Differential Assembly: Assembly

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 And Thrust Washer
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Install side gears and thrust washers into differential case.
CAUTION:
- Never reuse circular clip.
- Make sure that the circular clip is installed to side gear (side retainer side).
Align 2 pinion mate gears in diagonally opposite positions, then rotate and install them into differential case after installing thrust washer to pinion mate gear.

Fig 2: Rotating Pinion Mate Gears In Differential Case
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Align the lock pin holes on differential case with shaft, and install pinion mate shaft.

Fig 3: Installing Pinion Mate Shaft
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Measure side gear end play. If necessary, select the appropriate side gear thrust washers.
1. Place differential case straight up so that side gear to be measured comes upward.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Differential Center Line And Side Gear End Play Measuring Points
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. Using feeler gauge, measure the clearance between side gear back and differential case at 3 different points, while rotating side gear. Average the 3 readings, and then measure the clearance of the other side as well.
  Side gear back clearance: Refer to "DIFFERENTIAL SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE ".
  
  CAUTION: To prevent side gear from tilting, insert feeler gauges with the same thickness from both sides.
3. If the back clearance is outside the specification, use a thicker/thinner side gear thrust washer to adjust. For selecting thrust washer, refer to the latest parts information.
  When the back clearance is large: Use a thicker thrust washer.
  
  When the back clearance is small: Use a thinner thrust washer.
  
  Fig 5: Measuring Side Gear Back Clearance
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  
  CAUTION: Select a side gear thrust washer for right and left individually.
Drive a lock pin into pinion mate shaft, using a punch.
Make sure lock pin is flush with differential case.

CAUTION: Never reuse lock pin.

Fig 6: Driving Lock Pin Into Pinion Mate Shaft
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Align the matching mark of drive gear with the mark of differential case, then place drive gear.

Fig 7: Aligning Matching Mark Of Differential Case
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Apply thread locking sealant into the thread hole of drive gear.
- Use Genuine Medium Strength Thread Locking Sealant or equivalent. Refer to "RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS ".
CAUTION: Drive gear back and threaded holes must be cleaned and decreased sufficiently.

Fig 8: Applying Thread Locking Sealant Into Thread Hole Of Drive Gear
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Install drive gear on the mounting bolts.
CAUTION: Tighten bolts in a crisscross fashion.

Fig 9: Tightening Drive Gear Bolts
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Press side bearing inner races to differential case, using the drift (A) and the base (B).
CAUTION: Never reuse side bearing inner race.

Fig 10: Pressing Side Bearing Inner Races To Differential Case Using SST
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Press-fit side bearing outer race into side retainer with the drift bar (A) and the drift (B).

Fig 11: Pressing-Fit Side Bearing Outer Race Into Side Retainer Using SST
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- At first, using a hammer, tap bearing outer race until it becomes flat to side retainer.
- Never reuse side bearing outer race.
Press-fit side bearing outer race into gear carrier with the drift bar (A) and the drift (B).

Fig 12: Pressing-Fit Side Bearing Outer Race Into Gear Carrier Using SST
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- At first, using a hammer, tap bearing outer race until it becomes flat to gear carrier.
- Never reuse side bearing outer race.
Place the differential case assembly into gear carrier.
Measure side bearing preload. If necessary, select the appropriate side bearing adjusting shim. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".

Fig 13: Identifying Differential Case Assembly And Gear Carrier
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Install selected side bearing adjusting shim (1). Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".

Fig 14: Installing Selected Side Bearing Adjusting Shim And O-Ring
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Apply multi-purpose grease to O-ring, and install it to side retainer.
CAUTION: Never reuse O-ring.
Install side retainer assembly to gear carrier.
Install side retainer mounting bolts.

Fig 15: Locating Side Retainer Mounting Bolts
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Using the drift (A) [SST: ST33400001 (J-26082)], press-fit side oil seal so that its surface comes face-to-face with the end surface of the side retainer.
CAUTION:
- Never reuse oil seal.
- When installing, never incline oil seal.
- Apply multi-purpose grease onto oil seal lips, and gear oil onto the circumference of oil seal.
Fig 16: Installing Side Oil Seal
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Using the drift (A) [SST: KV38102100 (J-25803-01)], press-fit side oil seal so that its surface comes face-to-face with the end surface of gear carrier.
CAUTION:
- Never reuse oil seal.
- When installing, never incline oil seal.
- Apply multi-purpose grease onto oil seal lips, and gear oil onto the circumference of oil seal.
Fig 17: Installing Side Oil Seal
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Apply multi-purpose grease to O-ring, and install it to gear carrier.
CAUTION: Never reuse O-ring.
Check and adjust drive gear runout, tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and total preload torque. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".
Recheck above items. Readjust as described above, if necessary.
Apply sealant to mating surface of carrier cover.
- Use Genuine Silicone RTV or equivalent. Refer to "RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS ".
CAUTION: Remove old sealant adhering to mounting surfaces. Also remove any moisture, oil, or foreign material adhering to application and mounting surfaces.

Fig 18: Identifying Sealant Application Area
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Install carrier cover on gear carrier and tighten mounting bolts.

Fig 19: Locating Carrier Cover Mounting Bolts
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Set breather connector angle (A) as shown in the figure below.
- VQ37VHR
  
  Fig 20: Identifying Breather Connector Angle (VQ37VHR)
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  
  A: 0 - 30°
- VK56VD
  
  Fig 21: Identifying Breather Connector Angle (VK56VD)
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  
  A: 0 - 15°