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Home › Nissan-Datsun › 2004 › Sentra SE-R › Repair and Diagnosis › External Pages › Different car › Section 1689 (Rear Final Drive) › Rear Final Drive Assembly › Disassembly and Assembly › Assembly › Differential Assembly

Differential Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Install side gear thrust washers with the same thickness as the ones installed prior to disassembly, or reinstall the old ones on the side gears.
    Fig 1: Identifying Side Gear Thrust Washers
    G04175236Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  2. Install the side gears and thrust washers into the differential case.
    CAUTION: Make sure that the circlip is installed to side gears.
  3. Install the thrust washers to the two pinion mate gears. Then install the pinion mate gears with the thrust washers by aligning them in diagonally opposite positions and rotating them into the differential case.
    Fig 2: Identifying Thrust Washers
    G04175237Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  4. Align the lock pin holes on the differential case with the shaft, and install the pinion mate shaft.
  5. Measure the side gear end play. If necessary, select the appropriate side gear thrust washers. Refer to , "DIFFERENTIAL SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE "
    Fig 3: Identifying Pinion Mate Shaft
    G04175238Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  6. Drive a lock pin into the pinion mate shaft. Make sure the lock pin is flush with the differential case.
    CAUTION: Do not reuse lock pin.
    Fig 4: Installing Lock Pin Into Pinion Mate Shaft
    G04175239Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  7. Align the matching mark of the differential case with the mark of the drive gear, then place the drive gear onto the differential case.
    Fig 5: Matching Mark Of Differential Case
    G04175240Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  8. Apply thread locking sealant into the threaded holes of the drive gear, and install the bolts.
    CAUTION: Make sure the drive gear back and threaded holes are clean.
    Fig 6: Applying Thread Locking Sealant Into Threaded Holes
    G04175241Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  9. Tighten the drive gear bolts to the specified torque. Refer to , "COMPONENTS "
    CAUTION:
    • Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern.
    • After tightening the bolts to the specified torque, tighten the bolts an additional 31 to 36 degrees.
    Fig 7: Tightening Drive Gear Bolts
    G04175242Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  10. Press the side bearing inner races into the differential case using Tools.

    Tool number A: KV38100300 (J-25523) 

    B: ST33061000 (J-8107-2) 

    Fig 8: Pressing Side Bearing Inner Races Into Differential Case
    G04175243Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    CAUTION: Do not reuse side bearing inner race.
  11. Install the differential case assembly with the side bearing outer races into the gear carrier.
  12. Measure the side bearing preload. If necessary, select the appropriate side bearing adjusting washers. Refer to , "SIDE BEARING PRELOAD "
    Fig 9: Adjusting Side Bearing Washers
    G04175244Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  13. Insert the selected left and right side bearing adjusting washers in place between the side bearings and gear carrier.
    Fig 10: Identifying Side Bearing Washers
    G04175245Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  14. Align the matching mark on the bearing cap with the matching mark on the gear carrier.
  15. Install the bearing caps. Tighten the bearing cap bolts to the specified torque. Refer to , "COMPONENTS "
    Fig 11: Aligning Matching Mark On Gear Carrier
    G04175246Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  16. Drive in the side oil seals until they become flush with the case end using Tool.

    Tool number : KV38100200 (J-26233) 

    Fig 12: Identifying Oil Seal
    G04175247Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    CAUTION:
    • Do not reuse oil seal.
    • Do not incline oil seal when installing.
    • Apply multi-purpose grease onto oil seal lips, and gear oil onto the circumference of oil seal.
  17. Check and adjust the drive gear runout, tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and total preload torque. Refer to , "DRIVE GEAR RUNOUT ", , "TOOTH CONTACT ", , "BACKLASH ", , "TOTAL PRELOAD TORQUE "

    Recheck the above items.

  18. Apply a 3.2mm (0.126 in) bead of sealant to the mating surface of the rear cover. Use Genuine Silicone RTV or equivalent. Refer to "RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS "
    CAUTION: Remove any old sealant adhering to the mating surfaces. Also remove any moisture, oil, or foreign material adhering to the application and mating surfaces.
  19. Install the rear cover onto the gear carrier. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque. Refer to , "COMPONENTS "
    Fig 13: Applying Sealant To Mating Surface Of Rear Cover
    G04175248Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  20. Install the side flanges using the following procedure.
  1. Attach the Tool to the side oil seal.

    Tool number : KV38107900 (J-39352) 

  2. After the side flange is inserted and the serrated part of the side flange has engaged the serrated part of the side gear, remove the Tool.
  3. Drive in the side flange.
    NOTE: Installation is completed when the driving sound of the side flange turns into a sound which seems to affect the whole final drive.
    Fig 14: Identifying Side Oil Seal
    G04175249Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
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