98 Pathfinder RWD Driveshaft Support

[Leo1998]

Has anyone replaced one of these before? The rubber housing on mine is torn open and I'm afraid the bearing is shot. http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/drives ... inder.html Thanks!

[rgk]

I have not, but here is the procedure according to my trusty Haynes manual:

1.Mark the relationship of the driveshaft to the front companion flange, then unbolt the center u-joint.
2. Unstake the flange retaining nut and remove it. A strap wrench or flange holding tool can be used to prevent the shaft from turning.
3. Mark the relationship of the front shaft to the flange.
4. Remove the flange from the intermediate shaft.
5. Remove the center bearing from the intermediate shaft. This may require a hydraulic press.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal. When installing the bearing on the front portion of the shaft, make sure the "F" mark on the bearing faces the front of the vehicle.
7. Tighten the flange retaining nut from 181 to 216 ft. lbs., then stake the collar of the nut into the groove in the shaft.

[4xq]

181 to 216 ft. lbs.

Ouch! Thats something for the impact wrench.

I think you just about qualified as an official Nissan Mechanic Leo!

[Leo1998]

I replaced my bank 1 upstream O2 sensor today, hell yeah I can do that! Hahaha... Well maybe its not even the problem. What does this mean? rarely breaks? and this is a quote off the webpage that sells the part.

On some vehicles, the driveshaft is made up of two pieces and is held in the middle by a Nissan Pathfinder Driveshaft Support at the middle of the vehicle. When your bearing is dysfunctional, the Nissan Pathfinder Driveshaft Support will need to be removed and replaced. Your Nissan Pathfinder Driveshaft Support will rarely break, however the device should be removed from your vehicle if you rebuild the driveshaft. The car's Nissan Pathfinder Driveshaft Support helps support the backside section of a driveshaft just before it attaches to the vehicle's rear differential.

Edit: So are they talking about the support being, what the bearing sits in?

[Leo1998]

@rgk, thank you for the information and the time it took you to relay to me. I will take a Haynes manual over a Chilton every time!

[rgk]

No prob, glad to help.

The part is called the 'driveshaft center support bearing.' It is the bearing that sits atop, and is bolted to, the crossmember. Only two-piece driveshafts are equipped with it. Their wording is confusing, but they are talking about the bearing assembly itself, and not the crossmember.

What makes you think the bearing is shot? Is it grinding?

[Leo1998]

Well not sure if it is the bearing now that you said grinding...lol No its more of when you take off from a stop there's a CLUNK! like sloppy play in the u-joints maybe? It has slowly gotten worse and now it bugs me. She has 121k miles. What do you think?

[rgk]

Yep, I'd start by inspecting the u-joint. Raise the rear wheels, put the trans in neutral, and spin the shaft by hand.

Also, you can put the trans in drive and have an assistant tap the gas while you watch and listen to the shaft. Make sure you are in rear wheel drive and always place the car up on jack stands