rear axle wheel bearings

bm2004x

Test Drive
Location
United States
Has anyone ever changed the rear axle outer bearings on their X? I see its common on 2nd gen xterra's but haven't found good info or how-to's on the 1st gen. not sure its my problem but possible bent axle or bad bearing. Feels like a flat spot on the wheel sometimes and i know my rear tire was contacted when i was rear ended once before. I also get an odd grind when coming to a complete stop after the truck sitting over night. the grind goes away after the first few stops. breaks are all in good shape. feel like the grind is coming from the rear end.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Has anyone ever changed the rear axle outer bearings on their X? I see its common on 2nd gen xterra's but haven't found good info or how-to's on the 1st gen. not sure its my problem but possible bent axle or bad bearing. Feels like a flat spot on the wheel sometimes and i know my rear tire was contacted when i was rear ended once before. I also get an odd grind when coming to a complete stop after the truck sitting over night. the grind goes away after the first few stops. breaks are all in good shape. feel like the grind is coming from the rear end.
This is complicated.

The outers on the 1st Gen are double roller. Meaning there's and inner and outer bearing. You pull the 4 nuts on the axle tube. Pull the whole assembly out. Brakes and all. You have to remove the retaining clip, and the axle nut. Yes. There's a big ass nut on the axle shaft.

Then

There is a special Nissan tool to separate the backing plate from the inner bearing. This is difficult to do without the tool. If you're doing it yourself you may have to pull the axle assembly and take it to a dealer to have them pull the inner bearing out. Once the inner bearing is out the backing plate comes right off.

Then.

You need to cut the outer bearing off of the axle shaft.

Then

It takes a press to reinstall the outer bearing. Once the outer bearing is home, you put the backing plate on, and slide the inner bearing onto the shaft.

Then.

Again use a press to get the inner bearing home.

Then.

Reinstall the nut and retainer. Then the axle shaft can go back into the housing.

So a search for my 1st Gen disc brake build. Most of the details are outlined there.
 

bm2004x

Test Drive
Location
United States
This seems like a ton of work that i am not qualified to do. I give you credit for what you did. I am still trying to narrow down my vibrations. thanks for all the info. Almost seem like swapping the rear axle may be easier? I am sure i could find a 4.9 stock axle out there and easily check it for axle issues.
 

westslope

Wheeling
My regional Nissan dealership will press the bearings off and then back the axle for a charge that from memory amounted to just over C$100. Not much. I have read that qualified driveline shops will also do the same. All you have to do is remove the axle with bearings from the axle tubes and bring them in.

Will likely have to replace the rear axle seals in the near future, hence the interest.

As for the grind mentioned in the first post, that could be dragging brakes, no? It does not strike me as wheel bearing related.
 
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