2004 Frontier Rear Diff

[hires2002]

Can someone please help!!! I have a 2004 Frontier with a 2.4l / 5 Speed Manual combo. It's a 2wd and the rear end is making noise like it needs rebuilt or replaced. The problem is the Nissan dealership says they discontinued it. The axle code on it is CA39. I don't really know what to look for to rebuild it. The mechanic that did my transmission said he couldn't find a rear end either, but if I could find a rebuild kit he could suggest a guy to do the work. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you guys!

[macgiver]

If you hav'nt yet completely eliminated driveshaft & U-joints ahead of the Diff. , I believe it "be best" to witness or better yet do yourself up on stands/lift - assessing d-shaft , joints and Pinion "play" , and then refill Diff with the "heaviest (within reason,of course) axle fluid" . Say blend in the 95w or better yet straight 140w Valv. or Castrol. Now drive it around , listen . This with any other tests & checks you can think of while "raised" -by all means. This is initially much better than "plunking down" big $$$$ on assumptions .eh? But maybe you've done this?? Good luck mac 2/18/2018

[hires2002]

Thanks for the reply. The shop that did my transmission said when they drove it after, they noticed it so they raised it up to check it out. He said he had heard of people putting sawdust in it to quiet it down, but he said it probably needed replaced. The truck has almost 200,000 miles on it, and I don't have the means to do work like that myself. I'm trying to find a rebuild kit so they can fix it, but I don't exactly know what to look for. But all the help from you guys will help. Thanks a bunch.

[Desert Rat]

Should be an easy axle to find in the yards.

2wd D22s came with either that axle (C200) or the smaller H190. The 39 indicates 3.90 gearing. The good thing is you could bolt in an H190 to replace it and it should be a direct bolt in. Look for any 2wd (not desert runner or crew cab) from 1998-2004...a complete rear end shouldn't be more than $150-200 from a yard and it takes about 3 hours to fully swap out the axle if you really take your time. I could do it in about an hour myself.

[Desert Rat]

BTW, to identify axles, a C200 has a removable rear cover. H190 has a drop out 3rd member. Both are plenty strong for your 4 banger and both came in these trucks.

[hires2002]

Thanks for the help. I got the rear fixed, so again thanks to everyone for the advice!