Drive Pinion: Assembly

Install pinion front and rear bearing outer races using drift (A) [SST: ST37820000 (-)].
CAUTION:
- At first, using a hammer, tap bearing outer race until it becomes flat to gear carrier.
- Never reuse pinion front and rear bearing outer race.
Fig 1: Installing Pinion Front And Rear Bearing Outer Races
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Temporarily install pinion height adjusting washer (1).
When hypoid gear set has been replaced
- Select pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".
When hypoid gear set has been reused
- Temporarily install the removed pinion height adjusting washer or same thickness washer to drive pinion.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Pinion Height Adjusting Washer
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Install selected pinion height adjusting washer (2) to drive pinion. Press pinion rear bearing inner race (1) to it, using drift (A) [SST: ST30032000 (J-26010-01)].
CAUTION:
- Pay attention to the direction of pinion height adjusting washer. (Assemble as shown in the figure below.)
- Never reuse pinion rear bearing inner race.
Fig 3: Pressing Pinion Rear Bearing Inner Race
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Temporarily assemble removed drive pinion adjusting washer and drive pinion bearing adjusting washer or same thickness of them to drive pinion.
Apply gear oil to pinion rear bearing, and assemble drive pinion into gear carrier.
Apply gear oil to pinion front bearing, and assemble pinion front bearing inner race to drive pinion assembly.
CAUTION: Never reuse pinion front bearing inner race.

Fig 4: Identifying Drive Pinion Related Components
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Using suitable spacer (A) (commercial service tool), press the pinion front bearing inner race to drive pinion as far as drive pinion nut can be tightened.

Fig 5: Pressing Pinion Front Bearing Inner Race Using Spacer
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Adjust pinion bearing preload. If necessary, select the appropriate drive pinion adjusting washer and drive pinion bearing adjusting washer. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".
Using the drifts (A and B), install front oil seal as shown in the figure below.

Fig 6: Installing Front Oil Seal Using Drifts
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Never reuse oil seal.
- When installing, never incline oil seal.
- Apply multi-purpose grease onto oil seal lips, and gear oil onto the circumference of oil seal.
Install companion flange.
NOTE: When reusing drive pinion, align the matching mark (B) of drive pinion with the matching mark (A) of companion flange, and then install companion flange (1).

Fig 7: Identifying Drive Pinion And Companion Flange Matching Mark
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Apply anti-corrosion oil to the thread and seat of new drive pinion lock nut, and temporarily tighten drive pinion lock nut to drive pinion, using flange wrench (commercial service tool).

Fig 8: Adjusting Pinion Bearing Preload Torque Using Preload Gauge
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Never reuse drive pinion lock nut.
Tighten to drive pinion lock nut, while adjusting pinion bearing preload torque, using preload gauge [SST: ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)].
Pinion bearing preload: Refer to "PRELOAD TORQUE ".
CAUTION:
- Adjust to the lower limit of the drive pinion lock nut tightening torque first.
- After adjustment, rotate drive pinion back and forth 2 to 3 times to check for unusual noise, rotation malfunction, and other malfunctions.
Install differential case assembly. Refer to "ASSEMBLY ".
CAUTION: Never install carrier cover yet.
Check and adjust drive gear runout, tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and companion flange runout. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT " and "ADJUSTMENT ".
Recheck above items. Readjust the above description, if necessary.
Check total preload torque. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".
Install carrier cover. Refer to "ASSEMBLY ".