[08TitanLE]

Just noticed the LH wheel seal on my 08 Titan is leaking gear oil. I have 4WD and the locking differential option and have read about removing the rear wheel axel as being pretty straightforward. Remove wheel, caliper, abs sensor, parking brake assembly, 4 bolts, use slide hammer to remove axel. Then use drill and chisel to remove old bearing and spacer.
I then plan on taking axel to local mechanic to have new Timken Set80 bearing,spacer and seal pressed on.
The recurring question is will a 10lb slide hammer work with this type of axel or do I need to remove diff cover and loosen anything in there. Thanks

 

[08TitanLE]

Here are the specs of my axel and parts purchased.

Rear Axel part numer on right side of Axel housing. 2005296-2

Set80 Timken Nissan Titan 08-15 Purchased from RockAuto 1-Bearing and Spacer&Seal 60.74 w/shipping
RockAuto only offers a National Seal p/n 710851 but it's only like $3 bucks

Nissan wheel seal on EBay p/n 43252-ZR00A 12.40 Free Shipping
Nissan Snap Ring p/n 01541-0001V 8.31 Free Shipping

 

[Nick741]

Mine also started leaking. from what i researched you are on the right track: dissemble all the brake stuff, remove the 4 bolts on the back side of axle shaft, use a slide hammer to beat it out (no need to remove the rear cover), remove and replace bearings and seals, reassemble.

I just purchased the whole axle shaft with the new bearing already assembled off ebay. Here is one from Jegs Spicer 2005994-1: Axle Shaft | JEGS with the same part #

 

[Nick741]

Finished mine tonight. I only had a 5# slide hammer that i rented from autozone. Getting the axle to pop out was a real pain!!! After about 100 hard hits from the slide hammer i spent 10 minutes heating the axle tube on the backside where the bearing and seal are located. 20 more hits with the slide hammer it popped free. Use a small towel to pull the slide on the slide hammer or you will really hurt your wrists and hands from the vibrations. The rest was real easy and straight forward. Good luck

PS: my truck does not have the locker like on a PROX so i'm not sure if they have any additional steps or not?

 

[08TitanLE]

I did a little more research after I posted the initial link and found the same rear axle assembly you suggest. My Titan has 120k and from what I have read there is probably scarring on the axle shaft. Completely agree with that mindset, that's what Nissan Service centers are doing as well. Too many seal failures after just replacing bearing and seal to chance it. Thanks for the information.

 

[08TitanLE]

From what my manual says there are no additional steps with the diff lock feature. It's basically an electronic feature used on a temporary basis is you need both rear wheels to turn at the same time if you get stuck, but needs to be disabled immediately after being used. It disables ABS and VDC options when activated so that leads me to believe this is essentially disabling features to allow this electronic feature to work, versus making a mechanical change in the driveline.
Thanks for the insight on replacing the Axel, hopefully mine will come out peacefully because the way it leaks and sounds it definitely seems like it wants too. Passenger side is dry but plan on changing it if all goes well with drivers side. Found replacement Dana 44 Axel assembly at Drivetrain America 2005994-1 for 182.00. Same part # for both sides. I will get a confirmation on Monday from them. Thanks for the insite on removal and installation of wheel Axel, will let forum know if I run into anything unexpected.
Cajun headers and b-pipes after this hopefully. Thanks

 

[08TitanLE]

Thanks Nick741 looks like I have the same package as you. After inspecting by options again in front of gear shifter I have the tow package option only. I mistook a switch in the middle for Diff lock and it is not, previous owner made a power switch to rear trailer harness.
I ordered the same part as you 2005994-1 Spicer Rear Axel Assembly from CARID 166.82 shipping 16.00. Also after hearing your experience with a 5lb slide hammer I ordered a 10lb slide hammer set from Tooltopia. Thanks again, I'll let you know how mine goes.

 

[FishnAlaska]

Have either of you checked your rear axle breather? These become gummed up very easily. When they are clogged, pressure can't be released and of course then it causes the seal to leak. Sometime its just as simple as replacing the breather with a "axle vent mod" to stop the leaking. Only coast about $30 and 20 minutes of time to do it. If you have to eplac ethe seals I would still highly recommend the axle vent mod to help prevent further issues.

 

[Jrevello]

Destroyed the slide hammer, put a 25# dumbbell plate (smaller center hole than Olympic plates) and slammed the snot out of the axle puller three times to pull axle. No need to go into diff housing, just swing for the fences with the most weight possible.
Will be modifying the rear axle vent this week.

 

[08TitanLE]

I did the breather mod a month ago, after I found seal leaking. My luck. I found the factory one barely functioning. Got the instructions and Nissan part number from here and works great. Thanks

 

[08TitanLE]

Glad I don't have to open rear diff, hoping the OEM 10lb slide and my 300lb father in law of mine can break the old axle out. New axle will be here Thursday, planning on replacing on Saturday. Thanks for all the good information!!

 

[jdmartin]

Glad I don't have to open rear diff, hoping the OEM 10lb slide and my 300lb father in law of mine can break the old axle out. New axle will be here Thursday, planning on replacing on Saturday. Thanks for all the good information!!

Take some good pictures! It's always interesting watching this thing come along, especially since virtually everyone has this problem.

 

[Nick741]

Have either of you checked your rear axle breather? These become gummed up very easily. When they are clogged, pressure can't be released and of course then it causes the seal to leak. Sometime its just as simple as replacing the breather with a "axle vent mod" to stop the leaking. Only coast about $30 and 20 minutes of time to do it. If you have to eplac ethe seals I would still highly recommend the axle vent mod to help prevent further issues.

No but I wish i would have. I normally would spin the top of the vent once a year making sure it felt free and clear. When I found the seal leak I checked the vent it and it was gummed up :frown: and i just returned from a long towing trip through the Rocky's. 130K miles on the truck now.