1984 Other Nissan Models Pinion

JOHNMURPHY33161

MEMBER
1984 NISSAN
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
180,000 MILES

Removed drive train to replace worn u joints. When I removed the shaft at the rear, I noticed I had side to side play when turning the pinion flange. Just over a quarter inch before it "hit". Is this normal? My book mentions (when replacing the pinion seal) to "tighten the pinion nut until there is no axial play". Does this mean in and out play or side to side? It does not look like the repair parts, if necessary, are available to us shadetrees. Does this sound like an upcoming differential replacement?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi JohnMurphy33161,

Thank you for the donation.

1/4 inch free play is not much for such an aged vehicle and as long as there is no clunking or other abnormal noise when driving, you should not be overly worried.

There should be no side to side play after the flange is tightened. This would also eliminate any in or out play, unless theres is something wrong with the bearings or housing.

Considering the year of the vehicle, apart fomr the barings and seals other parts such as gears should not be easy to source.