Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Drive Shaft





COMPONENTS

REMOVAL
1. Remove wheel bearing lock nut.
Brake caliper need not be disconnected. Do not twist or stretch brake hose when moving components.
2. Remove strut lower mount bolts.
3. Remove brake hose clip.
4. Separate drive shaft from knuckle by lightly tapping it. If it is hard to remove, use a puller.
- Cover boots with shop towel so as not to damage them when removing drive shaft.
5. Remove right drive shaft from transaxle.
6. Remove left drive shaft from transaxle.





-For M/T models-
- Pry off drive shaft from transaxle as shown at left.





-For A/T models-
- Insert screwdriver into transaxle opening for right drive shaft and strike with a hammer.
Be careful not to damage pinion mate shaft and side gear.

INSTALLATION
Transaxle Side





1. Drive a new oil seal to transaxle.
2. Set Tool along the inner circumference of oil seal.





3. Insert drive shaft into transaxle. Be sure to properly align the serrations and then withdraw Tool.
4. Push drive shaft, then press-fit circular clip on the drive shaft into circular clip groove of side gear.
5. After its insertion, try to pull the flange out of the slide joint by hand. If it pulls out, the circular clip is not properly meshed with the side gear.

Wheel Side
- Install drive shaft into knuckle.
- Tighten upper knuckle nut and wheel bearing lock nut.

DISASSEMBLY
Transaxle Side
The joint on the transaxle side cannot be disassembled.

Wheel Side

CAUTION: The joint on the wheel side cannot be disassembled.





1. Before separating joint assembly, put matching marks on drive shaft and joint assembly.
2. Remove ABS sensor rotor.





3. Separate joint assembly with a suitable tool.
Be careful not to damage threads on drive shaft.
4. Remove boot bands.
5. Draw out boot.

Support Bearing





1. Remove dust shield.
2. Remove support bearing dust shield.





3. Remove snap ring.





4. Press support bearing assembly off of drive shaft.
5. Remove support bearing dust shield.
6. Remove snap ring.





7. Separate support bearing from support bearing retainer.

INSPECTION
Thoroughly clean all parts in cleaning solvent, and dry with compressed air. Check parts for evidence of deformation or other damage.

Drive Shaft
Replace drive shaft if it is twisted or cracked.

Boot
Check boot for fatigue, cracks or wear. Replace boot with new boot bands.

Joint Assembly (Transaxle side)
- Check serration for deformation. Replace if necessary.
- Check slide joint housing for any damage. Replace if necessary.

Joint Assembly (Wheel side)
Replace joint assembly if it is deformed or damaged.

Support Bearing
Make sure wheel bearing rolls freely and is free from noise, cracks, pitting or wear.

Support Bearing Bracket
Check support bearing bracket for cracks with a magnetic exploration or dyeing test.

ASSEMBLY
- After drive shaft has been assembled, ensure that it moves smoothly over its entire range without binding.
- Use NISSAN GENUINE GREASE or equivalent after every overhaul.

Wheel Side





1. Install boot and new small boot band on drive shaft.
Cover drive shaft serration with tape so as not to damage boot during installation.





2. Set joint assembly onto drive shaft by lightly tapping it. Install joint assembly securely, ensuring marks which were made during disassembly are properly aligned.





3. Pack drive shaft with specified amount of grease.
Specified amount of grease: 115 - 125 g (4.06 - 4.41 oz)
4. Make sure that boot is properly installed on the drive shaft groove.
Set boot so that it does not swell and deform when its length is "L1"
Length "L1": 103 mm (4.06 inch)





5. Lock new larger and smaller boot bands securely with a suitable tool.





6. Install the sensor rotor. For front sensor rotor, use hammer and wooden block. For rear sensor rotor, use suitable drift and press.
- Always replace sensor rotor with new one.

Dynamic Damper





1. Use new damper bands when installing.
2. Install dynamic damper from stationary joint side while holding it securely.
Length:
"A": 205 - 215 mm (8.07 - 8.46 inch)
"B": 50 mm (1.97 inch) (Except M/T model with LSD)
70 mm (2.76 inch) (M/T model with LSD)

Transaxle Side
The joint on the transaxle side cannot be disassembled.

Support Bearing





- Press bearing into retainer.
- Install snap ring.
- Install support bearing dust shield.





- Press drive shaft into bearing.





- Install snap ring.
- Install support bearing dust shield.
- Install dust shield.