3/8" drive ratchet, 80w-90 gear oil. If it's low I recommend topping it off and after you get home drain and replace. Most every one that has changed their oil has stated it looked pretty nasty when drained.

 

why is the differential fluid already low on this truck you're buying?

did i miss some new problem with our trucks where they are leaking diff fluid?

 

http://www.titantalk.com/showthread.php?t=11249&highlight=differential

 

Bring a 3/8" drive ratchet and a quart of 80W-90 gear oil. Better bring either a cheater bar to put over the ratchet to give more leverage, or at least a foot long ratchet. My fill plug was on TIGHT. Gear oil bottles usually have a pointed spout, which allows you to add the oil without using a funnel or a long tube.

The rear diff fill plug can be seen from the rear of the truck. It's off center to the right, a little more than halfway up the diff. Not sure where the other plug(s) are for a 4x4 as I have a 4x2.

 

What tools and diff oil do I need along to pull over shortly after delivery and check/refill myself? I am mechanical, but the airplanes I usually wrench on don't have diff's <g>.


Ratchets aren't the best choice for breaking threads loose. That's how most
of them get torn up. Get a 3/8" breaker bar and an extension. Once you get
the plug broke loose then you can use a ratchet if needed.

Steve

 

Hey Im an A&P also.....

 

To fill the front diff from a gear oil bottle, I tie wrapped about 10" of plastic tubing to the bottle's nipple. You can work the bottle into a position higher than the fill hole from behind and right of the front diff housing. Do the front first, when the bottle is full - it gives you more "squeeze power" in this rather confined area. In front you'll first need to remove the skid plate (off-road pkg or not) using a 12mm socket. You only need to loosen the 2 front skid plate bolts, then remove the 2 rear ones and drop the plate. Bring plenty of paper towels and something to catch the runoff in (a disposable paint tray liner works great) when the diff level reaches the fill hole.
For the rear diff, if you want to fill direct from the bottle, you'll need to drop the spare. With the plastic hose on the bottle, you won't. BTW the nipple cap makes a great stopper for the hose.
This job can be somewhat messy and certainly smelly. I've done both Titans listed below. All 4 diffs were low. The fronts took about 14 oz each, the rears a bit less, each.
No reason to jack the truck up for either diff. Enjoy.

 

This job can be somewhat messy and certainly smelly. I've done both Titans listed below. All 4 diffs were low. The fronts took about 14 oz each, the rears a bit less, each.
No reason to jack the truck up for either diff. Enjoy.

Aw man this sounds like a fun job to do on the road, especially on a 4x4 . A big thanks to ALL on the advice, this board is great.

 

When they are prepping the vehicle have them specifically check that.. and the wheel torque, and other things. It's their job.

I don't get why you'd want to do this yourself. The "problem" is a little overhyped.

 

One other note. Bring a knife or something to cut the tip off of the gear oil bottle. Nothing worse than trying to use your teeth. :haveredfl :jester:

 

When they are prepping the vehicle have them specifically check that.. and the wheel torque, and other things. It's their job.

I don't get why you'd want to do this yourself. The "problem" is a little overhyped.

You are kidding, right :eeeek: ??? Pre-delivery in most shops consists of peeling off the interior protection film and a quick pressure wash.

I already have a 10-14 hour day in front of me picking up the truck, no time to stand around supervising mechanics. There's been enough actual diff failures and many more instances of low fluid found...imho not overhyped.

 

Since this is a FWD, it has a front diff that might be low also.

 

For the rear diff, if you want to fill direct from the bottle, you'll need to drop the spare.

you have to drop the spare to fill?

steve

 

No, but you have to mash the hell out of the bottle. If you get one of those cheap little pumps it makes it much easier.

 

where u getting this "cheap little pump" at? btw, im really dissapointed in our auto part stores in jeff city, mo. i had to go to 2 just to get 3 bottles of mobil 1 75-90 gear oil. and one person tried to sell me some permatex liquid gasket stuff instead of the high temp thread sealant. wtf. sometimes it would be easier to just have a big store w/ everything and no sales people just self-serve check outs. ugh.

steve

sorry for the rant

 

You are kidding, right :eeeek: ??? Pre-delivery in most shops consists of peeling off the interior protection film and a quick pressure wash.

I already have a 10-14 hour day in front of me picking up the truck, no time to stand around supervising mechanics. There's been enough actual diff failures and many more instances of low fluid found...imho not overhyped.

No, not kidding at all. They will check things that you specify. You should have a list already from this board of things you'll want them to check. It's their job. And if they only say they did, and there is a problem, well, then it's documented that you specifically said for them to do it.

If it means waiting another day before picking it up, then so be it.

 

No, not kidding at all. They will check things that you specify. You should have a list already from this board of things you'll want them to check. It's their job. And if they only say they did, and there is a problem, well, then it's documented that you specifically said for them to do it.

If it means waiting another day before picking it up, then so be it.

Okay I see your point, and a valid one. I just don't trust dealer's to do anything I asked, I've caught too many that didn't. Now if I got there tonight and put some sabotage tape on the fill bolts first....

 

Just call them to tell them the things you want checked ASAP. Make sure they write the things down and give to the prep guys. Diff levels, tire pressure, wheel bolt torque, etc. There was a list on here somewhere. You'd be surprised how willing they are to do it (or at least attept to.) And if you don't want the dealer badges, ask that they aren't placed on the truck. I did, and got no hassles about that at all.

When you pick it up, ask them if they found anything, and ask to get the times specifically noted for future reference.

Then, when you're safe and sound at home, check the diff fluid. If it's low, fill it and let them know they must not have checked it. If it is a little low, it's not going to cause any damage anyhow. If it's empty, then tell them you want a new diff. You'll most likley do service at a local dealer anyhow.

I don't trust the stealers either, but I did the same thing when I picked up mine, specifically asked the guys that worked on it what they found, and from their answers it seems like they actually did the work.

 

Well I guess tomorrow is the big day, picking up the new Titan tomorrow (King Cab XE in Silver)! Kinda' scary sight unseen.

I gave the dealer a list:
1) Check diff's
2) Check overhead console
3) Check pax airbag sensor

He just called back saying diff's are full (didn't state if they already were or had to have fluid added...and don't care as long as they are full). I will check to see if a wrench appears to have touched them when I pick it up. The rest of the list was okay too.

Thanks all!

 

where u getting this "cheap little pump" at?

"Cheap little pump" available locally in Colorado at Checker Auto & Auto Zone.

Online here:

http://doityourself.com/store/6847610.htm


Big selection here:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...ortby=sequence&categoryId=54&catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&langId=-1&PHOTOS=on

 

Don't forget to have them check tire pressure and wheel lug nut torque. Worry about things that will fail on the way home, not little things like the airbag sensor and cracked overhead console. Those things can be fixed locally for you under warrenty. If they find cracks or that the sensor doesn't work so well you may never get your truck! Hate for you to drive all the way out there and not be able to take delivery.

Let us know how things go! Congrats!

 

Let us know how things go! Congrats!

Well things went as I thought they would. The dealer said, among other things but most importantly, that both diff's were checked and okay.

Got around to checking them this morning, nearly a quart low between the two. So much for if you ask them too they will. In a former life I used to run a dealership service department so knew better :teethmast .

Oh yea the overhead console was cracked too (as all the others on the lot were). Even though they said beforehand that was okay also.

Good thing the pax airbag sensor works okay so far. And the rest of the truck too, just an awesome first effort by Nissan just plug both the factory AND dealership quality holes !!!!

PS I purchased a regular tall squeeze bottle of gear oil before checking the diff's. You can fill both diffs easily without an extra hose or pump or lowering the spare. Top off the rear first. After you fill the rear, the bottle has enough "squeeze space" to slip up at an angle between the drive shaft and body frame, allowing you to further squeeze and fill the front diff.

 

That's good to hear. No problems here with cracked console, but my front diff (SE KC 4X4) was really low. In fact when I checked the front diff, I couldn't feel any oil. After I drained it, all I got from the front diff was "1 quart" of oil. Quickly refilled it with 2 quartz of Mobil 1. CHEERS!

 

Freakin dealers! I don't ever believe anything they ever tell me. I double check their work everytime. I even wear old clothes when I take her in so I don't mind crawling on my back under the truck in the parking lot after they are done.

 

Send your dealer a little thank you note for their initial service in the form of the dealer survey they all seem so worried about.