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Home >> Nissan-Datsun >> 2003 >> Sentra SE-R, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis (Single Page) >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1697 (Front Final Drive) >> Front Final Drive Assembly >> Disassembly and Assembly >> Adjustment And Selection Adjusting Washers >> Pinion Gear Height
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Pinion Gear Height

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Make sure all parts are clean and that the bearings are well lubricated.
  2. Assemble the pinion gear bearings into the Tool.

    Tool number : - (J-34309) 

    Fig 1: Assembling Pinion Gear Bearings
    G04175104Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    • Pinion front bearing;  make sure the J-34309-3 pinion front bearing seat is secured tightly against the J-34309-2 gauge anvil. Then turn the pinion front bearing pilot, J-34309-7, to secure the bearing in its proper position.
    • Pinion rear bearing;  the pinion rear bearing pilot, J-34309-8, is used to center the pinion rear bearing only. The pinion rear bearing locking seat, J-34309-4, is used to lock the bearing to the assembly.
    • Installation of J-34309-9 and J-34309-16;  place a suitable 2.5 mm (0.098 in) thick plain washer between J-34309-9 and J-34309-16. Both surfaces of J-34309-9 and J-34309-16 must be parallel with a clearance of 2.5 mm (0.098 in).
      Fig 2: Identifying Pinion Front And Rear Bearing
      G04175105Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  3. Install the pinion rear bearing inner race into gear carrier. Then place the pinion preload shim selector tool, J-34309-1, gauge screw assembly.
    Fig 3: Installing Pinion Rear Bearing Inner Race Into Gear Carrier
    G04175106Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  4. Assemble the pinion front bearing inner race and the J-34309-2 gauge anvil. Assemble them together with the J-34309-1 gauge screw in gear carrier. Make sure that the pinion height gauge plate, J-34309-16, will turn a full 360 degrees. Tighten the two sections together by hand.
    Fig 4: Identifying Pinion Front Bearing Inner Race And Gauge Anvil
    G04175107Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  5. Turn the assembly several times to seat the bearings.
    Fig 5: Seating Bearings Turn
    G04175108Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  6. Measure the turning torque at the end of the J-34309-2 gauge anvil using Tool.

    Tool number : ST3127S000 (J-25765- A) 

    Turning torque specification: 1.0 - 1.6 N.m (0.11 - 0.16 kg-m, 9 - 14 in-lb) 

    Fig 6: Measuring Turning Torque
    G04175109Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  7. Place the J-34309-10 "R180A" pinion height adapter onto the gauge plate and tighten it by hand.
    CAUTION: Make sure all machined surfaces are clean.
    Fig 7: Placing Pinion Height Adapter Onto Gauge Plate
    G04175110Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  8. Position the side bearing discs, Tool, and arbor firmly into the side bearing bores. Install the bearing caps and tighten bearing cap bolts to the specified torque. Refer to , "COMPONENTS "

    Tool number : - (J-25269-18) 

    Fig 8: Positioning Side Bearing Discs
    G04175111Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  9. Select the correct standard pinion height adjusting washer thickness. Select by using a standard gauge of 3 mm (0.12 in) and your J-34309-101 feeler gauge. Measure the distance between the J-34309-10 pinion height adapter including the standard gauge and the arbor.
    Fig 9: Measuring Distance Between Pinion Height Adapter
    G04175112Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  10. Write down exact measurement (the value of feeler gauge).
    Fig 10: Writing Down Measurement
    G04175113Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  11. Correct the pinion height washer size by referring to the "pinion head number".

    There are two numbers painted on the drive pinion. The first one refers to the drive pinion and drive gear as a matched set. This number should be the same as the number on the drive gear. The second number is the "pinion head height number". It refers to the ideal pinion height from standard for quietest operation. Use the following chart to determine the correct pinion height washer. 

    Fig 11: Identifying Pinion Head Height Number
    G04175114Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    PINION HEAD HEIGHT NUMBER REFERENCE

    Pinion head height number Add or remove from the standard pinion height adjusting washer thickness measurement
    - 6 Add 0.06 mm (0.0024 in)
    - 5 Add 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)
    - 4 Add 0.04 mm (0.0016 in)
    - 3 Add 0.03 mm (0.0012 in)
    - 2 Add 0.02 mm (0.0008 in)
    - 1 Add 0.01 mm (0.0004 in)
    0 Use the selected washer thickness
    + 1 Subtract 0.01 mm (0.0004 in)
    + 2 Subtract 0.02 mm (0.0008 in)
    + 3 Subtract 0.03 mm (0.0012 in)
    + 4 Subtract 0.04 mm (0.0016 in)
    + 5 Subtract 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)
    + 6 Subtract 0.06 mm (0.0024 in)
  12. Select the correct pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to , "PINION HEIGHT ADJUSTING WASHER "
  13. Remove the J-34309 differential shim selector tool from the final drive housing. Then disassemble to retrieve the pinion bearings.
    Fig 12: Identifying Bearing
    G04175115Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
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