[D3c]

Hi Guys,


Had my Nav just over a week now, and so far loving it. I'm slowly checking it all over and noting some maintenance bits that need doing and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.


I've had a look underneath and at present the only thing I've noted is the rear diff pinion seal is leaking slightly. I have read and think this will be do-able on the drive, and looks like as long as you mark the nut and note the number of turns you can get the preload back to where it was. Does this sound about right? I'll check the breather while I'm at it and give that a clean, and I've ordered some Diff oil to do an oil change at the same time. Would you guys recommend getting a garage to do it instead?


I think these are the bits I'll need:


Pinion nut - Nissan - Part no. 38210A (Mustbe replaced each time) - £6.31
Pinion washer - Nissan - Part no. 38210B (Must be replaced each time) - £4.25
Pinion Seal - Milner - Nissan part no. 38189 - £8




Next up I'll give it an engine oil change, standard 'brought a new vehicle' thing for me, but also is there anywhere than needs greasing underneath? I think when I found a service schedule there were a few bits but not sure exactly where It meant.


I've also brought both the drive belts to get on at some stage as its just ticked over 108k and they look like the originals.


Other than that I think that's all it needs at present. In the coming months I'll need to speak to Billcar about getting the duplex timing chain done, it sounds like its worth the trip for them to do it.


Any other general advice towards maintenance? I like to have a go myself and get stuck in where possible! Anything that's not worth risking (I.e the pinion seal possibly) I would rather hand over to a competent garage though!


Quick pic when I first got it home (looks a bit weird as it wouldn't all fit in very easily!)

Thanks in advance,
Dec

 

[landmannnn]

Worth thinking about changing the oil in the gearboxes and diffs, renewing brake fluid and coolant as well as lubricating everything that moves.
Is the diff leak actually dripping or just a stain? If just a stain I would suggest you clean it up and see if it comes back.

 

[Kasey]

If you are going to the trouble of changing the diff oil, you might want to consider doing the 'breather mod'. Replace the current breather with one that allows you to run a pipe to a higher point so that it is less likely for water to get in when going through water. "Rich" can (or has in the past) supply these. In fact I seem to remember a recent thread where people were asking him for some.


Also, trucks with the wheel pattern that you have were subject to a recall because of possible cracking. They were replaced with the later pattern wheels. It might be worth asking your local Nissan Dealer to check if yours were checked.
All should have been replaced eventually so I don't know why yours still has that pattern.


As far as I know the recall did not apply to the Pathfinder, presumably because of its lesser Gross Vehicle Weight (although personally I don't think that is a good enough reason not to change them).

 

[nomisco]

As far as I know the recall did not apply to the Pathfinder, presumably because of its lesser Gross Vehicle Weight (although personally I don't think that is a good enough reason not to change them).

My Pathfinder has the newer style wheels, and I'm sure they had been replaced because they were in almost new condition when I bought the car.

 

[D3c]

Worth thinking about changing the oil in the gearboxes and diffs, renewing brake fluid and coolant as well as lubricating everything that moves.
Is the diff leak actually dripping or just a stain? If just a stain I would suggest you clean it up and see if it comes back.

Thank you landmannnn, I'll get all the fluids ordered up and do the lot. I don't think I'll attempt the brake fluid as I'm not sure how easy it is to bleed them. It's mid-service interval but seen most do them more regularly and makes sense to do a big one for peace of mind!


Pretty sure its leaking as I'd noticed a couple of drips on the drive, but still worth cleaning it up and seeing if it comes back. I suspect it probably will require doing though, I had the same thing on my M3 not too long ago (although BMW prices are on another level!)

If you are going to the trouble of changing the diff oil, you might want to consider doing the 'breather mod'. Replace the current breather with one that allows you to run a pipe to a higher point so that it is less likely for water to get in when going through water. "Rich" can (or has in the past) supply these. In fact I seem to remember a recent thread where people were asking him for some.


Also, trucks with the wheel pattern that you have were subject to a recall because of possible cracking. They were replaced with the later pattern wheels. It might be worth asking your local Nissan Dealer to check if yours were checked.
All should have been replaced eventually so I don't know why yours still has that pattern.


As far as I know the recall did not apply to the Pathfinder, presumably because of its lesser Gross Vehicle Weight (although personally I don't think that is a good enough reason not to change them).

Thanks Kasey, I saw about the breather mod and messaged Rich early this morning so should have one of his mods on the way to me soon! Seems well worth doing and quite easy from the guide I saw.


Handy to know about the wheels, bit of a shame as I quite like this style! Do they just swap the tyres over onto replacements? I'll pop in at some point and find out. The guy who owned it before me had it for about 5 years and took it to a local garage rather than main dealer (don't really blame him!) so may not have known, he wasn't really fussed as long as anything it needed was done, and it hasn't really done many miles in the last 2 years anyway.


Thanks guys!

 

[Kasey]

Thank you landmannnn, I'll get all the fluids ordered up and do the lot. I don't think I'll attempt the brake fluid as I'm not sure how easy it is to bleed them. It's mid-service interval but seen most do them more regularly and makes sense to do a big one for peace of mind!


Pretty sure its leaking as I'd noticed a couple of drips on the drive, but still worth cleaning it up and seeing if it comes back. I suspect it probably will require doing though, I had the same thing on my M3 not too long ago (although BMW prices are on another level!)




Thanks Kasey, I saw about the breather mod and messaged Rich early this morning so should have one of his mods on the way to me soon! Seems well worth doing and quite easy from the guide I saw.


Handy to know about the wheels, bit of a shame as I quite like this style! Do they just swap the tyres over onto replacements? I'll pop in at some point and find out. The guy who owned it before me had it for about 5 years and took it to a local garage rather than main dealer (don't really blame him!) so may not have known, he wasn't really fussed as long as anything it needed was done, and it hasn't really done many miles in the last 2 years anyway.


Thanks guys!

Yes, they just swap the tyres onto the new rims. One of the previous owners should have received an official letter from Nissan about the recall. I know I did on my 2006 truck. Cant blame anyone for not using main dealers. I don't unless I have to.

 

[D3c]

Yes, they just swap the tyres onto the new rims. One of the previous owners should have received an official letter from Nissan about the recall. I know I did on my 2006 truck. Cant blame anyone for not using main dealers. I don't unless I have to.

Ok that sounds pretty easy then, I've never been to the dealer near me so will see how I get on! Strange r.e the letter, I'll give him a call and see if he knows any more!

 

[D3c]

Hi guys,

I've just been having a look through the workshop manual, and it mentions replacing the 'gasket' on each of the filler/drain plugs. Is this just the standard size copper washer like on a sump?

Cheers!

 

[D3c]

Went into the dealer yesterday and booked in for the Alloy recall, nice touch!

 

[Rich.]

The pinion seal is a tricky one. Lots of people do exactly as you described, but its not the correct way. The service manual states that whenever the pinion nut is removed, it should be re torqued with an additional 5 in/lb of rotational resistance. To measure this, the diff carrier has to be removed, the preload measured, then the carrier refitted and backlash and side bearing preload reset. All of this is quite a specialist job, requiring some quite expensive specialist tools.

I guess its upto you. Replacing it with the method that you described will work, but the chances are the preload will be lower on the pinion bearings and it will eat through them faster, quite possibly damaging the whole diff. However im sure there are plenty of people saying they have done it and its been fine. Personally i bought all the gear when i changed my gear ratios and did it all myself with a lot of research, but if i was in your position, id take it to a reputable axle building company.

Rich

 

[D3c]

The pinion seal is a tricky one. Lots of people do exactly as you described, but its not the correct way. The service manual states that whenever the pinion nut is removed, it should be re torqued with an additional 5 in/lb of rotational resistance. To measure this, the diff carrier has to be removed, the preload measured, then the carrier refitted and backlash and side bearing preload reset. All of this is quite a specialist job, requiring some quite expensive specialist tools.

I guess its upto you. Replacing it with the method that you described will work, but the chances are the preload will be lower on the pinion bearings and it will eat through them faster, quite possibly damaging the whole diff. However im sure there are plenty of people saying they have done it and its been fine. Personally i bought all the gear when i changed my gear ratios and did it all myself with a lot of research, but if i was in your position, id take it to a reputable axle building company.

Rich

Cheers Rich, I was trying to avoid a hefty bill but obviously this could be worse if it messed up the actual diff. I've just topped the oil up for now and will get some quotes. I think it was £700 on my BMW to get the rear pinion changed, just seems criminal with the seal being so cheap!

Just dropped you a PM too actually.

 

[Rich.]

Yep, that wouldn't surprise me, unfortunately the parts are by far the cheapest. The labour is pretty huge for it, plus the crush sleeve has to be replaced, then factoring the purchase cost of the specialist tools and £700 seems about right!

Rich