2007 NISSAN 350Z differential

RFD-44
REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
DISASSEMBLY
Differential Assembly
1. Drain gear oil, if necessary.
2. Remove side flange.
3. Remove rear cover mounting bolts.
4. Remove rear cover to insert the seal cutter between gear carrier
and rear cover.
CAUTION:

Be careful not to damage the mating surface.

Do not insert flat-bladed screwdriver, this way damage
the mating surface.
5. Using two 45 mm (1.77 in) spacers, mount carrier on the attach-
ment.
6. For proper reinstallation, paint matching marks on one side of
the bearing cap.
CAUTION:

For matching marks, use paint. Do not damage bearing
caps and gear carrier.

Bearing caps are line-board during manufacture. The
matching marks are used to reinstall them in their origi-
nal positions.
7. Remove bearing caps.Tool number : KV10111100 (J-37228)
PDIA0491E
Tool number : KV38100800 (J-25604-01)
SPD888
PDIA0069E
S-PD343

REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
RFD-45
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
8. Lift differential case assembly out with a suitable tool.

Keep side bearing outer races together with inner race. Do
not mix them up.
Also, keep side bearing adjusting washers together with bear-
ings.
9. Remove side bearing inner race.
To prevent damage to bearing, engage puller jaws in groove.
CAUTION:

To prevent damage to the side bearing and drive gear,
place copper plates between these parts and vise.

It is not necessary to remove side bearing inner race
except it is replaced.
10. For proper reinstallation, paint matching marks on one differen-
tial case assembly.
CAUTION:
For matching marks, use paint. Do not damage differential
case and drive gear.
11. Remove drive gear mounting bolts.
12. Tap drive gear off differential case assembly with a soft hammer.
CAUTION:
Tap evenly all around to keep drive gear from bending.
PDIA0547E
SPD919
Tool number A: ST33051001 (J-22888-20)
B: ST33061000 (J-8107-2)
PDIA0639E
PDIA0496E

RFD-46
REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
13. Put matching marks with paint.
14. Loosen screws on differential cases A and B.
15. Separate differential case A and B, then remove viscous cou-
pling, pinion mate gear, pinion mate thrust washer, side gear
and side gear thrust washer from differential cases.
Drive Pinion Assembly
1. Remove differential assembly. Refer to RFD-44, "Differential Assembly" .
2. Remove drive pinion lock nut with the flange wrench.
PDIA0640E
SDIA0189J
PDIA0642E
Tool number : KV40104000 ( — )
SDIA1144E

RFD-48
REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY
Clean up the disassembled parts. Then, inspect if the parts are worn or damaged. If so, follow the measures
below.
ADJUSTMENT AND SELECTION OF ADJUSTING WASHERS
Differential Side Gear Clearance

Assemble the differential parts if they are disassembled. Refer to RFD-44, "Differential Assembly" .
1. Place differential assembly so that right side gear is on the upper side.
2. Measure the clearance between right side gear back and differ-
ential case using feeler gauge, while rotating right side gear with
a suitable tool attached to splines.
CAUTION:

Do not place feeler gauge at groove side of differential
case.

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.
Refer to RFD-60, "
Side Gear Thrust Washer" .
CAUTION:

Adjust the clearance with the left side gear thrust washer only.

Only one side gear thrust washer can be selected.
Content Conditions and Measures
Hypoid gear

If the gear teeth do not mesh or line-up correctly, determine the cause and adjust or replace as nec-
essary.

If the gears are worn, cracked, damaged, pitted or chipped (by friction) noticeably, replace with new
drive gear and drive pinion as a set.
Bearing

If any chipped (by friction), pitted, worn, rusted or scratched mark, or unusual noise from the bearing
is observed, replace as a bearing assembly (as a new set).
Side gear and Pinion mate
gear

If any cracks or damage on the surface of the tooth is found, replace.

If any worn or chipped mark on the contact sides of the thrust washer is found, replace.
Side gear thrust washer and
pinion mate thrust washer

If it is chipped (by friction), damaged, or unusually worn, replace.
Oil seal

Whenever disassembled, replace.

If wear, deterioration of adherence (sealing force lips), or damage is detected on the lips, replace
them.
Differential case

If any wear or crack on the contact sides of the differential case is found, replace.
Companion flange

If any chipped mark (about 0.1 mm, 0.004 in) or other damage on the contact sides of the lips of the
companion flange is found, replace.
Side gear back clearance specification:
0.15 mm (0.0059 in) or less.
(Each gear should rotate smoothly without excessive
resistance during differential motion.)
When the back clearance is large:
Use a thicker thrust washer.
When the back clearance is small:
Use a thinner thrust washer.
PDIA0641E

REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
RFD-49
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
Side Bearing Preload

Selecting carrier side bearing adjusting washers is required for successful completion of this procedure.
1. Make sure all parts are clean. Also, make sure the bearings are
well lubricated with gear oil.
2. Place the differential case, with side bearings and bearing races
installed, into gear carrier.
3. Insert left and right original side bearing adjusting washers in
place between side bearings and gear carrier.
4. Install bearing caps in their correct locations and tighten bearing
cap mounting bolts to the specified torque. Refer to RFD-55,
"Differential Assembly" .
5. Turn the carrier several times to seat the bearings.
6. Measure the turning torque of the carrier at the drive gear
mounting bolts with a spring gauge.
SPD919
SPD924
PDIA0069E
Tool number : — (J-8129)
Specification:
34.2 – 39.2 N (3.5 – 4.0 kg, 7.7 – 8.8 lb) of pulling
force at the drive gear bolt
SPD194A

RFD-50
REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
7. If the turning torque is outside the specification, use a thicker/
thinner side bearing adjusting washer to adjust. Refer to RFD-
60, "Side Bearing Adjusting Washer" .
CAUTION:
Select a side bearing adjusting washer for right and left
individually.
8. Record the total amount of washer thickness required for the correct carrier side bearing preload.
Pinion Gear Height
1. Make sure all parts are clean and that the bearings are well
lubricated.
2. Assemble the pinion gear bearings into the differential shim
selector tool.

Pinion front bearing; make sure the J-34309-3 pinion front
bearing seat is secured tightly against the J-34309-2 gauge
anvil. Then turn the pinion front bearing pilot, J-34309-5, to
secure the bearing in its proper position.

Pinion rear bearing; the pinion rear bearing pilot, J-34309-8,
is used to center the pinion rear bearing only. The pinion rear
bearing locking seat, J-34309-4, is used to lock the bearing to
the assembly.

Installation of J-34309-9 and J-34309-16; place a suitable
2.5 mm (0.098 in) thick plain washer between J-34309-9 and
J-34309-16. Both surfaces of J-34309-9 and J-34309-16 must
be parallel with a clearance of 2.5 mm (0.098 in).
3. Install the pinion rear bearing inner race into gear carrier. Then
place the pinion preload shim selector tool, J-34309-1, gauge
screw assembly.If the turning torque is less than the specified range:
Use a thicker thrust washer.
If the turning torque is greater than the specification:
Use a thinner thrust washer.
SPD772
Tool number : — (J-34309)
SPD769
SPD197A
SPD893

REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
RFD-53
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
13. Remove the J-34309 differential shim selector tool from the final
drive housing. Then disassemble to retrieve the pinion bearings.
ASSEMBLY
Drive Pinion Assembly
1. Install front and rear bearing outer races using drifts.
CAUTION:

At first, using a hammer, tap bearing outer race until it
becomes flat to gear carrier.

Do not reuse pinion front and rear bearing outer race.
2. Select drive pinion height adjusting washer. Refer to RFD-50,
"Pinion Gear Height" .
3. Install selected drive pinion height adjusting washer to drive pin-
ion. Press pinion rear bearing inner race to it, using drift.
CAUTION:

Pay attention to the direction of pinion height adjusting
washer. (Assemble as shown in the figure.)

Do not reuse pinion rear bearing inner race.
SPD205A
Tool number A: ST30720000 (J-25405)
B: KV40105230 ( — )
C: ST30611000 (J-25742-1)
D: ST30613000 (J-25742-3)
PDIA0562E
Tool number : ST30901000 (J-26010-01)
SDIA0048E

REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
RFD-55
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
10. Apply anti-corrosion oil to the thread and seat of drive pinion
lock nut, and temporarily tighten drive pinion lock nut to drive
pinion.
CAUTION:
Do not reuse drive pinion lock nut.
11. Adjust to the drive pinion lock nut tightening torque and pinion
bearing preload torque.
CAUTION:

Adjust to the lower limit of the drive pinion lock nut tight-
ening torque first.

If the preload torque exceeds the specified value, replace
collapsible spacer and tighten it again to adjust. Do not
loosen drive pinion lock nut to adjust the preload torque.

After adjustment, rotate drive pinion back and forth 2 to 3 times to check for unusual noise, rota-
tion malfunction, and other malfunctions.
12. Install differential case assembly. Refer to RFD-44, "
Differential Assembly" .
CAUTION:
Do not install rear cover yet.
13. Check and adjust drive gear runout, tooth contact, drive gear to drive pinion backlash, and companion
flange runout. Refer to RFD-40, "
Drive Gear Runout" , RFD-41, "Tooth Contact" , RFD-42, "Backlash" and
RFD-43, "
Companion Flange Runout" .
Recheck above items. Readjust the above description, if necessary.
14. Check total preload torque. Refer to RFD-40, "
Total Preload Torque" .
15. Install rear cover. Refer toRFD-44, "
Differential Assembly" .
Differential Assembly
1. Install side gear thrust washer with the same thickness as the
ones installed prior to disassembly or reinstall the old ones on
the side gear.Tool number A: KV40104000 ( — )
B: ST3127S000 (J-25765-A)
Drive pinion lock nut tightening torque:
147 – 323 N·m (15 – 32 kg-m, 109 – 238 ft-lb)
Drive pinion bearing preload:
2.65 – 3.23 N·m (0.27 – 0.32 kg-m, 24 – 28 in-lb)
PDIA0636E
SDIA0196J