Inspection After Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Nissan Maxima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Shaft

Check shaft for runout, cracks, or other damage. Replace entire drive shaft if necessary.

Joint Sub-Assembly

Make sure there is no rough rotation or unusual axial looseness.
Make sure there is no foreign material inside joint sub-assembly.
Check joint sub-assembly for compression scars, cracks or fractures.
CAUTION: If there are any irregular conditions of joint sub-assembly components, replace the entire joint sub-assembly.

Housing

Make sure there are no compression scars, cracks or fractures or unusual wear of ball rolling surface.
Make sure there is no damage to shaft screws.
Make sure there is no deformation of boot installation parts.

Ball Cage

Make sure there are no compression scars, cracks, or fractures of sliding surface.

Steel Ball

Make sure there are no compression scars, cracks, fractures or unusual wear.

Inner Race

Check ball sliding surface for compression scars, cracks or fractures.
Make sure there is no damage to serrated part.
CAUTION: If there are any irregular conditions in the component, replace entire front drive shaft.