Disassembly and Assembly: Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Nissan Altima and 2002 Nissan Altima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Apply gear oil to sliding area of differential case, each gear, and thrust washer.
Install side gear thrust washers and side gears into differential case.

Fig 1: Installing Side Gear Thrust Washers And Side Gears
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
While rotating pinion mate thrust washers and pinion mate gears, aligning them diagonally, install them into differential case.
Insert pinion mate shaft into differential case.
CAUTION: Be sure not to damage pinion mate thrust washers.

Fig 2: Inserting Pinion Mate Shaft Into Differential Case
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Measure end play of side gears using the procedure below, then select a side gear thrust washer.
1. Upright the differential case so that its side gear to be measured face upward.
2. Place final drive adapter and dial indicator onto side gears.
  
  Fig 3: Placing Final Drive Adapter And Dial Indicator Onto Side Gears
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
3. Move side gears up and down to measure end play, and select thrust washer so that it satisfies standard.
  End play standard : 0.1 - 0.2 mm (0.004 - 0.008 in)
  CAUTION:
  - There should be no resistance with the gears rotating freely.
  - Place differential case upside down, Be sure to measure end play for opposite side-gears likewise.
  Fig 4: Measuring End Play Of Side Gears
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  
  Thrust washer
  
  Fig 5: Differential Gear Thrust Washer Specification Table
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  
  CAUTION: Only one thrust washer can be selected.
Drive a new lock pin into the pinion mate shaft using Tool (pin punch).
CAUTION: Do not reuse the lock pin.

Fig 6: Driving Lock Pin Into Pinion Mate Shaft
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install differential side bearing (transaxle case side) using Tool (drift).

Fig 7: Installing Differential Side Bearing (Transaxle Case Side)
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Align and install speedometer drive gear onto differential case.

Fig 8: Identifying Speedometer Drive Gear Aligning Position
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install differential side bearing (clutch housing side) using Tool (drift).

Fig 9: Installing Differential Side Bearing (Clutch Housing Side)
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install differential gear into differential case, and tighten final gear bolts.
Final gear bolts : Refer to " FINAL DRIVE COMPONENTS ".

Fig 10: Tightening Final Gear Bolts
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.