[docplez]

Long story short ... 2008 Titan 4x4 w/o modifications that I've owned since new. Front differential bearing (drivers side) went out at just under 77000. Ordered a new front diff from Courtesy Parts in Texas. In shipping by UPS diff was flipped upside down, drained of all fluid and appears cracked. Sent pictures to the dealer and UPS ... dealer says they don't believe it's cracked but an issue with the casting of the housing. I say it was either damaged in shipment or Nissan OEM replacement parts are very poor quality. Anyone else replaced their diff and seen anything like this??

 

[docplez]

Pics since they didn't seem to attach as links ...

 

[danman]

Do you have any pics? I know some of the castings on some parts, like trans bell housing look like hot garbage, but aren't actual cracks. Did you see if it will hold fluid?

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[LUBECAKES]

Was the old unit leaking? They're known for having a wobbly driver side shaft, but not for bearing failure.

 

[docplez]

Apparently I'm not doing something right ... I attached images and can see them but others can't.

 

[LUBECAKES]

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Apparently I'm not doing something right ... I attached images and can see them but others can't.

I see them, and would send it back!

 

[docplez]

Differential bearing was making a grinding noise and has lots of play, up, down in and out ... bearing is definitely bad. Mag plug had metal shavings.

 

[danman]

Apparently I'm not doing something right ... I attached images and can see them but others can't.

We can see them. It looks like a mess but I'm sure it's normal. Casting isn't pretty, but cheap for manufacturing and it works. Can you compare to the old one? Or did you already turn it in for core?

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[docplez]

Thanks Lubecakes ... if it wasn't dropped by UPS and cracked it sure is one ugly factory Nissan part. If I'd have known it was going to drag on like this I'd have gotten the bearing kit and had a drive line shop rebuild the old one.

 

[docplez]

We can see them. It looks like a mess but I'm sure it's normal. Casting isn't pretty, but cheap for manufacturing and it works. Can you compare to the old one? Or did you already turn it in for core?

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The old one (the original) is fine and look nothing like this ... there was no core charge and I keep the original. What gets me if it's a casting issue shouldn't the entire unit look crazed and not just the shaft housing to the passenger side?? The rest of the unit looks fine it's just that shaft housing.

 

[LUBECAKES]

Differential bearing was making a grinding noise and has lots of play, up, down in and out ... bearing is definitely bad. Mag plug had metal shavings.

I'll bet it was just the shaft support bearing. It's just a cheap little needle bearing that's easy to replace.
Check out my thread "Opened my 2007 front diff today".

 

[danman]

The old one (the original) is fine and look nothing like this ... there was no core charge and I keep the original. What gets me if it's a casting issue shouldn't the entire unit look crazed and not just the shaft housing to the passenger side?? The rest of the unit looks fine it's just that shaft housing.

Well maybe the ups driver did kick it out of the back of the truck! I'm not sure man, hard to appreciate the severity from a picture, but casting defects are common. I'd say if you have any doubt or if it's unacceptable to you, send it back...I'm sure it wasn't cheap

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[Lee-the-Impaler]

Well maybe the ups driver did kick it out of the back of the truck! I'm not sure man, hard to appreciate the severity from a picture, but casting defects are common. I'd say if you have any doubt or if it's unacceptable to you, send it back...I'm sure it wasn't cheap

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I second this, if something you ordered isn't up to par, Then it needs to go back. Hell, that looks worse than the cheapest re-man parts I've ever dealt with. It could be surface imperfection from casting, but it could also be entirely compromised.

 

[docplez]

Thanks for the input guys ... a tad over $1500 plus shipping (mine is the "B" differential since it has the tow package so yeah not exactly cheap). UPS got with the shipper yesterday so by COB today I'm supposed to hear from them. Worst case I shove the old one back in to get it off my lift and out of the way and I'll make a run to a dealer in Reno, Salt Lake or Twin Falls and get one in person next days off.

Thanks again ...