VQ40DE: Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

Final Drive Side

1. Mount the drive shaft in a vise.
   CAUTION: When mounting the drive shaft in a vise, use copper or aluminum plates between the vise and the drive shaft.
2. Remove boot bands and slide the boot back.
3. Put matching marks on housing and shaft before separating joint assembly.
   CAUTION: Use paint or similar substance for matching marks. Do not scratch the surfaces.
4. Remove the stopper ring with a suitable tool as shown in illustration below, and pull the housing off.
   Fig 1: Removing Stopper Ring Using Tool

   Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
5. Remove the snap ring, then remove the ball cage, steel ball, inner race assembly from the shaft.
6. Remove the boot from the shaft.
7. Remove circlip and dust cover from housing.
8. Clean the old grease off of the housing using paper towels.
   Fig 2: Removing Snap Ring

   Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Wheel Side

1. Mount the drive shaft in a vise.
   CAUTION: When mounting the drive shaft in a vise, use copper or aluminum plates between the vise and the drive shaft.
2. Remove the boot bands and slide the boot back.
3. Screw a sliding hammer or suitable tool 30 mm (1.18 in) or more into threaded part of joint sub-assembly. Pull joint sub-assembly off of shaft as shown in illustration below.
   NOTE: Align the sliding hammer and shaft and remove the joint subassembly by pulling directly.
   CAUTION:

   • If the joint sub-assembly cannot be removed after five or more unsuccessful attempts, replace the entire drive shaft assembly.
   Fig 3: Pulling Joint Sub-Assembly Off Of Shaft Using Tool

   Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove boot from the shaft.
5. Remove circlip from the shaft.
6. While rotating the ball cage, clean the old grease off of the joint sub-assembly using paper towels.