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.

Press a drive pinion rear bearing outer race into axle housing using Tools.
Tool number A: ST01500001 (-)

B: ST30022000 (-)

CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion rear bearing.

Fig 1: Pressing Drive Pinion Rear Bearing Outer Race Into Axle Housing Using Tools
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Press a drive pinion front bearing outer race into axle housing, using Tool.
Tool number: ST33022000 (-)

Fig 2: Pressing Drive Pinion Front Bearing Outer Race Into Axle Housing, Using Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion front bearing.
Select drive pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to "DRIVE PINION HEIGHT ADJUSTING WASHER ".
Press a drive pinion rear bearing inner race and drive pinion height adjusting washer to drive pinion using Tool.
Tool number: - (C - 4040)

Fig 3: Pressing Drive Pinion Rear Bearing Inner Race And Drive Pinion Height Adjusting Washer To Drive Pinion Using Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion rear bearing.
Apply gear oil to drive pinon rear bearing and drive pinon front bearing.
Install drive pinion front bearing inner race in axle housing.
Install front bearing thrust washer to axle housing.
Apply multi-purpose grease to front oil seal lip. Install front oil seal into axle housing using Tool.
Tool number: ST15310000 (-)
CAUTION:
- Do not reuse oil seal.
- When installing, do not incline oil seal.
  
  Fig 4: Installing Front Oil Seal Into Axle Housing Using Tool
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install collapsible spacer to drive pinion. And then install drive pinion assembly in axle housing.
CAUTION:
- Do not reuse collapsible spacer.
- Be careful not to damage front oil seal.
  
  Fig 5: Installing Collapsible Spacer To Drive Pinion
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Align the matching mark of drive pinion with the mark of companion flange.

Fig 6: Aligning Matching Mark Of Drive Pinion With Mark Of Companion Flange
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install companion flange onto drive pinion. Tap companion flange until fully seated using suitable tool.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage companion flange and front oil seal.

Fig 7: Installing Companion Flange Onto Drive Pinion
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install drive pinion nut and drive pinion nut washer. Tighten drive pinion nut until total preload is within specification using Tool.
- The threaded portion of drive pinion and drive pinion nut should be free from oil or grease.
  Tool number: KV40104000 (-)
  
  CAUTION: Do not reuse drive pinion nut and drive pinion nut washer.
  
  Fig 8: Tightening Drive Pinion Nut Using Tool
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Tighten drive pinion nut by very small degrees until the specified preload is achieved. When checking the preload, turn drive pinion in both directions several times to set the bearing rollers, using Tool.
Tool number: ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)

Pinion bearing preload: 1.7 - 3.1 N.m (0.18 - 0.31 kg-m, 15 - 27 in-lb)

Fig 9: Checking Preload
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
1. This procedure will have to be repeated if:
  - Maximum preload is achieved before the minimum drive pinion nut torque is reached.
  - Minimum preload is not achieved before maximum drive pinion nut torque is reached.