Reduction Pinion Gear Bearing Preload

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Nissan Quest. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove transaxle case and final drive assembly from converter housing.
Select proper thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim using the following procedures.
1. Place reduction pinion gear on transaxle case as shown.
  
  Fig 1: Installing Reduction Pinion Gear
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Place idler gear bearing on transaxle case.
3. Measure dimensions "B" "C" and "D" and calculate dimension "A".
  
  Fig 2: Measuring Dimensions B, C And D
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  
  A = D - (B + C)
  
  "A": Distance between the surface of idler gear bearing inner race and the adjusting shim mating surface of reduction pinion gear .
  - Measure dimension "B" between the end of reduction pinion gear and the surface of transaxle case.
    
    Fig 3: Measuring Dimension B
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "B" in at least two places .
  - Measure dimension "C" between the surface of idler gear bearing inner race and the surface of transaxle case.
    
    Fig 4: Measuring Dimension C
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "C" in at least two places .
  - Measure dimension "D" between the end of reduction pinion gear and the adjusting shim mating surface of reduction pinion gear.
    
    Fig 5: Measuring Dimension D
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "D" in at least two places .
  - Calculate dimension "A".
    A = D - (B + C)
4. Measure dimension "E" between the end of idler gear and the idler gear bearing inner race mating surface of idler gear.
  
  Fig 6: Measuring Dimension E
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "E" in at least two places.
5. Select proper thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim.
  Proper shim thickness = A - E - 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)* (*: Bearing preload)
  
  Reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim: Refer to " REDUCTION PINION GEAR BEARING ADJUSTING SHIMS " .
Install reduction gear and reduction gear bearing adjusting shim selected in step 2-e on transaxle case.

Fig 7: Installing Reduction Gear And Reduction Gear Bearing Adjusting Shim
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Press idler gear bearing inner race on idler gear.
Press idler gear on reduction gear.
CAUTION: Press idler gear until idler gear fully contacts adjusting shim.
Tighten idler gear lock nut to the specified torque. Refer to "OVERHAUL ".

Fig 8: Tightening Idler Gear Lock Nut
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

CAUTION: Lock idler gear with parking pawl when tightening lock nut.
Measure turning torque of reduction pinion gear.

Fig 9: Measuring Turning Torque
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- When measuring turning torque, turn reduction pinion gear in both directions several times to seat bearing rollers correctly.
  Turning torque of reduction pinion gear: 0.05 - 0.39 N-m (0.5 - 4.0 kg-cm, 0.43 - 3.47 in-lb)
- If turning torque is out of specification, decrease or increase thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim.
After properly adjusting turning torque, clinch idler gear lock nut as shown.

Fig 10: Clinching Idler Gear Lock Nut
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.