Assembly of Drive Pinion Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Nissan Murano. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Assemble with a drive pinion adjusting shim of the same thickness as was installed prior to disassembly. Using a drift, press a pinion rear bearing outer race into the gear carrier.

Fig 1: Pressing Pinion Rear Bearing Outer Race Using Drift
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Tool number:ST17130000 ( - )
CAUTION:
- At first, using a hammer, tap the bearing outer race until it becomes square to the gear carrier.
- Do not reuse the pinion rear bearing outer race.
Using a drift, press a pinion front bearing outer race into the gear carrier.

Fig 2: Pressing Pinion Front Bearing Outer Race Using Drift
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Tool number:ST33230000 (J25805-01)
CAUTION:
- At first, using a hammer, tap the bearing outer race until it becomes square to the gear carrier.
- Do not reuse the pinion front bearing outer race.
Using a drift, press a pinion rear bearing inner race into the drive pinion.

Fig 3: Pressing Pinion Rear Bearing Inner Race Into Drive Pinion Using Drift
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Tool number:ST23860000 ( - )

CAUTION: Do not reuse the pinion rear bearing inner race.
After checking and adjusting the tooth contact and backlash of the hypoid gear following the procedure below, assemble a collapsible spacer to the drive pinion.

Fig 4: Identifying Drive Pinion And Collapsible Spacer
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
CAUTION:
- Be careful of the mounting orientation of the collapsible spacer.
- Do not reuse the collapsible spacer.
1. Apply differential oil to the pinion rear bearing, and assemble the drive pinion to the gear carrier.
  CAUTION: Do not assemble a collapsible spacer.
2. Assemble a pinion front bearing inner race to the drive pinion. Using a drift and press stand, press the pinion nut as far as it can be tightened.
  
  Fig 5: Assembling Pinion Front Bearing Inner Race To Drive Pinion Using Drift
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  
  Tool number A: KV40100610 (J26089)
  
  B: ST38220000 ( - )
  
  C: ST23860000 ( - )
3. Temporarily tighten the removed pinion nut to the drive pinion.
  NOTE: Use the removed pinion nut only for the preload measurement.
4. Fit the drive pinion socket onto the drive pinion spline. Using a pinion nut wrench, tighten the pinion nut to the specified preload torque.
  
  Fig 6: Tightening Pinion Nut Using Wrench
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  
  Tool number A: KV38108400 ( - )
  
  B: ST38108500 ( - )
  
  C: ST3127S000 (J25765-A)
  
  CAUTION: The pinion nut is tightened with no collapsible spacer. Be careful not to overtighten it. While measuring the preload, tighten it by 5° to 10°.
5. Apply differential oil to the side bearings, and install new side bearing adjusting shims with the same thickness or re-install the old ones to the same mounting position they were in prior to disassembly. Install the differential case assembly to the gear carrier. Refer to INSTALLATION OF DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY .
6. Install a dummy cover set to check and adjust the tooth contact. Refer to TOOTH CONTACT .
7. Check and adjust the backlash. Refer to RING GEAR TO DRIVE PINION BACKLASH
8. Remove dummy cover set, and remove differential case assembly.
9. Remove pinion nut, pinion front bearing inner race, and remove drive pinion gear.
  
  Fig 7: Pressing Drive Pinion Gear With Collapsible Spacer To Gear Carrier
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the drive pinion gear with a collapsible spacer to the gear carrier.
Using a drift and press stand, press the pinion front bearing inner race to the drive pinion as far as a pinion nut can be tightened.

Fig 8: Pressing Pinion Front Bearing Inner Race To Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Tool number A: KV40100610 (J26089)

B: ST38220000 ( - )

C: ST23860000 ( - )
Apply anti-corrosive oil to the thread and seat of the pinion nut, and temporarily tighten the pinion nut to the drive pinion.
CAUTION: Do not reuse the pinion nut.
Fit a drive pinion socket onto the drive pinion gear spline. Using a pinion nut wrench, adjust the pinion nut tightening torque and pinion bearing preload torque.

Fig 9: Tightening Pinion Nut Using Pinion Nut Wrench
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Tool number A: KV38108400 ( - )

B: KV38108500 ( - )

C: ST3127S000 (J25765-A)

Pinion nut tightening torque:

: 181 - 361 N.m (19 - 36 kg-m, 134 - 266 ft-lb)

Pinion bearing preload:

: 0.69 - 1.17 N.m (0.07 - 0.11 kg-m, 7 - 10 in-lb)
CAUTION:
- Do not reuse the pinion nut.
- Adjust the lower limit of the pinion nut tightening torque first.
- If the preload torque exceeds the specified value, replace the collapsible spacer and tighten it again to adjust. Never loosen the pinion nut to adjust the preload torque.
- After adjustment, rotate the drive pinion gear back and forth 2 to 3 times to check for abnormal noise, rotation malfunction, and other malfunctions.
Install center oil seal refer to Fig 10.

Fig 10: Installing Center Oil Seal Using Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Tool number A: ST15310000 (J25640-B)

B: KV40104710 ( - )
Install the differential case assembly. Refer to INSTALLATION OF DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY .
CAUTION: Do not install the rear cover.
Install a dummy cover set, and check backlash, ring gear back runout, and tooth contact. Refer to TOOTH CONTACT .
Remove dummy cover, then install the rear cover, and drive in the oil seal. Refer to INSTALLATION OF DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY .
Check overall preload torque. Refer to TOTAL PRELOAD .
Connect electric controlled coupling assembly. Refer to INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CONTROLLED COUPLING ASSEMBLY .
Check companion flange runout. Refer to COMPANION FLANGE RUNOUT .