Reduction Pinion Gear Bearing Preload

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

Be sure to remove final drive assembly before doing this procedure.
Using caliper and straightedge, calculate a dimension "T" (adjuster shim thickness) using the following formula. Adjust the inspection standard for preload (rotating slide torque) as shown below.
1. T = A - E
2. Inspection standard for preload: 0.1 - 0.69 N.m (1.1 - 7.0 kg-cm, 0.95 - 6.08 in-lb)
Fig 1: Identifying Adjuster Shim Thickness
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Remove transmission 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 transmission case as shown.
  
  Fig 2: Placing Reduction Pinion Gear On Transmission Case
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Place idler gear bearing on transmission case.
3. Measure dimensions "B", "C" and "D" and calculate dimension "A".
  1. A = D - (B + C)
  2. "A": Distance between the surface of idler gear bearing inner race and the adjusting shim mating surface of reduction pinion gear.
    
    Fig 3: Identifying Distance Between Idler Gear Bearing Inner Race Surface And Adjusting Shim Mating Surface Of Reduction Pinion Gear
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "B" between the end of reduction pinion gear and the surface of transmission case.
  - Measure dimension "B" in at least two places.
    
    Fig 4: Measuring Dimension Between End Of Reduction Pinion Gear And Surface Of Transmission Case
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "C" between the surface of idler gear bearing inner race and the surface of transmission case.
  - Measure dimension "C" in at least two places.
    
    Fig 5: Measuring Dimension Between Surface Of Idler Gear Bearing Inner Race And Surface Of Transmission Case
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "D" between the end of reduction pinion gear and the adjusting shim mating surface of reduction pinion gear.
  - Measure dimension "D" in at least two places.
  - Calculate dimension "A".
    A = D - (B + C)
    
    Fig 6: Measuring Dimension Between End Of Reduction Pinion Gear And Adjusting Shim Mating Surface Of Reduction Pinion Gear
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
4. Measure dimension "E" between the end of idler gear and the idler gear bearing inner race mating surface of idler gear.
  - Measure dimension "E" in at least two places.
5. Calculate "T" and select proper thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim using SDS table as a guide.
  1. Bearing preload - T = A - E - 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)
  2. Reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim: Refer to "REDUCTION PINION GEAR BEARING ADJUSTING SHIMS ".
    
    Fig 7: Measuring Dimension Between End Of Idler Gear And Idler Gear Bearing Inner Race Mating Surface Of Idler Gear
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install reduction pinion gear and reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim selected in step 2-e on transmission case using Tool.
Press idler gear bearing inner race on idler gear.
Press idler gear on reduction pinion gear.
- Press idler gear so that idler gear can be locked by parking pawl.
Fig 8: Installing Reduction Pinion Gear And Reduction Pinion Gear Bearing Adjusting Shim
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Tighten idler gear lock nut to the specified torque.
- Lock idler gear with parking pawl when tightening lock nut.
Fig 9: Identifying Tightening Torque Of Idler Gear Lock Nut
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Measure turning torque of reduction pinion gear.
- When measuring turning torque, turn reduction pinion gear in both directions several times to seat bearing rollers correctly.
1. Turning torque of reduction pinion gear: 0.1 - 0.69 N.m (1.1 - 7.0 kg-cm, 0.95 - 6.08 in-lb)
Fig 10: Measuring Turning Torque Of Reduction Pinion Gear And Tightening Torques
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.