Front differential blows - Page 2

RangerNewbie · 01-15-2007, 02:44 PM

If the pinion nut backed off- it would allow the pinion to dig into the carrier and then kick back out.

I can't say I've ever seen a case crack open like that before- very strange!

bestatchess · 01-15-2007, 08:10 PM

You could always trade it for an Xterra:

http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic....er=asc&start=0

trkconvert · 01-15-2007, 11:28 PM

Now a bigger question is there a way to prevent such failures. It does sound alarming not to be able to use 4WD when you need it for fear it may blow the diff, the axles will pop out etc. I would love to know if there is an aftermarket solution to the problem.

bestatchess · 01-16-2007, 06:39 AM

It would be nice if people would get more detailed info from the tech regarding these failures. W/O knowing the cause(s) it is difficult to think about a fix. If the housing is just weak, that is a big problem. If some internal component is weak, an aftermarket fix might happen.

Herbpov · 01-16-2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkconvert

Now a bigger question is there a way to prevent such failures. It does sound alarming not to be able to use 4WD when you need it for fear it may blow the diff, the axles will pop out etc. I would love to know if there is an aftermarket solution to the problem.

There should be a Nissan solution to the problem. Why should we be paying to fix what Nissan should be fixing. First the rear, now the front.

spyderwebb · 01-16-2007, 08:01 AM

I'll be sure and provide the details, at least according to the service manager at Nissan, once they break this thing down and determine more accurately what may have caused it. I would expect as guarded service managers go, they won't do any finger pointing at the manufactuer, but maybe in this scenario he will have no choice but to blame Nissan for a design flaw.

I have heard it takes literally hundreds of cases for an auto company to consider a problem to be a design flaw, like the brake rotors being to thin and subsequently warping.

PRJ · 01-16-2007, 11:44 AM

Can someone explain why you shouldn't use 4 x 4 and pull out someone or something in reverse?

Why is this a problem for the front differential?

trkconvert · 01-16-2007, 02:05 PM

Another issue that was mentioned on the forum is front axles popping out. Something to do with C-clips?

thclimer · 01-16-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRJ

Can someone explain why you shouldn't use 4 x 4 and pull out someone or something in reverse?

Why is this a problem for the front differential?

I believe the issues is the differential is designed to take the larger load (i.e. towing) when you are driving forward, ok to back up by yourself, just don't pull with the front and back up.

bfiii12 · 01-17-2007, 06:44 PM

This evening while I was driving home from work I switched over to 4hi coming off the highway and all my 4wd did was spin and sounded like the gears wouldn't catch. I used it not 2 hours before hand. DANG!!!

I have a call into the dealership to get it in...

spyderwebb · 01-17-2007, 09:38 PM

Let us know what the dealership tells you. I wonder if the transfer case simply didn't properly engage the front differential, or if there is a problem with the gears in the front differential.

I'm sure you were disappointed nonetheless. As rare as it is for most of us to use the 4WD, it really sucks when the occasion comes up that we can, and it fails to operate correctly.

Good Luck

bestatchess · 01-17-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderwebb

I'm sure you were disappointed nonetheless. As rare as it is for most of us to use the 4WD, it really sucks when the occasion comes up that we can, and it fails to operate correctly.

Good Luck

Yeah, the dream scenario would be to get stuck, shift into 4x4, the front diff grenades, hook the winch cable to a tree to get unstuck, then have the winch yank the Road Armor bumper off, all while the guy in the Dodge Ram is recording the video.

bfiii12 · 01-18-2007, 02:25 PM

I just put my '04 KC 4wd Off-Road in the shop this morning. They are replacing the entire front diff. Not sure what cause it.

Herbpov · 01-20-2007, 09:55 PM

Could be caused by left front carrier bearing. Many four wheel drives have play in the bearing on the left ( driver's ) side.

bestatchess · 01-20-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbpov

Could be caused by left front carrier bearing. Many four wheel drives have play in the bearing on the left ( driver's ) side.

I started out with a bearing noise in the left front. They rebuilt the front diff. Next, it was leaking at the side seal on the front left. They replaced the seal. Next, the axle was pulling out on the front left and the diff was making some grinding noises. They replaced the front diff.