Nissan Pathfinder (2010 year). Manual - part 544

RAX-1

TRANSMISSION & DRIVELINE

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SECTION 

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CONTENTS

REAR AXLE

PRECAUTION ...............................................

2

PRECAUTIONS ...................................................

2

Precaution for Supplemental Restraint System 
(SRS) "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TEN-
SIONER" ...................................................................

2

Precaution Necessary for Steering Wheel Rota-
tion After Battery Disconnect .....................................

2

Caution ......................................................................

3

PREPARATION ............................................

4

PREPARATION ...................................................

4

Special Service Tool  .................................................

4

Commercial Service Tool  ..........................................

4

SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS  ...............................

5

NOISE, VIBRATION, AND HARSHNESS 
(NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING  .............................

5

NVH Troubleshooting Chart  ......................................

5

ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE .....................

6

WHEEL HUB  .......................................................

6

On-Vehicle Inspection and Service  ..........................

6

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ................

7

WHEEL HUB  ......................................................

7

Component ...............................................................

7

Removal and Installation  ..........................................

7

REAR DRIVE SHAFT .........................................

8

Component ...............................................................

8

Removal and Installation  ..........................................

8

DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ..............

10

REAR DRIVE SHAFT ........................................

10

Disassembly and Assembly .....................................

10

SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS 
(SDS) ............................................................

15

SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS 
(SDS) .................................................................

15

Wheel Bearing  .........................................................

15

Drive Shaft ...............................................................

15

Boot Bands  ..............................................................

15

2010 Pathfinder

RAX-2

< PRECAUTION >

PRECAUTIONS

PRECAUTION

PRECAUTIONS

Precaution for Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT 
PRE-TENSIONER"

INFOID:0000000005519019

The Supplemental Restraint System such as “AIR BAG” and “SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER”, used along

with a front seat belt, helps to reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver and front passenger for certain

types of collision. This system includes seat belt switch inputs and dual stage front air bag modules. The SRS

system uses the seat belt switches to determine the front air bag deployment, and may only deploy one front

air bag, depending on the severity of a collision and whether the front occupants are belted or unbelted.

Information necessary to service the system safely is included in the SR and SB section of this Service Man-

ual.

WARNING:

• To avoid rendering the SRS inoperative, which could increase the risk of personal injury or death in

the event of a collision which would result in air bag inflation, all maintenance must be performed by

an authorized NISSAN/INFINITI dealer.

• Improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the SRS, can lead to personal

injury caused by unintentional activation of the system. For removal of Spiral Cable and Air Bag

Module, see the SR section.

• Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS unless instructed to in this

Service Manual. SRS wiring harnesses can be identified by yellow and/or orange harnesses or har-

ness connectors.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING POWER TOOLS (AIR OR ELECTRIC) AND HAMMERS

WARNING:

• When working near the Airbag Diagnosis Sensor Unit or other Airbag System sensors with the Igni-

tion ON or engine running, DO NOT use air or electric power tools or strike near the sensor(s) with a

hammer. Heavy vibration could activate the sensor(s) and deploy the air bag(s), possibly causing

serious injury.

• When using air or electric power tools or hammers, always switch the Ignition OFF, disconnect the

battery, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service.

Precaution Necessary for Steering Wheel Rotation After Battery Disconnect

INFOID:0000000005260143

NOTE:

• This Procedure is applied only to models with Intelligent Key system and NATS (NISSAN ANTI-THEFT SYS-

TEM).

• Remove and install all control units after disconnecting both battery cables with the ignition knob in the

″

LOCK

″

 position.

• Always use CONSULT-III to perform self-diagnosis as a part of each function inspection after finishing work.

If DTC is detected, perform trouble diagnosis according to self-diagnostic results.

For models equipped with the Intelligent Key system and NATS, an electrically controlled steering lock mech-

anism is adopted on the key cylinder.

For this reason, if the battery is disconnected or if the battery is discharged, the steering wheel will lock and

steering wheel rotation will become impossible.

If steering wheel rotation is required when battery power is interrupted, follow the procedure below before

starting the repair operation.

OPERATION PROCEDURE

1. Connect both battery cables.

NOTE:

Supply power using jumper cables if battery is discharged.

2. Use the Intelligent Key or mechanical key to turn the ignition switch to the 

″

ACC

″

 position. At this time, the

steering lock will be released.

3. Disconnect both battery cables. The steering lock will remain released and the steering wheel can be

rotated.

4. Perform the necessary repair operation.

2010 Pathfinder

PRECAUTIONS

RAX-3

< PRECAUTION >

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5. When the repair work is completed, return the ignition switch to the 

″

LOCK

″

 position before connecting

the battery cables. (At this time, the steering lock mechanism will engage.)

6. Perform a self-diagnosis check of all control units using CONSULT-III. 

Caution

INFOID:0000000005260142

Observe the following precautions when disassembling and servicing drive shaft.

• Perform work in a location which is as dust-free as possible.

• Before disassembling and servicing, clean the outside of parts.

• Prevention of the entry of foreign objects must be taken into account during disassembly of the service loca-

tion.

• Disassembled parts must be carefully reassembled in the correct order. If work is interrupted, a clean cover

must be placed over parts.

• Paper shop cloths must be used. Fabric shop cloths must not be used because of the danger of lint adhering

to parts.

• Disassembled parts (except for rubber parts) should be cleaned with kerosene which shall be removed by

blowing with air or wiping with paper shop cloths.

2010 Pathfinder

RAX-4

< PREPARATION >

PREPARATION

PREPARATION

PREPARATION

Special Service Tool

INFOID:0000000005260144

The actual shapes of the Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of the special service tools illustrated here.

Commercial Service Tool

INFOID:0000000005260145

Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.)
Tool name

Description

KV38100500
( — )
Drift

Installing drive shaft plug

a: 80 mm (3.15 in) dia.
b: 60 mm (2.36 in) dia.

KV38102200
( — )
Drift

Installing drive shaft plug

a: 90 mm (3.54 in) dia.
b: 31 mm (1.22 in) dia.

KV40107300
(

—

)

Boot band crimping tool

Installing boot bands

ZZA0701D

ZZA0920D

ZZA1229D

Tool name

Description

Power tools

Removing bolts and nuts

PBIC0190E

2010 Pathfinder

NOISE, VIBRATION, AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING

RAX-5

< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >

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SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS

NOISE, VIBRATION, AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING

NVH Troubleshooting Chart

INFOID:0000000005260146

Use chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.

×

: Applicable

Reference page

—

RAX-8

—

RAX-7

—

DLN-414, "

NVH T

ro

ubl

es

ho

ot

ing

 Cha

rt

"

 (R

20

0)

DLN-452, "

NVH T

ro

ubl

es

ho

ot

ing

 Cha

rt

"

 (R

23

0)

FA

X

-5

, "

NVH T

ro

ub

les

ho

ot

ing

 Ch

art

"

FS

U-5, "

NVH T

rou

bl

es

ho

oti

ng

 Cha

rt

"

RSU-5, "

NV

H T

rou

ble

shoo

ting Cha

rt

"

WT

-4

6,

 "

NV

H T

rou

bl

es

ho

oti

ng

 Cha

rt

"

WT

-4

6,

 "

NV

H T

rou

bl

es

ho

oti

ng

 Cha

rt

"

DLN-323, "

NVH T

rou

bl

es

ho

ot

in

g Cha

rt

"

 (2S

13

30)

DLN-334, "

NVH T

rou

bl

es

ho

ot

in

g Cha

rt

"

 (2S

13

50)

BR

-6

, "

NV

H T

rou

bl

es

ho

oti

ng

 Cha

rt

"

ST

-12,

 "

NVH T

rou

bl

es

ho

ot

in

g Cha

rt

"

Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS

Ex

ce

ss

iv

e j

oi

nt an

gl

e

Jo

in

t s

lid

in

g re

si

st

an

ce

Imb

al

anc

e

Im

pro

pe

r in

st

al

lat

ion

, 

lo

ose

ness

P

art

s interference

REA

R

 FINAL DRIVE

FRO

N

T A

X

L

E

F

R

ONT

 SUSPENSI

ON

REA

R

 SUSPENSI

ON

TI

RE

S

ROAD W

H

EEL

PR

OP

EL

LE

R

 S

H

A

F

T

BR

AK

E

S

S

T

EERING

Symptom

Noise

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

Shake

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

Vibration

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

Shimmy

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

Shudder

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

Poor quality ride or han-
dling

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

×

2010 Pathfinder

RAX-6

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

WHEEL HUB

ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

WHEEL HUB

On-Vehicle Inspection and Service

INFOID:0000000005260147

Inspect the components for any looseness or backlash. Inspect each component for any excessive wear or

damage. Replace any components as necessary.

WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION

• Move the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly in the axial direction by hand to check the axial end play.

Check that the axial end play is with specification. Replace the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly as

necessary.

• Rotate the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly to check that there are no unusual noises or other abnor-

mal conditions. Replace the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly as necessary.

Axial end play

: 0 mm (0 in)

2010 Pathfinder

WHEEL HUB

RAX-7

< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

WHEEL HUB

Component

INFOID:0000000005260148

Rear Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000005260150

REMOVAL

1. Remove the rear brake caliper, without disconnecting the hydraulic hose, using power tool. Reposition the

rear brake caliper aside using suitable wire. Refer to 

BR-45, "Removal and Installation of Brake Caliper

and Disc Rotor"

.

NOTE:

Do not depress the brake pedal while the brake caliper is removed. 

2. Remove the rear disc rotor.
3. Remove the rear drive shaft. Refer to 

RAX-8, "Removal and Installation"

.

4. Remove the four rear wheel hub and bearing assembly bolts using power tool.

• Discard the four rear wheel hub and bearing assembly bolts, use new ones for installation.

5. Remove the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

• Use a new cotter pin for installation.

• Use new rear wheel hub and bearing assembly bolts for installation.

• Apply Genuine NISSAN grease or equivalent to contact surface between wheel hub and drive shaft. Refer to

MA-16, "For North America"

.

WDIA0229E

1.

Back plate

2.

Rear wheel hub and bearing assembly

3.

Wheel stud

4.

Rear disc rotor

5.

Cotter pin

2010 Pathfinder

RAX-8

< REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

REAR DRIVE SHAFT

REAR DRIVE SHAFT

Component

INFOID:0000000005260149

Rear Drive Shaft Assembly

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000005260151

REMOVAL

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly using power tool.
2. Remove the cotter pin and discard, then remove the lock nut from the drive shaft.

• Do not reuse the cotter pin, discard after removal and use a new cotter pin for installation.

3. Remove the six rear drive shaft bolts from the rear final drive assembly flange using power tool.

• Do not reuse the rear drive shaft bolts, discard after removal and use new bolts for installation.

4. Separate the rear drive shaft from the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly by lightly tapping the end of

the rear drive shaft with a suitable hammer and wood block. If it is difficult to separate, use a suitable

puller.

5. Remove the rear drive shaft.

CAUTION:

• When removing the rear drive shaft, do not bend at an excessive angle to the rear drive shaft

joint.

• Do not excessively extend the slide joint.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

AWDIA0629GB

1.

Rear final drive assembly

2.

Rear drive shaft

3.

Rear wheel hub and bearing assembly

4.

Rear disc rotor

5.

Cotter pin

Front

Apply Genuine NISSAN grease or equivalent. Refer to 

MA-16, "For North America"

.

2010 Pathfinder