Nissan 38164-VE060 Shaft Rear Axle

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To remove the drive axle-to-axle shaft flange bolts, first remove the skid plate if equipped. Then, have an assistant apply the brake while you loosen the bolts. This prevents the drive axle from turning while you work.

The rear axle assembly is a hypoid, semi-floating type which allows the outer rear wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner tire when the vehicle goes around a corner. On 4WD models, a fully independent front axle assembly is used with a differential and a pair of drive axles, each with an inner and outer constant velocity (CV) joint. An optional locking limited-slip rear axle is also available which allows for normal operation until one wheel loses traction. A limited-slip unit is similar in design to a conventional differential, except for the addition of a pair of multi-disc clutch packs which slow the rotation of the differential case when one wheel is on a firm surface and the other is on a slippery one. Often, a suspected "axle" problem lies elsewhere, so it is important to do a thorough check of other possible causes before assuming the axle is the problem. Overhauling the differential isn't cost effective for a do-it-yourselfer, so any further work should be left to a qualified repair shop.

Common symptoms of worn or damaged CV joints include a clicking noise that occurs during turns, a clunking sound when accelerating after coasting, and vibration at highway speeds.

If the bearing or bearing grease seal needs replacement, take the assembly to an automotive machine shop. They will remove the old bearing and seal and install new ones.

Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands placed under the frame rails. Block the front wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling off the stands. Remove the rear wheels, position a jack under the rear axle differential housing, disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle pinion flange, disconnect the shock absorbers at their lower mounts, disconnect the vent hose from the fitting on the axle housing and fasten it out of the way, unscrew the brake line fittings from the brake hose junction block, then unbolt the brake hose junction block from the axle housing, plug the hose to prevent fluid leakage, also disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector(s), if you're working on a Pathfinder or a 2WD Frontier model remove the brake drums and brake shoes, disconnect the parking brake cables from the actuating levers, then unbolt the cable casings from the brake backing plates, on all other models, disconnect the parking brake cables from the crank levers on the backing plates, unscrew the nuts from the spring U-bolts, remove the spring plates, on Pathfinder and Xterra models, unbolt the stabilizer bar brackets from the axle, remove the coil springs, then unbolt the suspension arms and Pan hard rod from the axle housing, lower the jack under the differential, then remove the rear axle assembly from under the vehicle, installation is the reverse of removal, tighten the U-joint strap bolts to the torque, tighten all suspension fasteners to the torque values, and bleed the brakes.

For Pathfinder models, support the front axle assembly with a floor jack placed under the differential. Then, remove the mounting bolts from the support brackets at either end of the axle/differential assembly and slowly lower the assembly to remove it from under the vehicle.