Drive Gear Runout

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

Remove rear cover. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".
Fit a dial indicator to the drive gear back face.
Rotate the drive gear to measure runout.
Runout limit: 0.08 mm (0.0031 in) or less

If the runout is outside of the repair limit, check drive gear assembly condition; foreign material may be caught between drive gear and differential case, or differential case or drive gear may be deformed, etc.
CAUTION: Replace drive gear and drive pinion gear as a set.

Fig 1: Measuring Drive Gear Runout
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.