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RAX-1
REAR AXLE
D DRIVELINE/AXLE
CONTENTS
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REAR AXLE
PRECAUTIONS ......................................................... 2
Caution .................................................................... 2
PREPARATION .......................................................... 3
Special Service Tools (SST) .................................... 3
Commercial Service Tools ....................................... 3
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................... 4
NVH Troubleshooting Chart .................................... 4
WHEEL HUB ............................................................. 5
On-Vehicle Inspection and Service ......................... 5
WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION ........................ 5
Removal and Installation ......................................... 5
REMOVAL ............................................................ 5
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ........................ 6
INSTALLATION .................................................... 6
Disassembly and Assembly ..................................... 6
DISASSEMBLY .................................................... 6
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ................. 7
ASSEMBLY .......................................................... 7
INSPECTION AFTER ASSEMBLY ....................... 8
REAR DRIVE SHAFT ................................................ 9
Removal and Installation ......................................... 9
REMOVAL ............................................................ 9
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ........................ 9
INSTALLATION .................................................... 9
Disassembly and Assembly ................................... 10
DISASSEMBLY .................................................. 10
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ............... 11
ASSEMBLY ........................................................ 12
SERVICE DATA ....................................................... 15
Wheel Bearing ....................................................... 15
Drive Shaft ............................................................. 15
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RAX-2
PRECAUTIONS
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
PRECAUTIONS PFP:00001
Caution ADS000C0
Observe the following precautions when disassembling and servicing drive shaft.
● Perform work in a location which is as dust-free as possible.
● Before disassembling and servicing, clean the outside of parts.
● Prevention of the entry of foreign objects must be taken into account during disassembly of the service
location.
● Disassembled parts must be carefully reassembled in the correct order. If work is interrupted, a clean
cover must be placed over parts.
● Paper shop cloths must be used. Fabric shop cloths must not be used because of the danger of lint adher- ing to parts.
● Disassembled parts (except for rubber parts) should be cleaned with kerosene which shall be removed by
blowing with air or wiping with paper shop cloths.
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PREPARATION
RAX-3
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PREPARATION PFP:00002
Special Service Tools (SST) ADS000C1
The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.
Commercial Service Tools ADS000C2
Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.)
Tool name
Description
ST33251000
( — )
Drift
● Removing wheel hub
● Removing wheel bearing outer side
inner race
● Installing wheel hub
● Inspection of wheel bearing rotating
torque
ST35300000
( — )
Drift
a: 45 mm (1.77 in) dia.
b: 59 mm (2.32 in) dia.
● Installing wheel hub
● Inspection of wheel bearing rotating
torque
KV40100900
( — )
Drift
a: 52 mm (2.05 in) dia.
b: —
Wheel bearing rotating torque
inspection
KV38100500
( — )
Drift
a: 80 mm (3.15 in) dia.
b: 60 mm (2.36 in) dia.
Installing drive shaft plug
KV38102200
( — )
Drift
a: 90 mm (3.54 in) dia.
b: 31 mm (1.22 in) dia.
Installing drive shaft plug
ZZA0982D
ZZA0881D
ZZA0539D
ZZA0701D
ZZA0920D
Tool name Description
Power tool
● Removing wheel nuts
● Removing brake caliper assembly
● Removing wheel hub and bearing
assembly
● Removing suspension links
● Removing drive shaft fixing bolts
and nuts PBIC0190E
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RAX-4
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING PFP:00003
NVH Troubleshooting Chart ADS000C3
Use chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
×: Applicable
Reference page —
RAX-9
—
RAX-5
—
NVH in PR section
NVH in RFD section
NVH in FAX and FSU section
Refer to REAR AXLE in this chart.
NVH in WT section
NVH in WT section
Refer to DRIVE SHAFT in this chart.
NVH in BR section
NVH in PS section
Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS
Excessive joint angle
Joint sliding resistance
Imbalance
Improper installation, looseness
Parts interference
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIFFERENTIAL
FRONT AXLE AND FRONT SUSPENSION
REAR AXLE
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
DRIVE SHAFT
BRAKES
STEERING
Symptom
DRIVE
SHAFT
Noise ×× ×××××× ××
Shake × × × ×××× ××
REAR
AXLE
Noise ×× × × × × × × × ×
Shake ×× × × × × × × ×
Vibration ×× × × × × ×
Shimmy ×× × × × × ×
Judder × × ×× ××
Poor quality ride or handling ×× × ××
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WHEEL HUB
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WHEEL HUB PFP:43202
On-Vehicle Inspection and Service ADS000C4
Make sure the mounting conditions (looseness, back lash) of each component and component status (wear,
damage) are normal.
WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION
● Move wheel hub in the axial direction by hand. Make sure there is no looseness of wheel bearing.
● Rotate wheel hub and make sure there is no unusual noise or other irregular conditions. If there are any
irregular conditions, replace wheel bearings.
Removal and Installation ADS000C5
REMOVAL
1. Remove tire with power tool.
2. Remove brake caliper with power tool. Hang it in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to BR- 27, "Removal and Installation of Brake Caliper Assembly" .
NOTE:
● Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
3. Remove disc rotor.
4. Remove wheel sensor from axle. Refer to BRC-57, "WHEEL SENSORS" .
CAUTION:
Do not pull on wheel sensor harness.
5. Remove cotter pin. Then remove lock nut from drive shaft.
6. Separate drive shaft from wheel hub and bearing assembly by lightly tapping the end with a suitable ham- mer and wood block. If it is hard to separate, use a suitable puller.
7. Remove fixing bolts of wheel hub and bearing assembly with power tool, then remove wheel hub and
bearing assembly from axle.
8. Remove parking brake cable and parking brake shoe from back plate. Refer to PB-5, "PARKING BRAKE
SHOE" and PB-3, "PARKING BRAKE CONTROL" .
9. Remove fixing nuts of anchor block with power tool, then remove anchor block and back plate from axle.
Axial end play : 0 mm (0 in)
1. Drive shaft 2. Bushing 3. Axle
4. Back plate 5. Anchor block 6. Wheel bearing
7. Wheel hub 8. Cotter pin
SDIA1481E
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RAX-6
WHEEL HUB
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
10. Loosen fixing bolts and nuts of front lower link, radius rod, and rear lower link in side of suspension mem- ber.
11. Set jack under rear lower link. Then remove fixing bolt in front lower link side of shock absorber with
power tool.
12. Remove bolt and nut in axle side of rear lower link with power tool. Then remove coil spring. Refer to
RSU-15, "REAR LOWER LINK & COIL SPRING" .
13. Remove fixing bolts and nuts in axle side of front lower link, radius rod with power tool.
14. Remove suspension arm and cotter pin at axle, then loosen mounting nut.
15. Use a ball joint remover (suitable tool) to remove suspension arm from axle. Be careful not to damage ball
joint boot.
CAUTION:
Tighten temporarily mounting nut to prevent damage to threads and to prevent ball joint remover
(suitable tool) from coming off.
16. Remove axle from vehicle.
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Ball Joint Inspection
Check for boot breakage, axial looseness, and torque of suspension arm ball joint. Refer to RSU-11,
"INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL" .
INSTALLATION
● Refer to RAX-5, "Removal and Installation" for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.
● Perform final tightening of installation position of suspension links (rubber bushing) under unladen condi- tions with tires on level ground, Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-5, "Wheel Alignment Inspection" .
● After adjusting wheel alignment, adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "Adjust- ment of Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position" .
Disassembly and Assembly ADS000C6
DISASSEMBLY
Wheel Bearing
CAUTION:
Do not disassemble if wheel bearing has no trouble.
1. Remove wheel bearing fixing bolts and anchor block fixing nuts, and remove wheel hub and bearing
assembly, back plate and anchor block from axle.
2. Using a drift (SST) and a puller (suitable tool), press wheel hub
out to remove from wheel bearing.
SDIA1482E
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WHEEL HUB
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3. Using a drift (SST) and a puller (suitable tool), press wheel bear- ing outer side inner race out to remove from wheel hub.
Bushing
Using a suitable drift, remove each bushing from axle.
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY
Check for deformity, cracks and damage of each parts, replace if necessary.
Wheel Hub
Inspect wheel hub for deformation, cracks, and other damage. If any irregular conditions are found, replace
wheel hub.
Axle
Inspect axle for deformation, cracks, and other damage. If any irregular conditions are found, replace axle.
Back Plate
Inspect back plate for deformation, cracks, and other damage. If any irregular conditions are found, replace
back plate.
ASSEMBLY
Bushing
Using a suitable drift to install each bushing onto axle.
SDIA1483E
SDIA1484E
SDIA1485E
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RAX-8
WHEEL HUB
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
Wheel Bearing
1. Press fit a wheel hub into wheel bearing with a drift (SST).
CAUTION:
● Press fit a drift (SST) while holding it against wheel bear- ing inner side inner race.
● Wheel bearing cannot be reused. Do not attempt to reuse
it.
NOTE:
Final press load guideline 49,033 N (5,000 kg, 11,000 lb)
2. Install back plate and wheel hub and bearing assembly.
3. Install anchor block onto axle.
INSPECTION AFTER ASSEMBLY
1. With wheel bearing pressed into axle housing, apply 49,033 N (5,000 kg, 11,000 lb) to wheel hub and
rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise 10 times to minimize resistance.
2. Attach spring scale in the position shown in illustration and pull
at a rate of 10 ± 2 rpm to measure rotating torque.
SDIA1120E
Rotating torque:
Less than 2.7 N·m (0.28 kg-m, 24 in-lb)
Spring scale reading:
Less than 26.6 N (2.7 kg, 5.95 lb)
SDIA1486E
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REAR DRIVE SHAFT
RAX-9
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REAR DRIVE SHAFT PFP:39600
Removal and Installation ADS000C7
REMOVAL
1. Remove tire with power tool.
2. Remove cotter pin. Then remove lock nut from drive shaft.
3. Remove fixing nuts and bolts between side flange and drive shaft with power tool.
4. Separate drive shaft from wheel hub and bearing assembly by lightly tapping the end with a suitable ham- mer and wood block. If it is hard to separate, use a suitable puller.
5. Remove drive shaft from axle.
CAUTION:
When removing drive shaft, do not apply an excessive angle to drive shaft joint. Also be careful
not to excessively extend slide joint.
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
● Move joint up/down, left/right, and in the axial direction. Check
for any rough movement or significant looseness.
● Check boot for cracks or other damage, and also for grease
leakage.
● If a trouble is found, disassemble drive shaft, and then replace
with new one.
INSTALLATION
Refer to RAX-9, "Removal and Installation" for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.
1. Side flange 2. Cotter pin
SDIA1487E
RAA0030D
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RAX-10
REAR DRIVE SHAFT
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
Disassembly and Assembly ADS000C8
DISASSEMBLY
Final Drive Side
1. Press shaft in a vice.
CAUTION:
When retaining drive shaft in a vise, always use copper or aluminum plates between vise and
shaft.
2. Remove boot bands.
3. If plug needs to be removed, move boot to wheel side, and drive it out with a plastic hammer.
4. Remove stopper ring with a flat-bladed screwdriver, and pull out
housing.
5. Remove snap ring, then remove ball cage/steel ball/inner race
assembly from shaft.
6. Remove boot from shaft.
7. Remove old grease on housing with paper towels.
1. Plug 2. Housing 3. Snap ring
4. Ball cage/Steel ball/Inner race
assembly
5. Stopper ring 6. Boot band
7. Boot 8. Shaft 9. Circular clip
10. Joint sub-assembly
SDIA1488E
SRA249A
SFA514A
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REAR DRIVE SHAFT
RAX-11
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Wheel Side
1. Place shaft in a vice.
CAUTION:
When retaining drive shaft in a vise, always use copper or aluminum plates between vise and
shaft.
2. Remove boot bands. Then remove boot from joint sub-assembly.
3. Screw a drive shaft puller 30 mm (1.18 in) or more into threaded
part of joint sub-assembly. Pull joint sub-assembly out of shaft.
CAUTION:
● If joint sub-assembly cannot be removed after five or
more unsuccessful attempts, replace shaft and joint sub- assembly as a set.
● Align sliding hammer and drive shaft and remove them
by pulling directly.
4. Remove boot from shaft.
5. Remove circular clip from shaft.
6. While rotating ball cage, remove old grease on joint sub-assem- bly with paper towels.
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY
Shaft
Replace shaft if there is any runout, cracking, or other damage.
Joint Sub-Assembly
● Make sure there is no rough rotation or unusual axial looseness.
● Make sure there is no foreign material inside joint.
● Check joint sub-assembly for compression scars, cracks, or fractures.
CAUTION:
If there are any irregular conditions of joint sub-assembly components, replace the entire joint
sub-assembly.
Sliding Joint Side (Housing)
● Make sure there are no compression scars, cracks, fractures or unusual wear of ball rolling surface.
● Make sure there is no damage to shaft screws.
● Make sure there is no deformation of boot installation parts.
Ball Cage
Make sure there are no compression scars, cracks, fractures of sliding surface.
Steel Ball
Make sure there are no compression scars, cracks, fractures or unusual wear.
Inner Race
● Check ball sliding surface for compression scars, cracks, or fractures.
● Make sure there is no damage to serrated part.
CAUTION:
If there are any irregular conditions in the component, replace with a new set of housing, ball
cage, steel ball and inner race.
SDIA0606E
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RAX-12
REAR DRIVE SHAFT
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
ASSEMBLY
Final Drive Side
1. If plug has been removed, use a drift (SST) to press in a new
one.
NOTE:
Discard old plug; replace with new one.
2. Wind serrated part of shaft with tape. Install boot band and boot
to shaft. Be careful not to damage boot.
NOTE:
Discard old boot band and boot; replace with each new one.
3. Remove protective tape wound around serrated part of shaft.
4. Install ball cage/steel ball/inner race assembly to shaft, and
secure them tightly with a snap ring.
NOTE:
Discard old snap ring; replace with new one.
5. Insert the amount of grease (NISSAN genuine grease or equiva- lent) onto housing (* point) to the quantity mentioned below, and
install it to shaft.
6. Install stopper ring to housing.
7. After installed, pull shaft to check engagement between joint
sub-assembly and stopper ring.
SDIA1153E
SFA800
SDIA1125E
Grease amount
VK45DE : 175 − 195 g (6.17 − 6.88 oz)
VQ35DE : 124 − 134 g (4.37 − 4.73 oz)
RAC0678D
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REAR DRIVE SHAFT
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8. Install boot securely into grooves (indicated by * marks) shown
in the figure.
CAUTION:
If there is grease on boot mounting surfaces (indicated by*
marks) of shaft and housing, boot may come off. Remove
all grease from surfaces.
9. Make sure boot installation length “L” is the length indicated
below. Insert a flat-bladed screwdriver or similar tool into smaller
side of boot. Bleed air from boot to prevent boot deformation.
CAUTION:
● Boot may break if boot installation length is less than standard value.
● Take care not to touch the tip of screwdriver to inside of boot.
10. Secure big and small ends of boot with new boot bands as
shown in the figure.
NOTE:
Discard old boot bands; replace with new ones.
11. After installing housing and shaft, rotate boot to check whether
or not the actual position is correct. If boot position is not correct,
secure boot with new boot band again.
Wheel Side
1. Insert the amount of grease (NISSAN genuine grease or equiva- lent) into joint sub-assembly serration hole until grease begins to
ooze from ball groove and serration hole. After insert grease,
use a shop cloth to wipe off old grease that has oozed out.
2. Wind serrated part of shaft with tape. Install boot band and boot
to shaft. Be careful not to damage boot.
NOTE:
Discard old boot band and boot; replace with each new one.
3. Remove protective tape wound around serrated part of shaft.
Boot installation Length “L ”
VK45DE : 147.9 mm (5.82 in)
VQ35DE : 93.9 mm (3.697 in)
SDIA1738E
SFA395
SDIA1127E
SFA800
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RAX-14
REAR DRIVE SHAFT
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX
4. Attach circular clip to shaft. At this time, circular clip must fit
securely into shaft groove. Attach nut to joint sub-assembly.
Use a wooden hammer to press-fit.
NOTE:
Discard old circular clip; replace with new one.
5. Insert the amount of grease (NISSAN genuine grease or equiva- lent) listed below into housing from large end of boot.
6. Install boot securely into grooves (indicated by * marks) shown
in the figure.
CAUTION:
If there is grease on boot mounting surfaces (indicated by*
marks) of shaft and housing, boot may come off. Remove
all grease from surfaces.
7. Make sure boot installation length “L” is the length indicated
below. Insert a flat-bladed screwdriver or similar tool into smaller
side of boot. Bleed air from boot to prevent boot deformation.
CAUTION:
● Boot may break if boot installation length is less than standard value.
● Be careful that screwdriver tip does not contact inside surface of boot.
8. Secure big and small ends of boot with new boot bands as
shown in the figure.
NOTE:
Discard old boot bands; replace with new ones.
9. After installing joint sub-assembly and shaft, rotate boot to check
whether or not the actual position is correct. If boot position is
not correct, secure boot with new boot bands again.
Grease amount
VK45DE : 140 − 160 g (4.93 − 5.64 oz)
VQ35DE : 86 − 96 g (3.03 − 3.39 oz) RAC0049D
Boot installation length “L”
VK45DE : 141.5 mm (5.57 in)
VQ35DE : 97 mm (3.82 in)
SDIA1739E
SFA395
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SERVICE DATA
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SERVICE DATA PFP:00030
Wheel Bearing ADS000C9
Drive Shaft ADS000KS
Axial end play 0 mm (0 in)
Rotational torque At a load of 49,033 N (5,000 kg, 11,000 lb)
Less than 2.7 N·m (0.28 kg-m, 24 in-lb)
Measurement of spring scale Less than 26.6 N (2.7 kg, 5.95 lb)
Measuring point (Brake caliper installation points)
SDIA0801E
Joint Wheel side Final drive side
Engine model VQ35DE VK45DE VQ35DE VK45DE
Grease quantity 86 − 96 g
(3.03 − 3.39 oz)
140 − 160 g
(4.93 − 5.64 oz)
124 − 134 g
(4.37 − 4.73 oz)
175 − 195 g
(6.17 − 6.88 oz)
Boots installed length 97 mm (3.82 in) 141.5 mm (5.57 in) 93.9 mm (3.697 in) 147.9 mm (5.82 in)
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RAX-16
SERVICE DATA
Revision: 2005 July 2005 FX