Axle shaft maintenance — removal and installation (Nissan Patrol Y60)

Note: To replace the bearing you will need a 58.2mm socket wrench and a press with support plates.

Note: All grease should be a lithium-based, general-purpose grease unless otherwise noted in the procedure description.

Removal

1. Jack up the rear of the car and place it on supports. Remove the rear wheel.

2. On models with rear drum brakes, remove the drum assembly from the axle shaft and disconnect the brake pipe from the rear of the wheel cylinder. Plug the pipe and the cylinder nipple to prevent dirt from entering the hydraulic system.

3. On models with rear disc brakes (see accompanying illustration) loosen the mounting bolts, remove the caliper from the chassis and tie it to the side with wire to the suspension element.



4. Remove the brake disc from the axle shaft flange and the dust shield from the caliper support bracket.

5. Loosen the nuts securing the axle shaft bearing housing to the rear axle housing and use a sliding hammer to remove the axle shaft assembly.

Note: If a sliding hammer is not available, return the brake drum/disc to its position on the axle shaft and loosely tighten the wheel nuts, then use the drum/disc as a sliding hammer head (don't hit it with a regular hammer).

6. On models with rear drum brakes, remove the adjusting washers and dust boot from the bearing housing. Discard the dust boot.



7. On models with rear disc brakes (see accompanying illustration) remove the sealing ring from the axle flange and discard it.

8. Using a lever, remove the inner axle shaft seal from the axle housing.

Installation

Installation is carried out in reverse order.

1. Lubricate the lips of the new oil seal and install the oil seal into the axle housing.

2. On models with rear disc brakes, perform the following procedures:

• Lubricate the new sealing ring and install it into the axle housing.
• Install the axle shaft, - try not to damage the inner seal. Tighten the fastening nuts with a force of 53÷63 Nm.
• Install the brake disc and caliper and tighten the mounting bolts to 38÷52 Nm.

3. On models with drum mechanisms:

• Install the brake shield onto the axle housing and securely fasten the brake pipe.
• Install a new dust seal onto the bearing housing, then insert one axle shaft, being careful not to damage the inner seal. Do not install any shims at this stage.
• Screw on the axle shaft mounting nuts and tighten them to 53÷63 Nm.
• Install a new dust cover and a set of adjusting washers with a total thickness of 1.6 mm on the bearing housing of the opposite half-shaft. Insert the half-shaft, being careful not to damage the inner seal.

Note: Make sure that the adjusting washers are not installed between the dust boot and the bearing housing.

• Tighten the axle shaft mounting nuts securely until the bearing housing rests against the brake shield. Otherwise, the axle shaft will become jammed.

Note: If the axle shaft begins to seize, do not tighten the nuts further as this may damage the bearing housing.

• Attach the dial gauge to the brake shield, with the plunger towards the end of the axle shaft flange, and measure the axle clearance of the latter.
• Select adjusting washers of the required thickness and install them, achieving an axial clearance of 0.02÷0.15 mm. Washers should not be installed between the dust cover and the bearing housing.

Note: The amount of axial play increases with the addition of adjusting washers, and vice versa. The difference in thickness between the sets of adjusting washers for the left and right axle shafts should not exceed one millimeter. If necessary, remove washers from one set and add them to the other.

• Tighten the axle shaft mounting nuts to 53÷63 Nm and repeat the procedure in step (f).
• Install the brake drum and bleed the hydraulic system.

Bearing replacement

1. Remove the axle shaft.

2. Clamp the axle shaft in a vice and bend the tabs of the bearing retaining nut lock washer.

3. Using a 58.2mm wrench, loosen the bearing retaining nut and discard the lock washer.

4. Install the axle shaft in the press, supporting the bearing housing with support plates (on models with rear drum brakes), or the caliper support bracket (on models with rear disc brakes. Press the axle shaft out of the bearing housing.



5. On models with rear wheel drum brakes (see accompanying illustration) remove the seal from the bearing housing and discard it. Also remove the spacer ring from the axle shaft.



6. On models with rear disc brakes, remove the axle shaft outer bearing inner race, seal and spacer ring from the axle shaft. Discard the seal.

7. Using a brass drift, remove the outer bearing race from the bearing housing.

8. Inspect the axle shaft for cracks, signs of wear and deformation. Pay particular attention to the condition of the splines.

9. Also check the bearing housing for signs of wear, cracks and other damage.

The bearing is installed in the reverse order.

1. Using a brass drift, seat the outer bearing race into the housing until it rests against the shoulders.

2. Pack the bearing and the space between the seal lips with high-temperature, lithium-based, multi-purpose grease. When lubricating the bearing, thoroughly pack the grease into the gaps between the rollers, inner race, and separator.



3. On models with rear disc brakes:

• Install the inner race of the outer bearing into the casing, then using a suitable mandrel, push the oil seal into the casing until it stops against the shoulders.
• Place the spacer ring and caliper bracket onto the axle shaft, then press the axle shaft into the bearings, resting the outer race against the mandrel and being careful not to damage the seal.
• Pack the space between the seal and the spacer ring with high temperature, lithium based, multi-purpose grease.

4. On models with drum rear brakes, place the spacer ring and bearing housing on the axle shaft, then use a brass drift or a piece of pipe to seat the inner race on the axle shaft.

5. Install the lock washer, lubricate the contact surface of the fastening nut and tighten the nut with a force of 441÷490 Nm. Bend one of the tabs of the lock washer.

6. While holding the axle shaft, rotate the bearing housing assembly three times to check for freedom of rotation.

7. Install the axle shaft into the axle housing.