SURVEY: Front Differential Problems - Page 2

Justintoxicated · 01-31-2007, 03:13 AM

Would it help to try another dealership? I have been taking mine to Superior Nissan right off the 405, they will wash it at least :P. If you call them up ask for JD hes a good service manager and maybe explain to him the situation. But it sounds like you need to wait for that phone call. $3500 for turning a bolt WTF!

Wallrat · 01-31-2007, 05:42 AM

I don't think so. Nissan gives these field reps alot of power when it comes to making/breaking warranty claims. My guy at GG has been really cool with me but the problem is that because the rep's recomendation is on the original work order no dealership wants to go against that. If they do the work then Nissan can just deny coverage based on the rep's suggestion and the dealership is responcible for the bill.

Basically I gotta convince this guy VERY NICELY that he's a moron. Plan B is to leave the area completely and head up to Oregon.

bestatchess · 01-31-2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallrat

Basically I gotta convince this guy VERY NICELY that he's a moron.

1. Magnusson Moss Warranty act requires Nissan to demonstrate that the lift caused the failure in order to deny the warranty claim.

2. The tool marks on the bolts have absolutely nothing to do with the axle shaft popping out of the diff. (See exploded view from service manual).

3. As shown by the posts on this forum and Nissan's own records, there has been a persistent problem with the shafts popping out, in both lifted, and completely stock vehicles.

4. This is a known defect. Nissan has a redesigned differential addressing and specifically becausee of this issue.

5. Nissan has failed to carry its burden of demonstrating that the lift caused the failure. Indeed, they have not attempted any logical explanation. "The bolts have tool marks." Yeah, so? How did that cause the shafts to pop out of the differential?

BTW, I think the $3,500 is about twice the standard charge to replace the front differential.

mytitan · 02-01-2007, 12:12 AM

about 8 years ago i had a 92 toyota 4x4. downey offroad made special axles for the front due to extreme angles put on when lifted, my friend bought this kit from downey offroad which is basically bullet proof axles called slip-yoke axle shafts: see pics from their website....look under 86-95 4wd p/up

i think its for someone to make us this type of front axles....

http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...ents/index.htm

You’ve got to be absolutely sick and tired of replacing inner CV’s and axles, and tired of the drain on your cash flow. Downey’s got the remedy, we’ve combined tough Chevy Blazer “Spicer” universal joints and slip-yokes with Army Tank 4130 axle shafts. If you destroy these puppies it’ll be because the bump-stops provided with your 4” lift kit deformed (compressed), and now axle travel will exceed Spicer capabilities. That’s right, you have some responsibility in this matter. If you’re playing harder than your lift kit supplier anticipated, you’d better get some tougher bump-stop spacers made!! Our standard kit includes new 4130 axles, Spicer inner universal joints, Downey adapter flanges, outer CV boots with grease and bands, and all snap rings and mounting bolts.

43411-S Standard Kit $539.28

Wallrat · 02-01-2007, 07:29 PM

I also came up with an alternative. Once I get the diff replaced (still gotta do this since my splines are trashed), I'm gonna see if I can get Curtis or somebody to drive a pin throught the shaft in the retaining ring area. Seems like that would solve the problem. Might have to drill/tap a couple plugs on the diff housing for access to the pin during assembly/disassembly.

Wallrat · 02-21-2007, 06:02 AM

Finally an update!

Got a call back from 1800Nissan1 on Friday - they're going to warranty a one-time replacement of the front diff assembly. That works fine for me since I'm gonna void the hell out of my warranty once I start looking for an aftermarket fix to their stupid design. So I should be taking it in early next week.

shanky333 · 02-28-2007, 04:54 PM

Sorry to say yes I am now 2 rear diffs and one front failure.
Had the first decent snow in Central Pa 2 weeks ago , I was in 4hi under 20mph driving around a circle driveway just making a path for my bud to get his Beamer into that night.
After 4-5 loops I became stuck and realized my 4 wheeel drive had become disengauged.
Took it to the stealer $200.00 on a Thursday tech said the axle had slid out of the diff, no damage to either spline or gear, reinstalled with a new seal and gear oil. That Saturday in 2 wheel drive heard the notorious klunk and pulled over ASAP . Towed back to Stealer , quoted $1725.00 to replace the front dif, parts =$1495.00 I was agashed.
The Stealer tried to get some Good Will funds from Nissan they offered $125.00.
I declined and called and filled a complaint with Consumer affairs. Took 3-4 days to get an answer which was I am SOL. zilch, o Zero, Nada because I am at 74k and out of warranty.
I emailed dthe Lemon law attorney in Cali but no response.
My truck has been sitting there for 2 weeks this Saturday.
I have been searching for a builder or aftermarket w/ no luck. Found a salvage yard in Cali to ship one w/ 24k for $800.00 but got the bad news today the housing on it is cracked and it grinds.
Still looking!!!!!!!Any help / greatly appreciated.
My Truck has the PA 2.5 " leveling kit up front, had a 1" block installed in the rear leafs.
Running Goodyear MTRZ 305-70-17 z for 25k+.
Weak links in this drivetrain 4 sure.
What can we do to get Nissan's attention on this one???
I don't even feel safe anymore

shanky333 · 02-28-2007, 04:58 PM

Wallrat,
I went through the same number but they denied my request . Is your drivetrain still under the 5yr 60k warranty?

Wallrat · 03-05-2007, 09:18 AM

Yeah. I'm at 34k right now. First failure was at 28k. In my case the shaft got twisted which is why I need a new one. You might be able to find a shop to cut/install a larger circlip - might help keep the shaft in place and probably not super expensive. Make sure you file a report with the NHSTA.

BJT · 03-06-2007, 08:55 AM

Hey Guys, I'm a newbe here but I started looking at this site due to I had the pleasure of finding a puddle of diff fluid under the truck this past Sunday night March 4th. I dropped it off at the dealer on 3-5 and am awaiting the results of what they have to say. Being that I am a former Audi tech I belive I am expereincing the same problem as the rest of you. It is the driver side front stub shaft has pulled out of the axel housing. I do have a leveling kit installed that I left on when I took it in. I'll let you all know what the Dealer ship has to say. I installed the leveling kit about 2 years ago when the truck had around 4k on it. It now has just rolled over 50k and this is the first issue I had had with the truck other then the front brakes and a faulty sending unit. I hope the dealer steps up and warranties this repair because I realyy do like this truck but we'll see!

BJT

2004 Crew Cab SE 4X4 w/ leveling kit
Flowmaster exhaust
AFE stage 2 intake

rustyhook · 03-06-2007, 09:10 AM

I'm in for stub/front diff failure at 29,000 miles on 05 se ccbt. 1st delaer wont' warranty becuse of 200# plastic personal snowplow (homesteader). Nissan consumer affairs is useless. I have an appointment with another dealer this week minus snow plow parts. Cross my fingers and pray.

BJT · 03-08-2007, 08:32 AM

Well I got the truck back and they did in fact cover the repairs under the 5 year 60 k powertrain warrenty. BUT (there is always a but) they still managed to try and get me to cover part of the repair cost in a very slick way. When I took the truck in I played dumb like I don't know anyth9ing other then how to put gas in my truck. The service adviser called me up to say the c-clip had pooped off and they would fix it under warrenty. Then he advised me that my front diff fluid was dirty and they would change it for me for 60 bucks. RED FLAG!!! I then asked him that since part of the warranty repair was to R&I the front diff cover to gain acces to the c-clip they would had had to drian and refill it as part of the labor operation for that repair. There was SILENCE on the other end of the phone followed by a lot of suttering! Worse yet even after I busted him for that he then told me that my transcooler line was leaking and that they could replace that for x amount of dollars! I then gave him the info listed in the Nissan Tech Bulletin # NTB05022 which clear states to replace the line and not to mention the warrant hould cover it anyway. Bottom line is I have my truck back and now I'll how long it takes for this part to fail AGAIN. Bottom line I still love this truck and we will continue to work through these issues. Lastly if you live in Maryland around the Towson area beware of NATIONWIDE Nissan, The Stealer!!!!

shanky333 · 03-08-2007, 07:27 PM

I am So screwed now. As stated the stealership wanted $1800. to buy and install a new front diff. Maybe wish now I would have taken them up . I'll explain.
Anyway I found a salvage front diff out of an 04 titan that only had 3000miles on it. Had it installed by the dealer today and tech drove 1.5 miles mand the damn stub popped out again.
I inquired as to a possible issue than w/ my shaft or the c/ clip as opposed to a perfectly sound diff unit having the exact same problem as the one replaced. Once again SOL , I asked the service manager to contact the Drep one more tome in reference to my claim w/ consumer affairs , but am expecting no more help.
I paid $900 for the diff from Quality parts in Texas?
Do not know if they will take it back.
I plan to contact an atty about this issue with Nissan tommorow ?
Unless there is a better known after market fix I think I am stuck 3 weeks now no Titan.
Also will recontact by phone the NSA why have they not pulled an investigation even on the rear diff considering there have been well over 100 reported failures?
Front diff can be a real safety concern if this ***** drops out at higher speeds or while cornering!
Any suggestion appreciated .

post here or reply to shanky333@comcast.net

Luck

Wallrat · 03-08-2007, 10:19 PM

Check your steering stops for bends or dents. The stock steering stops are pretty wimpy and I found that mine were starting to dent in when I put on the 35's. I reinforced mine at that time and haven't had a problem since.

Also, I'd ask the dealership for your old diff back. Maybe they made a mistake/were lazy and just pushed the shaft back in on the old one and tossed your junkyard part in the dumpster.

chris boblitz · 03-28-2007, 09:51 PM

my front end was leaking fluid, and nationwide is replacing the axle i believe. at first they said it was that transcooler line, but i think it is much more substantial. i go to the dealer mentioned above( nationwide in maryland) and they have been awesome. so far, brakes at 3,000, rear end at 12,000, and now this at 27,000. no problems, they even offer me a rental car. i have been really happy with this dealership.