Tooth Contact

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Nissan Xterra. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove rear cover. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".
Apply red lead to drive gear.
CAUTION: Apply red lead to both the faces of 3 to 4 gears at 4 locations evenly spaced on drive gear.

Fig 1: Applying Red Lead To Drive Gear
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Rotate drive gear back and forth several times, check drive pinion gear to drive gear tooth contact.
CAUTION: Check tooth contact on drive side and reverse side.

Fig 2: Identifying Tooth Contact Pattern
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Fig 3: Identifying Tooth Contact Pattern Condition
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
If tooth contact is improperly adjusted, follow the procedure below to adjust the pinion height (dimension X).

Fig 4: Identifying Tooth Contact To Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- If the tooth contact is near the face (face contact), or near the heel (heel contact), thicken pinion height adjusting washers to move drive pinion closer to drive gear.
  Refer to "PINION HEIGHT ADJUSTING WASHER ".
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Tooth Contact Pattern (1 Of 2)
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- If the tooth contact is near the flank (flank contact), or near the toe (toe contact), thin pinion height adjusting washers to move drive pinion farther from drive gear.
  Refer to "PINION HEIGHT ADJUSTING WASHER ".
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Tooth Contact Pattern (2 Of 2)
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.