Front Differential Being Replaced

5024 Views 19 Replies 7 Participants Last post by tjthack, Feb 15, 2008

MuskyHunter

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2008

Went to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation today. We have been trying to track down my left front tire cupping on the outer edge. Tires are load balanced, the alignment dialed in to spec.

I asked them to check the front axle end play out of curiosity. Low and behold, the left front end play was out of spec. The service procedure called for a differential replacement. There were no leaks, but the diagnosis explains some other minor issues/noises I have experienced, such as the tire cupping, a kanucka, kanucka sound offroad that I thought was suspension, and seemingly more steering corrections on the highway.

Asking about it a little more about the differential, there are two improved revisions of the front differential. The dealer has been receiving the most recent version. They had three defective ones crated up in the service area, all of which were leaking oil. I'll post more when I find out more concerning the part numbers and improvements.

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tjthack

· #2 · Feb 5, 2008

Just took my '05 in yesterday and they are also replacing the front differential. The truck was making noise and vibrating whenever I would stop at a light. I took it in a couple months ago and they said everything was fine.

Then this weekend (while we were getting 10" of snow and I was driving 40 miles away to a trade show for my business) I heard a loud clunk. Luckily I got back home and now when you try to shift into 4HI while driving it makes a horrible grinding sound. They said the flange and gears were destroyed.

I just had the rear differential replaced at about 26,000 miles and I'm only at 30,000 now. I'm hoping these new parts are superior to the old ones, cause I love this truck.

The dealership has been good about it and gave me a Pathfinder to drive while the Titan is being repaired.

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4wheelpeel

· #3 · Feb 5, 2008

tjthack said:
Just took my '05 in yesterday and they are also replacing the front differential. The truck was making noise and vibrating whenever I would stop at a light. I took it in a couple months ago and they said everything was fine.

Then this weekend (while we were getting 10" of snow and I was driving 40 miles away to a trade show for my business) I heard a loud clunk. Luckily I got back home and now when you try to shift into 4HI while driving it makes a horrible grinding sound. They said the flange and gears were destroyed.

I just had the rear differential replaced at about 26,000 miles and I'm only at 30,000 now. I'm hoping these new parts are superior to the old ones, cause I love this truck.

The dealership has been good about it and gave me a Pathfinder to drive while the Titan is being repaired.

Had my front diff go out at about 40k and they tried to blame it on a leveling kit. after a bunch of back and forth they put a new one in. hope I dont have this problem again. so far so good.

goathead

· #4 · Feb 5, 2008

musky, definately keep us posted. i have a "groaning" noise when 4wd is engaged and am collecting info to take to the dealer. i also have heard of issues w/ the drive shaft backlash being out of spec. i would love to have some part #s for the updated front diff.

tjthack

· #5 · Feb 6, 2008

4wheelpeel said:
Had my front diff go out at about 40k and they tried to blame it on a leveling kit. after a bunch of back and forth they put a new one in. hope I dont have this problem again. so far so good.

I have a leveling kit, but they haven't said anything about that yet. We'll see what happens. I'm having them do their recommended transmission flush while it's in there so they can't say I'm not keeping up with the truck's maintenance.

4wheelpeel

· #6 · Feb 6, 2008

tjthack said:
I have a leveling kit, but they haven't said anything about that yet. We'll see what happens. I'm having them do their recommended transmission flush while it's in there so they can't say I'm not keeping up with the truck's maintenance.

Man good luck. let me know how it goes.

wanatitan

· #7 · Feb 6, 2008

Man !!I can't believe this was on the board today.
I just drove home in the snow about 10 miles. I had the titan in 4 high.
stopped at the gas station to fill her up. When I pulled away I heard a big clunk from the left front. Now every time I back up, stop, and go forward it clunks from the left front. I logged on to see if their were any old posts about this.
I just bought this truck 2 weeks ago. Its a 05 SE with 23000 miles. I've wanted one since they came out. I read about the rear ends leaking so I did the vent mod. Now the front ends are bad too. Not to mention all the other problems I've read about. Also my door handles have been frozen since I've bought it, The remote key less entry works when it feels like it!!! Sorry to say this guys. I'm on your side, I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!! but I am starting to think itS sort of a piece of crap!!! I know your just going to say take it to the dealer and they will fix it, but I did not buy it to leave it at the dealer!!!! I just can't think of another truck that gets me hard like this one.:deathsent

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pedalhappy1053

· #8 · Feb 6, 2008

I got my front differential replace when I blew out the spider gears. Thats probly what happened to WANATITAN. The same thing happened to me but I was at the dunes hauling a**.

wanatitan

· #9 · Feb 6, 2008

I've never gotten on this truck yet!!:rofl: Well not in 4x4!! Driven her pretty gingerly actually!!
Did it lock up on you? Could you still drive in 2 wheel drive if it did!

4wheelpeel

· #10 · Feb 6, 2008

wanatitan said:
I've never gotten on this truck yet!!:rofl: Well not in 4x4!! Driven her pretty gingerly actually!!
Did it lock up on you? Could you still drive in 2 wheel drive if it did!

Its not that bad as long as you are close to a dealer. They will give you a rental and you will have a new diff with 0 miles on it. if you live where it snows like in IL or if you just like fixing up your titan you should drop the $$ and get true-trac for the rear. and as for the door handles They will put some new shiny ones on for you. It will be a whole new bad azz truck. I am glad I got a new front diff and its still not the 04 version. It has worked great glad nissan stepped up for me. and yes it will work fine in 2wd until its fixed.

James Con

· #11 · Feb 6, 2008

MuskyHunter said:
Went to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation today. We have been trying to track down my left front tire cupping on the outer edge. Tires are load balanced, the alignment dialed in to spec.

I asked them to check the front axle end play out of curiosity. Low and behold, the left front end play was out of spec. The service procedure called for a differential replacement. There were no leaks, but the diagnosis explains some other minor issues/noises I have experienced, such as the tire cupping, a kanucka, kanucka sound offroad that I thought was suspension, and seemingly more steering corrections on the highway.

Asking about it a little more about the differential, there are two improved revisions of the front differential. The dealer has been receiving the most recent version. They had three defective ones crated up in the service area, all of which were leaking oil. I'll post more when I find out more concerning the part numbers and improvements.

When I changed my front Diff fluid last week, I noticed that the left side stub axle going into the Diff had up and down play in it. Quite a bit. How would I check to see if it is within spec. I would take it to the dealer and have them check it but they would lie and say it is fine.

tjthack

· #12 · Feb 13, 2008

MuskyHunter said:
Went to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation today. We have been trying to track down my left front tire cupping on the outer edge. Tires are load balanced, the alignment dialed in to spec.

I asked them to check the front axle end play out of curiosity. Low and behold, the left front end play was out of spec. The service procedure called for a differential replacement. There were no leaks, but the diagnosis explains some other minor issues/noises I have experienced, such as the tire cupping, a kanucka, kanucka sound offroad that I thought was suspension, and seemingly more steering corrections on the highway.

Asking about it a little more about the differential, there are two improved revisions of the front differential. The dealer has been receiving the most recent version. They had three defective ones crated up in the service area, all of which were leaking oil. I'll post more when I find out more concerning the part numbers and improvements.

Herb, have you gotten your truck back yet? Mine is still getting worked on, and they said the last time they had to order the gears it took a month to get the part.

The '08 Pathfinder rental I had wouldn't start the other morning and the guages were going crazy when I tried to start it. Then it went completely dead. Using a battery charger on it did nothing, so Enterprise had to come tow it last night.

Now I'm stuck in a Chevy HHR until I get my truck back :crying:

MuskyHunter

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 13, 2008

Sorry guys, I forgot I posted this. Yes, I did get the front differential replaced a few weeks ago. Solved the clunking sound over bumps and the tendancy for the truck to track off center on the highway after going over a bump.

This new front differential is much quieter than what was on there, and is hardly noticable when 4wd enguaged. When my truck was new and in 4wd, I thought the noise and vibration was part of break in. This unit is the third generation unit (two revisions of the original) and seems a lot better so far (fingers crossed).

I am starting to loose confidence though as in my other thread, it appears that my rear differential may be toast. If that is the case, I am going to take a long hard look at the situation.

MuskyHunter

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 14, 2008

goathead said:
musky, definately keep us posted. i have a "groaning" noise when 4wd is engaged and am collecting info to take to the dealer. i also have heard of issues w/ the drive shaft backlash being out of spec. i would love to have some part #s for the updated front diff.

Looking at my invoice, it shows 38500-8511B.

wanatitan

· #15 · Feb 14, 2008

Yeah,Mine growls in 4x4 also. I thought it was sort of normal. But if the new one is quiet then I am going to the dealer. Got a big list for them to fix!!
Now I noticed my power steering fluid is leaking too.....GRRRRRR!:grunge:
The clunk I reported earlier went away the next day. I could not make it do it for the life of me. But it happened again a few days later. Thought I would post that. Hopefully I can get to the dealer this weekend. If it will ever STOP snowing here in northern IL. When it snows I have to push it. NOT WITH THE TITAN OF COURSE!!!

MuskyHunter

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 14, 2008

Ask the dealer to check the front axle end play. We couldn't figure out the clunk and they were surprised at my request. When the service writer came in to the waiting area, he said I was all set and that they will schedule a new appointment when the differential arrived.

wanatitan

· #17 · Feb 14, 2008

I will do that for sure!!!! Thanks for the info...... I appreciate that!!!!!:futwice:

tjthack

· #18 · Feb 14, 2008

Got my truck back today, and it's great to have it back! Here are the parts they replaced:

38220-8S11A Flange Assy Sid
38423-8S11A Gear Side
38342-8S110 Seal - Oil, Side F
999MP-1XGPPOP Limited Slip Oi

Everything was covered under warranty, so hopefully these parts will last.

MuskyHunter

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 14, 2008

tjthack said:
Got my truck back today, and it's great to have it back! Here are the parts they replaced:

38220-8S11A Flange Assy Sid
38423-8S11A Gear Side
38342-8S110 Seal - Oil, Side F
999MP-1XGPPOP Limited Slip Oi

Everything was covered under warranty, so hopefully these parts will last.

Travis, did they order you parts or a whole assembly? I see this is version A and not B. Mine came as one unit and one part number. Curious.

tjthack

· #20 · Feb 15, 2008

MuskyHunter said:
Travis, did they order you parts or a whole assembly? I see this is version A and not B. Mine came as one unit and one part number. Curious.

Yeah, they only ordered the individual parts that went out. I asked them why they wouldn't replace the whole unit (because I knew there were problems with the earlier diffs), and they said they tried that with another Titan that came in with a similar problem. They said Nissan wouldn't allow them to replace the entire diff unless the "whole unit" went out. I'm not sure how they define the "whole unit", but I'd think that the mounting flange and gears are pretty integral parts, and would warrant replacing the "whole unit"!

Seems to be driving well, and it shifts into/out of 4HI on the fly now. I guess I'll have to wait for it to start leaking until they'll replace the whole thing!

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