Propeller Shaft?

[Towncivilian]

Unless some of your front suspension components have been replaced with aftermarket greaseable parts, the driveshaft(s) are the only grease fittings from the factory on R50s.

[donald]

I'll eat a couple of my words, because while there's only one grease fitting for the '04, there are more for the '99.

Maintenance section of FSM for '99 -- see page MA-24. Can be as many as six fittings. No mention of any other grease fittings in this chapter.
Maintenance section of FSM for 2000 -- see page MA-26. Only one fitting. No mention of any other grease fittings in this chapter.

Best bet is to check the maintenance chapter of the FSM specific to your year. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pathfinder/

another question...

why is it that the rear propeller shaft on a RWD/2WD has grease points, but the 4WD does not?
The 2000 and prior years seem to grease the u-joints; ok fine, 2001+ maybe "updated" (good thing?) the u-joints to be non-serviceable.

I know I have a QX4 and there is no RWD/2WD version for me, but for those 2001+ Pathfinders with the RWD model, they still have 1 grease point for the RWD/2WD.

I assume both grease points is to grease the slip-yoke. My other question is why didn't Nissan/Infiniti use the same rear propeller for 2WD and 4WD models?

[Towncivilian]

I always thought that was a typo, and that 4WD Pathfinders had grease fittings on both driveshafts. Is this untrue?

Greaseable parts aren't always better. Often "sealed" parts tend to have less failure (or at least a longer time until failure) of seals compared to the greaseable parts. Some failures of greaseable components might even be attributed to user error if they overgrease the part and "burp" the seal.

[donald]

For me it is untrue. When I was underneath my rig, I only found a zerk fitting on the front propeller shaft. (with no intention of sounding erotic) I ran my hand around the rear propeller shaft and found no serviceable point.

Not that it matters now, but my sibling had a '02 Pathfinder 4WD and I should have checked it. But he sold it :\

[Towncivilian]

Hmm, odd. I'm unaware of any reason why the main driveshafts would need to be any different between the 2WD and 4WD models. I will have to update the general info thread to reflect this.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Hmm, odd. I'm unaware of any reason why the main driveshafts would need to be any different between the 2WD and 4WD models. I will have to update the general info thread to reflect this.

Perhaps because the transfer case on the 4x4 requires a shorter drive shaft?

Chuck

[donald]

it's called a slip yoke and you're NEVER supposed to keep greasing until you see the old grease come out.

Sorry to raise a pretty well rested thread... but what happens if one does unexpectedly pump the grease gun until grease starts coming out of the rubber seal?

And yes this is exactly what I did tonight
For some reason I thought I was supposed to pump the grease gun until I saw grease seep from the zerk fitting connection. Unfortunately, I failed to realize that it only takes a few pumps of the grease gun to properly grease.

[Towncivilian]

It should be alright, the excess will sling away eventually.