Nissan Maxima Service and Repair Manual: Front drive shaft

Removal and Installation (LH)

1. Drive shaft
2.  Cotter pin

REMOVAL

1. Remove wheel and tire using power tool. Refer to WT-60, "Adjustment".
2.  Remove wheel sensor from steering knuckle. Refer to BRC-102, "Removal and Installation - Front Wheel Sensor".

   CAUTION: Do not pull on wheel sensor harness.

3.  Remove brake hose lock plate from strut assembly.
4.  Remove brake caliper torque member bolts using power tool leaving brake hose attached, then remove disc rotor. Reposition caliper aside with wire. Refer to BR-32, "Removal and Installation of Brake Caliper and Rotor".

   NOTE: Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.

5.  Remove cotter pin, then loosen lock nut from drive shaft using power tool.
6. . Remove lower strut bolts and nuts using power tool. Refer to FSU-13, "Exploded View".
7.  Using a piece of wood and a hammer, tap on lock nut to disengage drive shaft from wheel hub.

CAUTION:

•  Do not place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle. Also be careful not to overextend slide joint.
•  Do not allow drive shaft to hang down without support.

NOTE: Use suitable puller if drive shaft cannot be separated from wheel hub and bearing assembly.

8. Remove drive shaft from transaxle assembly.

•  Use Tool (A) and sliding hammer (B) while inserting tip of tool between housing and transaxle assembly.

CAUTION: Do not place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle when removing drive shaft. Also be careful not to overextend slide joint.

Tool number (A) : KV40107500 ( - )

INSPECTION AFTER REMO

• Move joint up/down, left/right, and in axial direction. Check for any rough movement or significant looseness.
• Check boot for cracks or other damage, and for grease leakage.
• If damaged, disassemble drive shaft to verify damage, and repair or replace as necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal. Note the following:

CAUTION: Do not reuse cotter pin.

•  Install new circlip on drive shaft in the circular clip groove on transaxle side. Refer to FAX-13, "Disassembly and Assembly (LH)".
  CAUTION: Make sure the new circlip on the drive shaft is securely fastened.
•  In order to prevent damage to differential side oil seal, place Tool (A) onto oil seal before inserting drive shaft as shown. Slide drive shaft into slide joint and tap with a hammer to install securely.

Tool number (A) : KV38107900 ( - )

CAUTION: Make sure that circlip is completely engaged.

INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION

1.  Check wheel alignment. Refer to FSU-6, "Inspection and Adjustment".
2.  Adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "ADJUSTMENT OF STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEUTRAL POSITION : Special Repair Requirement".

Removal and Installation (RH)

1. Cotter pin
2.  Drive shaft
3.  Support bearing bracket

REMOVAL

1. Remove wheel and tire using power tool. Refer to WT-60, "Adjustment".
2.  Remove wheel sensor from steering knuckle. Refer to BRC-102, "Removal and Installation - Front Wheel Sensor".
   CAUTION: Do not pull on wheel sensor harness.
3.  Remove brake hose lock plate from strut assembly.
4.  Remove brake caliper torque member bolts using power tool leaving brake hose attached, then remove disc rotor. Reposition caliper aside with wire. Refer to BR-32, "Removal and Installation of Brake Caliper and Rotor".
   NOTE: Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
5.  Remove cotter pin, then loosen lock nut from drive shaft using power tool.
6.  Remove lower strut bolts and nuts using power tool. Refer to FSU-13, "Exploded View".
7.  Using a piece of wood and a hammer, tap on lock nut to disengage drive shaft from wheel hub.

CAUTION:

•  Do not place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle. Also be careful not to overextend slide joint.
•  Do not allow drive shaft to hang down without support.

NOTE: Use suitable puller if drive shaft cannot be separated from wheel hub and bearing assembly.

8. Remove bearing housing to support bearing bracket bolts.
9.  Remove drive shaft from transaxle assembly.

• Use Tool (A) and sliding hammer (B) while inserting tip of tool between housing and transaxle assembly.

CAUTION: Do not place drive shaft joint at an extreme angle when removing drive shaft. Also be careful not to overextend slide joint.

Tool number (A) : KV40107500 ( - )

10. If necessary, remove the support bearing bracket.

•  Remove front exhaust tube. Refer to EX-5, "Removal and Installation".

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

•  Move joint up/down, left/right, and in axial direction. Check for any rough movement or significant looseness.
•  Check boot for cracks or other damage, and for grease leakage.
•  If damaged, disassemble drive shaft to verify damage, and repair or replace as necessary

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal. Note the following:

CAUTION: Do not reuse cotter pin.

•  Install new circlip on drive shaft in the circular clip groove on transaxle side. Refer to FAX-19, "Disassembly and Assembly (RH)".

CAUTION: Make sure the new circlip on the drive shaft is securely fastened.

•  In order to prevent damage to differential side oil seal, place Tool (A) onto oil seal before inserting drive shaft as shown. Slide drive shaft into slide joint and tap with a hammer to install securely.

Tool number (A) : KV38107900 ( - )

CAUTION: Make sure that circlip is completely engaged.

• When installing support bearing bracket, hand tighten the bolts, then tighten to specified torque.

INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION

1.  Check wheel alignment. Refer to FSU-6, "Inspection and Adjustment".
2.  Adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "ADJUSTMENT OF STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEUTRAL POSITION : Special Repair Requirement".