Drive Pinion Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Nissan Frontier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Install front and rear bearing outer races using Tools.
Tool number A: ST30611000 (J-25742-1)

B: ST30621000 (J-25742-5)

C: ST30613000 (J-25742-3)
CAUTION:
- At first, using a hammer, tap bearing outer race until it becomes flat to axle housing.
- Do not reuse drive pinion front and rear bearing outer race.
Select drive pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to "PINION GEAR HEIGHT ".

Fig 1: Installing Front And Rear Bearing Outer Races
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install selected drive pinion height adjusting washer to drive pinion. Press drive pinion rear bearing inner race to it using Tool.
Tool number: ST30901000 (J-26010-01)
CAUTION:
- Pay attention to the direction of pinion height adjusting washer. (Assemble as shown in the figure.)
- Do not reuse drive pinion rear bearing inner race.
  
  Fig 2: Installing Selected Drive Pinion Height Adjusting Washer To Drive Pinion
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Assemble collapsible spacer to drive pinion.
CAUTION: Do not reuse collapsible spacer.
Apply gear oil to drive pinion rear bearing, and assemble drive pinion into axle housing.
Apply gear oil to drive pinion front bearing, and assemble drive pinion front bearing inner race to drive pinion assembly.
CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion front bearing inner race.

Fig 3: Identifying Collapsible Spacer And Drive Pinion Bearing Adjusting Washer
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Press the pinion front bearing inner race onto drive pinon using suitable tool. Press the pinion front bearing inner race as far as the pinion nut can be tightened.

Fig 4: Pressing Front Bearing Inner Race Onto Drive Pinon
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install front oil seal as shown using Tool.
Tool number: KV38100500 (J-25273)
CAUTION:
- Do not reuse oil seal.
- When installing, do not incline oil seal.
- Apply multi-purpose grease onto oil seal lips, and gear oil onto the circumference of oil seal.
  
  Fig 5: Installing Front Oil Seal
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install companion flange.
NOTE: When reusing drive pinion, align the matching mark of drive pinion with the matching mark A of companion flange, then install companion flange.

Fig 6: Installing Companion Flange
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Apply gear oil to the thread and seat of drive pinion lock nut, and temporarily tighten drive pinion lock nut to drive pinion.
CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion lock nut.
Adjust the drive pinion lock nut tightening torque and pinion bearing preload torque using Tools.
Tool number A: KV38108300 (J-44195)

B: ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)

Drive pinion lock nut tightening torque:

147 - 323 N.m (15 - 32 kg-m, 109 - 238 ft-lb)

Drive pinion bearing preload:

1.1 - 1.4 N.m (0.12 - 0.14 kg-m, 10 - 12 in-lb)
CAUTION:
- Adjust the lower limit of the drive pinion lock nut tightening torque first.
- If the preload torque exceeds the specified value, replace collapsible spacer and tighten it again to adjust. Do not loosen drive pinion lock nut to adjust the preload torque.
  
  Fig 7: Adjusting Drive Pinion Lock Nut Tightening Torque
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- 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 "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".
CAUTION: Do not install carrier cover yet.
Check and adjust drive gear runout, tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and companion flange runout. Refer to "DRIVE GEAR RUNOUT ", "TOOTH CONTACT ", "BACKLASH ", "COMPANION FLANGE RUNOUT ".
Recheck above items. Readjust the above description, if necessary.
Check total preload torque. Refer to "TOTAL PRELOAD TORQUE ".
Install carrier cover. Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY ".