Assembly Inspection And Adjustment: Backlash

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Nissan Armada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fit a dial indicator to the drive gear face to measure the backlash.
Backlash: 0.12 - 0.20 mm (0.0050 - 0.0078 in)

Fig 1: Measuring Drive Gear Backlash Using Dial Indicator
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- If the backlash is outside of the specification, adjust each side bearing adjuster.
  If the backlash is greater than specification:
  
  Loosen side bearing adjuster A and tighten side bearing adjuster B by the same amount .
  
  If the backlash is less than specification:
  
  Loosen side bearing adjuster B and tighten side bearing adjuster A by the same amount .
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Side Bearing Adjusters
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  
  CAUTION: Do not change the side bearing adjusters by different amounts as it will change the side bearing preload torque.