TRANSMISSION & DRIVELINE

SECTION RAX REAR AXLE

B

RAX

E
CONTENTS
SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS ............................... 2 Inspection ................................................................. 6 F

NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ................ 7

(NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING ............................. 2 G
NVH Troubleshooting Chart ...................................... 2
REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING ................ 7
Exploded View .......................................................... 7
PRECAUTION ............................................... 3 Removal and Installation .......................................... 7
Inspection ................................................................. 9 H
PRECAUTIONS ................................................... 3
Precautions for Drive Shaft ....................................... 3 REAR DRIVE SHAFT ........................................ 10
Exploded View .........................................................10
I
PREPARATION ............................................ 4 Removal and Installation .........................................10
Disassembly and Assembly .....................................11
PREPARATION ................................................... 4 Inspection ................................................................15
Special Service Tool ................................................. 4 J
Commercial Service Tool .......................................... 4 SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS
(SDS) ............................................................ 16
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE .......................... 5 K
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS
REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING ................. 5 (SDS) ................................................................. 16
Inspection .................................................................. 5
Wheel Bearing .........................................................16
L
REAR DRIVE SHAFT .......................................... 6 Drive Shaft ...............................................................16

Revision: 2013 February RAX-1 2012 G Sedan

 NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >
SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
NVH Troubleshooting Chart INFOID:0000000007464039

Use chart below to find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.

Refer to DRIVE SHAFT in this chart.

Refer to REAR AXLE in this chart.
NVH in RAX and RSU sections.
NVH in DLN section.

NVH in DLN section.

NVH in WT section.

NVH in WT section.

NVH in BR section.

NVH in ST section.
RAX-15

RAX-7
—

—
Reference

REAR AXLE AND REAR SUSPENSION

Improper installation, looseness
Joint sliding resistance

PROPELLER SHAFT
Excessive joint angle

Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS Parts interference

DIFFERENTIAL

ROAD WHEEL

DRIVE SHAFT
REAR AXLE

STEERING
Imbalance

BRAKE
TIRE
DRIVE Noise × × × × × × × × × ×
SHAFT Shake × × × × × × × × ×
Noise × × × × × × × × × ×
Shake × × × × × × × × ×
Symptom
Vibration × × × × × × ×
REAR AXLE
Shimmy × × × × × × ×
Judder × × × × × ×
Poor quality ride or handling × × × × ×
×: Applicable

Revision: 2013 February RAX-2 2012 G Sedan

 PRECAUTIONS
< PRECAUTION >
PRECAUTION A
PRECAUTIONS
Precautions for Drive Shaft INFOID:0000000007464040
B
• Observe the following precautions when disassembling and assembling drive shaft.
• Never disassemble joint sub-assembly because it is non-overhaul parts.
• Perform work in a location which is as dust-free as possible. C
• Clean the parts, before disassembling and assembling.
• Prevent the entry of foreign objects during disassembly of the service location.
• Reassemble disassembled parts carefully in the correct order. If work is interrupted, a clean cover must be RAX
placed over parts.
• Use paper waste. Fabric shop cloths must not be used because of the danger of lint adhering to parts.
• Clean disassembled parts (except for rubber parts) with kerosene which shall be removed by blowing with
air or wiping with paper waste. E

Revision: 2013 February RAX-3 2012 G Sedan

 PREPARATION
< PREPARATION >
PREPARATION
PREPARATION
Special Service Tool INFOID:0000000007464041

The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.

Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.) Description
Tool name
KV40107300 Installing boot band
( − )
Boot band crimping tool

ZZA1229D

Commercial Service Tool INFOID:0000000007464042

Tool name Description

Power tool Loosening bolts and nuts

PBIC0190E

Revision: 2013 February RAX-4 2012 G Sedan

 REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE A
REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING
Inspection INFOID:0000000007464043
B

MOUNTING INSPECTION
Make sure the mounting conditions (looseness, back lash) of each component and component conditions C
(wear, damage) are normal.
WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION
• Move wheel hub and bearing assembly in the axial direction by hand. Make sure there is no looseness of RAX
wheel bearing.

Standard E
Axial end play : Refer to RAX-16, "Wheel Bearing".
• Rotate wheel hub and bearing assembly and make sure that is no unusual noise or other irregular condi-
tions. If there is any of irregular conditions, replace wheel hub and bearing assembly. F

Revision: 2013 February RAX-5 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
REAR DRIVE SHAFT
Inspection INFOID:0000000007464044

• Check drive shaft mounting point and joint for looseness and other damage.
• Check boot for cracks and other damage.
CAUTION:
Replace entire drive shaft assembly when noise or vibration occurs from drive shaft.

Revision: 2013 February RAX-6 2012 G Sedan

 REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION A
REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING
Exploded View INFOID:0000000007464045
B

RAX

JPDIG0178GB
H
1. Ball seat 2. Bushing 3. Cotter pin
4. Axle housing 5. Back plate 6. Anchor block
7. Wheel hub and bearing assembly 8. Spring washer 9. Wheel hub lock nut I
10. Adjusting cap
A. Tightening must be done following
the installation procedure. Refer to J
RAX-7, "Removal and Installation".
Refer to GI-4, "Components" for symbols in the figure.

Removal and Installation INFOID:0000000007464046

K

REMOVAL
L
Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly
1. Remove tire from vehicle with power tool.
2. Remove caliper assembly. Hang caliper assembly in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to M
BR-61, "BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY (1 PISTON TYPE) : Exploded View" (1 piston type), BR-65,
"BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY (2 PISTON TYPE) : Exploded View" (2 piston type).
CAUTION: N
Never depress brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
3. Remove disc rotor. Refer to BR-62, "BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY (1 PISTON TYPE) : Removal and
Installation" (1 piston type), BR-66, "BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY (2 PISTON TYPE) : Removal and
Installation" (2 piston type). O
4. Remove cotter pin and adjusting cap, then loosen wheel hub lock nut with a power tool.

Revision: 2013 February RAX-7 2012 G Sedan

 REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
5. Put matching mark (A) on drive shaft and wheel hub and bearing
assembly.

JPDIG0121ZZ

6. Patch wheel hub lock nut with a piece of wood. Hammer the wood to disengage wheel hub and bearing
assembly from drive shaft. Take out the wheel hub lock nut and spring washer.
CAUTION:
• Never place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle. Also be careful not to overextend slide joint.
• Never allow drive shaft to hang down without support for counterpart such as joint sub-assem-
bly, and other parts.
NOTE:
Use a suitable puller, if the wheel hub and bearing assembly and drive shaft cannot be separated even
after performing the above procedure.
7. Remove cotter pin, then loosen suspension arm mounting nut of axle housing.
8. Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
Axle Housing
1. Remove wheel hub and bearing assembly.
2. Remove parking brake shoe and parking brake cable from back plate. Refer to PB-9, "Exploded View".
3. Remove mounting nuts in stabilizer side of stabilizer connecting rod with power tool. Refer to RSU-33,
"TYPE A : Exploded View" (Type A), RSU-34, "TYPE B : Exploded View" (Type B).
4. Remove axle side nuts and bolts on radius rod. Refer to RSU-25, "TYPE A : Exploded View" (Type A),
RSU-26, "TYPE B : Exploded View" (Type B).
5. Remove coil spring. Refer to RSU-10, "TYPE A : Exploded View" (Type A), RSU-12, "TYPE B : Exploded
View" (Type B).
6. Set suitable jack under axle housing.
7. Remove shock absorber mounting bolts and nuts (axle housing side) with power tool. Refer to RSU-10,
"TYPE A : Exploded View" (Type A), RSU-12, "TYPE B : Exploded View" (Type B).
8. Remove front lower link nuts and bolts (axle housing side), separate front lower link from axle housing.
Refer to RSU-10, "TYPE A : Exploded View" (Type A), RSU-12, "TYPE B : Exploded View" (Type B).
9. Separate suspension arm from axle housing so as not to damage ball joint boot using ball joint remover,
and then remove axle housing from the vehicle.
CAUTION:
• Temporarily tighten nuts to prevent damage to threads and to prevent the ball joint remover from
coming off.
• Never place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle. Also be careful not to overextend slide joint.
• Never allow drive shaft to hang down without support for counterpart such as joint sub-assem-
bly, and other parts.
10. Remove anchor block mounting nuts, and then remove anchor block and back plate from axle housing.
INSTALLATION
Note the following, and install in the reverse order of removal.
• Clean the matching surface of wheel hub lock nut and wheel hub and bearing assembly.
CAUTION:
Never apply lubricating oil to these matching surface.

Revision: 2013 February RAX-8 2012 G Sedan

 REAR WHEEL HUB AND HOUSING
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
• Clean the matching surface of drive shaft and wheel hub and bear-
ing assembly. And then apply paste [service parts (440037S000)] A
to surface (A) of joint sub-assembly of drive shaft.
CAUTION:
Apply paste to cover entire flat surface of joint sub-assembly
B
of drive shaft.

Amount paste 1.0 – 3.0 g (0.04 – 0.10 oz)

C
• When installing drive shaft, change the drive shaft and wheel hub
and bearing assembly matching marks put at the removal step by
180 degree. JPDIG0122ZZ

• Use the following torque range for tightening the wheel hub lock RAX
nut.

: 100 – 105 N·m (10 – 11 kg-m, 74 – 77 ft-lb) E

CAUTION:
• Since the drive shaft is assembled by press-fitting, use the tightening torque range for the wheel
hub lock nut. F
• Be sure to use torque wrench to tighten the wheel hub lock nut. Never use a power tool.
NOTE:
Wheel hub lock nut tightening torque does not over torque for avoiding axle noise, and does not less than G
torque for avoiding looseness.
• Perform the final tightening of each of parts under unladen conditions, which were removed when removing
wheel hub and bearing assembly and axle housing.
H
• When installing the spring washer, face the identification paint mark to the wheel hub and bearing assembly
side.
• When installing the adjusting cap, check that there must be no play.
• Never reuse cotter pin, wheel hub lock nut, spring washer, and bushing. I
Inspection INFOID:0000000007464047

J
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly
Check the wheel hub and bearing assembly for wear, cracks, and damage. Replace if necessary. K
Axle Housing
Check the axle housing for wear, cracks, and damage. Replace if necessary.
Ball Joint Inspection L
Check for boot breakage, axial looseness, and torque of suspension arm ball joint. Refer to RSU-7, "Inspec-
tion".
M
INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION
• Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-8, "Inspection".
• Adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-9, "ADJUSTMENT OF STEERING ANGLE
SENSOR NEUTRAL POSITION : Special Repair Requirement". N
• Adjust parking brake operation (stroke). Refer to PB-3, "PEDAL TYPE : Inspection and Adjustment" (pedal
type), PB-4, "LEVER TYPE : Inspection and Adjustment" (lever type).
O

Revision: 2013 February RAX-9 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
REAR DRIVE SHAFT
Exploded View INFOID:0000000007464048

JPDIG0162GB

1. Housing 2. Snap ring 3. Ball cage/steel ball/inner race as-

sembly
4. Stopper ring 5. Boot band 6. Boot
7. Shaft 8. Circular clip 9. Joint sub-assembly
10. Dust shield
: Wheel side
1: NISSAN genuine grease or an equivalent.
2: Apply paste [service parts (440037S000)].
Refer to GI-4, "Components" for symbols not described on the above.

Removal and Installation INFOID:0000000007464049

REMOVAL
1. Remove tire from vehicle with power tool.
2. Remove cotter pin and adjusting cap, then loosen wheel hub lock nut with power tool.
3. Put matching mark (A) on drive shaft and wheel hub and bearing
assembly.
4. Remove main muffler and center muffler. Refer to EX-5,
"Exploded View".
5. Patch wheel hub lock nut with a piece of wood. Hammer the
wood to disengage wheel hub and bearing assembly from drive
shaft. Take out the wheel hub lock nut and spring washer.
CAUTION:
• Never place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle. Also be
careful not to overextend slide joint.
• Never allow drive shaft to hang down without support for JPDIG0121ZZ

counterpart such as joint sub-assembly, and other parts.

NOTE:
Using a suitable puller if the wheel hub and bearing assembly and drive shaft cannot be separated even
after performing the above procedure.
6. Remove mounting bolts between side flange and drive shaft.
INSTALLATION

Revision: 2013 February RAX-10 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
Note the following, and install in the reverse order of removal.
• Clean the matching surface of wheel hub lock nut and wheel hub and bearing assembly. A
CAUTION:
Never apply lubricating oil to these matching surface.
• Clean the matching surface of drive shaft and wheel hub and bear-
B
ing assembly. And then apply paste [service parts (440037S000)]
to surface (A) of joint sub-assembly of drive shaft.
CAUTION:
Apply paste to cover entire flat surface of joint sub-assembly C
of drive shaft.

Amount paste 1.0 – 3.0 g (0.04 – 0.10 oz) RAX

• When installing drive shaft, change the drive shaft and wheel hub
and bearing assembly matching marks put at the removal step by
180 degree. JPDIG0122ZZ
E
• Use the following torque range for tightening the wheel hub lock
nut.

: 100 – 105 N·m (10 – 11 kg-m, 74 – 77 ft-lb) F

CAUTION:
• Since the drive shaft is assembled by press-fitting, use the tightening torque range for the wheel G
hub lock nut.
• Be sure to use torque wrench to tighten the wheel hub lock nut. Never use a power tool.
NOTE:
H
Wheel hub lock nut tightening torque does not over torque for avoiding axle noise, and does not less than
torque for avoiding looseness.
• Perform the final tightening of each of parts under unladen conditions, which were removed when removing
wheel hub and bearing assembly and axle housing. I
• When installing the spring washer, face the identification paint mark to the wheel hub and bearing assembly
side.
• When installing the adjusting cap, check that there must be no play. J
• Never reuse cotter pin, wheel hub lock nut, and spring washer.
Disassembly and Assembly INFOID:0000000007464050

K
DISASSEMBLY
Rear Final Drive Side
L
1. Fix shaft with a vise.
CAUTION:
Protect shaft when fixing with a vise using aluminum or copper plates.
2. Remove boot bands, and then remove boot from housing. M
3. Put matching marks on housing and shaft.
CAUTION:
Use paint or similar substance for matching marks. Never scratch the surface. N
4. Remove stopper ring with suitable tool, and pull out housing.
5. Put matching marks on ball cage/steel ball/inner race assembly
and shaft. O
CAUTION:
Use paint or similar substance for matching marks. Never
scratch the surface. P

SRA249A

Revision: 2013 February RAX-11 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
6. Remove snap ring, then remove ball cage/steel ball/inner race
assembly from shaft.
7. Remove boot from shaft.

SFA514A

Wheel Side
1. Remove dust shield from drive shaft.
2. Fix shaft with a vise.
CAUTION:
Protect shaft when fixing with a vise using aluminum or copper plates.
3. Remove boot bands. Then remove boot from joint sub-assembly.
4. Screw the drive shaft puller (A) 30 mm (1.18 in) or more into the
thread of joint sub-assembly, and pull joint sub-assembly with a
sliding hammer (B) from 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 directory.
5. Remove circular clip from shaft.
6. Remove boot from shaft. JPDIF0015ZZ

ASSEMBLY
Rear Final Drive Side
1. Remove old grease on housing with paper paste.
2. Install new boot and boot band to shaft.
CAUTION:
• Wrap serrated part of shaft with tape to protect from damage.
• Never reuse boot and boot band.
3. Remove the tape wrapped around the serrated on shaft.

4. Install ball cage/steel ball/inner race assembly (1) to shaft (2),

and secure them tightly with a snap ring (3).
CAUTION:
Never reuse snap ring.
NOTE:
Align matching marks painted when ball cage/steel ball/inner
race assembly were removed.
5. Apply the appropriate amount of grease onto housing and slid
surface.
NOTE:
Align matching marks painted when housing were removed. JPDIG0004ZZ

Standard
Grease amount : Refer to RAX-16, "Drive
Shaft".
6. Install stopper ring to housing.
7. After installed, pull shaft to check engagement between housing and stopper ring.

Revision: 2013 February RAX-12 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
8. Install boot securely into grooves (indicated by “*” marks) shown
in the figure. A
CAUTION:
If there is grease on boot mounting surfaces (indicated by
“*” marks) of shaft or housing, boot may come off. Remove
B
all grease from the surfaces.
9. To prevent the deformation of the boot, adjust the boot installa-
tion length (L) to the value shown below by inserting the suitable
tool into the inside of boot from the large diameter side of boot C
and discharging inside air.
JPDIF0223ZZ

Standard RAX
Boots installed : Refer to RAX-16, "Drive
length (L) Shaft".
E
CAUTION:
• If the boot installation length is outside the standard, it may cause breakage of boot.
• Be careful not to touch the inside of the boot with the tip of tool.
10. Install new boot bands securely. F
CAUTION:
Never reuse boot band.
a. For one-touch clamp band G
i. Secure large and small ends of boot with new boot bands as
shown in the figure.
H

J
PDIA1188J

b. For low profile type band K

i. Put boot band in the groove on drive shaft boot. Then fit pawls
( ) into holes to temporary installation.
NOTE: L
For the large diameter side, fit projection (A) and guide slit (B) at
first.
M

N
SDIA3557E

ii. Pinch projection on the band with suitable pliers to tighten band. O
iii. Insert tip of band below end of the pawl.

SDIA3558E

Revision: 2013 February RAX-13 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
11. Secure housing and shaft, and then make sure that they are in the correct position when rotating boot.
Install them with new boot band when the mounting positions become incorrect.
Wheel Side
1. Clean old grease on joint sub-assembly with paper waste.
2. Apply the specified amount of grease into joint sub-assembly serration hole until grease begins to ooze
from ball groove and serration hole.
CAUTION:
After applying grease, use a paper waste to wipe off old grease that has oozed out.
3. Install new boot and boot band to shaft.
CAUTION:
• Wrap serrated part of shaft with tape to protect from damage.
• Never reuse boot and boot band.
4. Remove the tape wrapped around the serrated on shaft.
5. Position circular clip on groove at the shaft edge.
CAUTION:
Never reuse circular clip.
NOTE:
Drive joint inserter is recommended when installing circular clip.
6. Align both center axles of the shaft edge and joint sub-assembly. Then assemble shaft with circular clip
joint sub-assembly.
7. Install joint sub-assembly to shaft using plastic hammer.
CAUTION:
Confirm that joint sub-assembly is correctly engaged while
rotating drive shaft.
8. Apply the balance of the specified amount of grease into the
boot inside from large diameter side of boot.

Standard
Grease amount : Refer to RAX-16, "Drive
Shaft". RAC0049D

9. Install the boot securely into grooves (indicated by “*” marks)

shown in the figure.
CAUTION:
If grease adheres to the boot mounting surface (with “*”
mark) on the shaft or housing, boot may come off. Remove
all grease from the surfaces.
10. To prevent the deformation of the boot, adjust the boot installa-
tion length (L) to the specified value shown below by inserting
the suitable tool into inside of the boot from the large diameter
side of boot and discharging the inside air.
JPDIF0222ZZ

Standard
Boots installed : Refer to RAX-16, "Drive
length (L) Shaft".
CAUTION:
• If the boot installation length is outside the standard, it may cause breakage of boot.
• Be careful not to touch the inside of the boot with the tip of tool.

Revision: 2013 February RAX-14 2012 G Sedan

 REAR DRIVE SHAFT
< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
11. Secure the large and small ends of the boot with boot bands
using the boot band crimping tool (A) [SST: KV40107300 ( − A
)].

PDIA1187J

RAX
NOTE:
Secure boot band so that dimension (M) meets the specification
as shown in the figure. E

Dimension “M” : 1.0 – 4.0 mm (0.039 – 0.157 in)

12. Secure joint sub-assembly and shaft, and then make sure that F
they are in the correct position when rotating boot. Install them
with boot band when boot installation positions become incor-
rect. G
13. Install dust shield to drive shaft.
DSF0047D

H
Inspection INFOID:0000000007464051

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL I

• Move joint up/down, left/right, and in the axial direction. Check for any rough movement or significant loose-
ness.
• Check boot for cracks or other damage, and also for grease leak-
age. J
• If a malfunction is found, disassemble drive shaft, and then replace
with new one.
K

RAA0030D
M

Revision: 2013 February RAX-15 2012 G Sedan

 SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)
< SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)
Wheel Bearing INFOID:0000000007464052

Item Standard
Axial end play 0.05 mm (0.002 in) or less

Drive Shaft INFOID:0000000007464053

Item Standard
Joint Wheel side Final drive side
Grease quantity 110 – 120 g (3.38 – 4.23 oz) 124 – 134 g (4.37 – 4.73 oz)
Boots installed length 150.68 mm (5.93 in) 155 mm (6.10 in)

Revision: 2013 February RAX-16 2012 G Sedan