential case assembly with side bearing outer races into gear carrier.
  
  Fig 10: View Of Differential Case And Bearing Races
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
8. Align mark on bearing cap with that on gear carrier and install bearing cap on gear carrier.
  - Do not tighten at this step. This allows further tightening of side bearing adjusters.
9. Check and adjust the tooth contact and backlash. Refer to "TOOTH CONTACT " and "BACKLASH ".
10. Remove differential case assembly.
11. Remove companion flange.
  
  Fig 11: Removing Differential Case Assembly
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
12. Remove drive pinion (together with rear bearing inner race.)
  
  Fig 12: Removing Drive Pinion
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Assemble new collapsible spacer to drive pinion.
CAUTION: Do not reuse collapsible spacer.
Place collapsible spacer, drive pinion height adjusting washer and drive pinion in gear carrier.

Fig 13: Adjusting Washer And Drive Pinion In Gear Carrier
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Insert companion flange onto drive pinion. Tap the companion flange with a soft hammer until fully seated.

Fig 14: Inserting Companion Flange Onto Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Apply anti-corrosive oil to the thread and seat of new drive pinion nut, and temporarily tighten drive pinion nut to drive pinion.
Tool number : KV38108300 ( - )

Fig 15: Tightening Drive Pinion Nut
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion nut.
Rotate drive pinion at least 20 times to check for smooth operation of the bearing.
Tighten to drive pinon nut, while adjust pinion bearing preload torque.
Tool number : ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)

Drive pinion nut tightening torque:

298 - 678 N.m (31 - 69 kg-m, 220 - 500 ft-lb)

Pinion bearing preload:

2.3 - 3.4 N.m (24 - 34 kg-cm, 21 - 30 in-lb)

Fig 16: Identifying Drive Pinion Nut
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
CAUTION:
- Adjust the lower limit of the drive pinion nut tightening torque first.
- If the preload torque exceeds the specified value, replace collapsible spacer and tighten it again to adjust. Never loosen drive pinion nut to adjust the preload torque.
- After adjustment, rotate drive pinion back and forth 2 to 3 times to check for unusual noise, rotation malfunction, and other malfunctions.
Install differential case assembly. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".
CAUTION: Do not install rear cover yet.
Check and adjust tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and companion flange runout. Refer to "TOOTH CONTACT ", "BACKLASH ", "COMPANION FLANGE RUNOUT ".
Recheck above items. Readjust the above description, if necessary.
Check total preload torque. Refer to "TOTAL PRELOAD TORQUE ".
Install rear cover. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".