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Home >> Nissan-Datsun >> 2002 >> Sentra SE-R, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1405 (Rear Final Drive) >> Rear Final Drive Assembly >> Disassembly and Assembly >> Assembly >> Differential Assembly
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Differential Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Infiniti FX45 and 2005 Infiniti FX35. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Install side gear thrust washers with the same thickness as the ones installed prior to disassembly or reinstall the old ones on the side gears.
    Fig 1: Alining Side Gear Thrust Washers
    G02368127Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  2. Install side gears and thrust washers into differential case.
    CAUTION: Make sure that the circular clip is installed to side gears.
  3. Align 2 pinion mate gears in diagonally opposite positions, then rotate and install them into differential case after installing thrust washer to pinion mate gear.
    Fig 2: Installing Thrust Washer To Pinion Mate Gear
    G02368128Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  4. Align the lock pin holes on differential case with shaft, and install pinion mate shaft.
  5. Measure side gear end play. If necessary, select the appropriate side gear thrust washers. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE ".
    Fig 3: Aligning Lock Pin Holes To Differential Case
    G02368129Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  6. Drive a lock pin into pinion mate shaft, using a punch. Make sure lock pin is flush with differential case.
    CAUTION: Do not reuse lock pin.
    Fig 4: Removing Lock Pin
    G02368130Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  7. Align the matching mark of differential case with the mark of drive gear, then place drive gear.
    Fig 5: Aligning Matching Mark Of Differential Case
    G02368131Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  8. Apply thread locking sealant into the thread hole of drive gear.
    CAUTION: Drive gear back and threaded holes shall be cleaned and degreased sufficiently.
    Fig 6: Applying Thread Locking Sealant Into Thread Hole
    G02368132Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  9. Install drive gear on the mounting bolts, and then tighten to the specified torque. Refer to "COMPONENTS ".
    CAUTION:
    • Tighten bolts in a crisscross fashion.
    • After tightening the bolt to the specified torque, tighten the bolts additionally by turning the bolts 31 to 36 degrees.
    Fig 7: Tightening Bolts
    G02368133Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  10. Press side bearing inner races to differential case, using the drift and the base.
    1. Tool number A: KV38100300 (J-25523) 

      B: ST33061000 (J-8107-2) 

    CAUTION: Do not reuse side bearing inner race.
    Fig 8: Pressing Side Bearing Inner Races To Differential Case Using Drift
    G02368134Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  11. Install differential case assembly with side bearing outer races into gear carrier.
  12. Measure side bearing preload. If necessary, select the appropriate side bearing adjusting washers. Refer to "SIDE BEARING PRELOAD ".
    Fig 9: Installing Differential Case Assembly
    G02368135Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  13. Insert selected left and right side bearing adjusting washers in place between side bearings and gear carrier.
    Fig 10: Inserting Selected Left And Right Side Bearing Adjusting Washers
    G02368136Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  14. Align matching mark on bearing cap with that on gear carrier.
  15. Install bearing caps and tighten bearing cap mounting bolts to the specified torque. Refer to "COMPONENTS ".
    Fig 11: Installing Bearing Caps
    G02368137Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  16. Using the drift, drive side oil seals until it becomes flush with the case end.
    1. Tool number: KV38100200 (J-26233) 
    CAUTION:
    • Do not reuse oil seal.
    • When installing, do not incline oil seal.
    • Apply multi-purpose grease onto oil seal lips, and gear oil onto the circumference of oil seal.
    Fig 12: Drive Side Oil Seals Using Drift
    G02368138Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  17. Check and adjust drive gear runout, tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and total preload torque. Refer to "DRIVE GEAR RUNOUT ", "TOOTH CONTACT ", "BACKLASH ", "TOTAL PRELOAD TORQUE ".

    Recheck above items. Readjust the above description, if necessary.

  18. Apply sealant to mating surface of rear cover.
    CAUTION: Remove old sealant adhering to mounting surfaces. Also remove any moisture, oil, or foreign material adhering to application and mounting surfaces.
  19. Install rear cover on gear carrier and tighten mounting bolts with the specified torque. Refer to "COMPONENTS ".
    Fig 13: Identifying Sealant
    G02368139Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  20. Install side flange with the following procedure.
  1. Attach the protector to side oil seal.
    1. Tool number: KV38107900 (J-39352) 
  2. After the side flange is inserted and the serrated part of side gear has engaged the serrated part of flange, remove the protector.
    Fig 14: Installing Side Oil Seal
    G02368140Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  3. Put a suitable drift on the center of side flange, then drive it until sound changes.
    NOTE: When installation is completed, driving sound of the side flange turns into a sound which seems to affect the whole final drive.
  4. Confirm that the dimension of the side flange installation (Measurement A) in the figure comes into the following.
    1. Measurement A: 326 - 328 mm (12.83 - 12.91 in) 
    Fig 15: Installing Side Flange Dimension
    G02368141Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.