Assembly Inspection And Adjustment: Backlash

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Infiniti G35. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove carrier cover. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".
Fit a dial indicator to the drive gear face to measure the backlash.

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

Backlash: 0.10 - 0.15 mm (0.0039 - 0.0059 in)
- If the backlash is outside of the specified value, change the thickness of side bearing adjusting washer.
  When the backlash is large:
  
  Decrease side bearing adjusting washer thickness.
  
  Refer to "SIDE BEARING ADJUSTING WASHER ".
  
  When the backlash is small:
  
  Increase side bearing adjusting washer thickness.
  
  Refer to "SIDE BEARING ADJUSTING WASHER ".