Drive Pinion Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Nissan Xterra. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Install drive pinion rear bearing outer race and drive pinion front bearing outer race using Tools.
Tool number (A): ST30611000 (J-25742-1)

(B): ST30613000 (J-25742-3)

(C): KV38100200 (J-26233)

Fig 1: Installing Drive Pinion Rear Bearing Outer Race And Front Bearing Outer Race
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- First tap the drive pinion bearing outer race until it becomes flush with the gear carrier.
- Do not reuse drive pinion front and rear bearing outer race.
Select drive pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to "INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT ".
Install the selected drive pinion height adjusting washer to the drive pinion. Press the drive pinion rear bearing inner race to it using Tool.
Tool number: ST30901000 (J-26010-01)

Fig 2: Pressing Drive Pinion Rear Bearing Inner Race
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Install the drive pinion height adjusting washer in the proper direction as shown below.
- Do not reuse drive pinion rear bearing inner race.
Install the collapsible spacer to the drive pinion.
CAUTION: Do not reuse collapsible spacer.
Apply differential gear oil to the drive pinion rear bearing, and install the drive pinion assembly to the gear carrier.
Apply differential gear oil to the drive pinion front bearing, and install the drive pinion front bearing inner race to the drive pinion assembly.
CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion front bearing inner race.

Fig 3: Installing Collapsible Spacer To Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Press the drive pinion front bearing inner race to the drive pinion as far as drive pinion lock nut can be tightened using Tool.
Tool number: ST33200000 (J-26082)

Fig 4: Pressing Drive Pinion Front Bearing Inner Race To Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Apply multipurpose grease to the lips and differential gear oil to the circumference of the new front oil seal. Then drive the new front oil seal in evenly until it becomes flush with the gear carrier using Tools.
Tool number (A): ST30720000 (J-25405)

(B): ST27863000 (-)

Fig 5: Driving Front Oil Seal Into Gear Carrier
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Do not reuse front oil seal.
- Do not incline the new front oil seal when installing.
- Apply multipurpose grease to the lips and differential gear oil to the circumference of the new front oil seal.
Install the companion flange to the drive pinion while aligning the matching marks.
Apply anticorrosive oil to the threads of the drive pinion and the seating surface of the new drive pinion lock nut. Then adjust the drive pinion lock nut tightening torque using suitable tool (A), and check the drive pinion bearing preload torque using Tool (B).
Tool number (B): ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)

Drive pinion bearing preload torque:

1.08 - 1.66 N.m (0.11 - 0.16 kg-m, 10 - 14 in-lb)

Fig 6: Adjusting Drive Pinion Lock Nut Tightening Torque
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Do not reuse drive pinion lock nut.
- Apply anticorrosive oil to the threads of the drive pinion and the seating surface of the new drive pinion lock nut.
- Adjust the drive pinion lock nut tightening torque to the lower limit first. Do not exceed the drive pinion lock nut specified torque. Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ".
- If the drive pinion bearing preload torque exceeds the specified value, replace collapsible spacer and tighten it again to adjust. Do not loosen drive pinion lock nut to adjust the drive pinion bearing preload torque.
- After adjustment, rotate drive pinion back and forth 2 to 3 times to check for unusual noise, rotation malfunction, and other malfunctions.
Check companion flange runout. Refer to "INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT ".
Install the differential case assembly. Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ".