I got the mileage on the Pathy up to 5300 so I wanted to change out the factory fill fluids and put fresh in. Just to get out all the break-in gunk and metal particles that would have sheared off by now. So I started the process yesterday and I'm kinda surprised at what I have found.

Front differential : gear oil still extremely light honey colored but a ton of trash on the magnetic pickup.

Transmission : next up.

Transfer Case : again, clear as all with trash on the magnet.

Rear Differential : Black to Grey. Looked like oil that had been exposed to a lot of moisture. As if I had been through a number of deep water crossings even though I haven't. Magnet had a LOT of trash. Way more than the others and more than I would have expected.

Little Stevie found his rear diff fluid was nasty also @ 28k miles. Fluid was cheap enough so I'm going to give this fill another 5k and see how it drains out. For now I'm guessing there must have been a bunch of assembly lube or gear marking compound from assembly at the plant that polluted it. I don't know but it was as bad as the stuff I drained out of my '76 K20 with 60k or so on it.

So far the only tools I've needed are a ratchet, 10mm Hex socket and a couple of extensions. If you have the Nissan Skid Plates it will make it a big pain in the ass to do some of these. Infact a $5 fluid pump would serve you well in my opinion. At a minimum you'd do well if you remove the skid plate covering the transfer case, else when you drain the fluid it will dump all over the top then spread out and pour through the holes and continue to drip forever.

In my opinion the gaskets on the differentials and transfer case can be reused at-least once. They are crush to fit aluminum pieces that should hold up. I failed to order enough as I thought the transfer case used the same washers as the oil pan so I was in a pinch and reused the rear diff ones and hoped they would crush a bit more.

xxx

I did stick with Valvoline 80w-90 for the front rather than using the same Synthetic Mobil 1 75w-90 I used for the rear.

Your findings on the rear diff are quite consistent with mine. Seems like Nissan needs to require a fluid change after a short break-in period, instead of going 15k before the first inspection. That, and they need to change their inspection to actual fluid replacement.

It will be interesting to see how the fluid comes out next time around...that is, if it's just an initial thing or if these differentials really beat up the oil.

I am definitely interested on how the second one comes out also. I did tow a small enclosed trailer once but I'm talking sub-1500 lbs total and for all of 400 miles. I will be expecting a lot less trash in this go around thats for sure.

xxx

As far as I understand the diff's are marketed as limited but they aren't true lsd's but use that brake biasing crapola.

Hey blink, have you found the part numbers for the crush washers. We have over 35k on ours, so I'm going to change out the diff's soon. Right now I have other priorities, but hopefully in the next couple weeks. Finding time is the hardest part. House hunting is taking over my free time.

boogyman wrote:Hey blink, have you found the part numbers for the crush washers. We have over 35k on ours, so I'm going to change out the diff's soon. Right now I have other priorities, but hopefully in the next couple weeks. Finding time is the hardest part. House hunting is taking over my free time.

http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=394

In the <b>Fluid and Gasket Stuff</b> section.

I know what you mean about housing priorities. Too much going on and never enough time.

Where you looking for a new place?

The place is literally around the corner from my house in Bordentown, but has a 2 car garage to make working on the Pathy easier, plus a pool to cool off in afterwards. So last weekend I was busy getting a bunch of crap out of my house. I'm sure the recycling and trash people were loving me.

By the way, thanks for the link.

Ahh Bordentown, glorious exit 7. I'd be living up that way in Chesterfield if I'd have known the in-laws were selling their farm.

So did you end up needind 3 or 6 of the seals -- Part # 11026-4N200 ??

Also, just off the top of my head I can't remember, and I figure this is fresh in your mind. Stopped by Advanced Auto Parts and picked up 2 of the Mobil1 75W90 and 1 of the Valvo. 80W90. Also one of the 4 or 5 quart jugs of Valv. Dextron (spelling??) transmission fluid that said Nissan Matic D compatable. Before I start draining things, is this enough?

I'm at 27500 miles on my '06 and have towed a 4500lbs boat about 5K miles, and a utility trailer that is about 1200lbs about another 500miles.

I figure I'll have the transmission flush/fill done at the dealer.

xxx

Or you can look in the manual, which tells the quantities. I know, who reads the manual.

Rear final drive oil

1.4L or 3 pt 2 1/2 pt
API GL-5 Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil
(Part No. 999MP-DF200P) or equivalent
*9

Transfer fluid
ATX14B 3.0L or 3 1/8 qt Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF (Continental
U.S and Alaska)


Front final drive oil
0.85 L or 1 3/4 pt
Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil
Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90
API GL-5 Viscosity SAE 80W-90 *6

So looks like I had it right. I didn't happen to have the manual infront of me, but knew Blink just did this job and few days ago and probably had it fresh on his mind.