0 Datsun 1968-76 Drive Axles Repair Manual

1968-74 DATSUN INTEGRAL HOUSING (I.R.S)

MODELS COVERED

• 510 (1968-72)
• 610 Sedan and Hardtop (1973-74)
• 240Z (1970-73)
• 260Z (1974)

DESCRIPTION

The axle assembly is the hypoid gear type with integral carrier housing. The pinion bearing preload adjustment is made with a spacer and washer between the front and rear bearing cones. The differential side bearing preload and the pinion depth adjustment are made by shims. Driving power is transmitted to the rear axle by ball spline type driveshaft with universal joints at both ends.

AXLE RATIO AND IDENTIFICATION

All Datsun models with Independent Rear Suspension (I.R.S.), use one basic type rear axle assembly. Any differences in Removal and Installation or Overhaul procedures will be noted where they occur. To determine axle ratio, divide number of ring gear teeth by number of pinion teeth.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Axle Shaft and Bearings

Removal - Raise and support vehicle and remove wheel and brake drum. Disconnect driveshaft from axle outer flange. Remove wheel bearing lock nut while holding axle shaft outer flange stationary. Using suitable axle stand (ST07640000) and slide hammer, remove axle shaft. Remove wheel bearing spacer, companion flange and bearing washer, then remove inner wheel bearing and oil seal. Remove grease catcher, then press or pull outer wheel bearing from axle shaft. NOTE - Do not reuse old outer wheel bearing.

REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY (MODEL 610 SHOWN)

Installation - To install, reverse removal procedure and note the following: Clean and inspect all parts for wear or damage and replace as necessary. Grease wheel bearings and housing before installation. When installing bearings ensure outer bearing is installed with seal towards wheel and that inner bearing is installed with seal facing differential. A mark "A", "B" or "C" is stamped on axle housing. Ensure that bearing spacer with same mark is installed. Tighten all bolts and nuts and adjust wheel bearings.

Wheel Bearing Adjustment - After tightening wheel bearing lock nut to specification, check that axle shaft end play is .006" (.15 mm) or less. Check that turning torque of axle shaft is less than 1.8 lbs (.8 kg) at hub bolt. If either adjustment is not to specification, disassemble axle shaft assembly and replace bearing spacer.

DRIVE SHAFTS

Removal and Installation - Raise and support rear of vehicle on safety stands. Disconnect drive shaft from axle shaft companion flange. Remove differential side yoke attaching bolt and lift out side yoke and drive shaft as an assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure and note the following: Exercese care when installing assembly to prevent damage to side yoke and oil seal. Tighten all bolts to specifications.

PINION FLANGE AND OIL SEAL

Removal - Drain gear oil from differential, then raise and support rear of vehicle. Disconnect propeller shaft from pinion flange, then if necessary remove muffler and disconnect parking brake cable. On 240Z and 260Z models remove rear stabilizer from vehicle. On all models, remove pinion nut, while holding pinion flange stationary. Using a suitable puller remove pinion flange. Remove oil seal using suitable puller (ST33290001).

Installation - To install, reverse remove procedure and note the following: Apply suitable grease between seal lips before installation. Tighten pinion nut to specifications and ensure pinion bearing preload is correctly adjusted. Fill differential to proper level gear oil.

AXLE ASSEMBLY

Removal - Raise and support rear of vehicle. On all models except 240Z and 260Z disconnect parking brake cable from turnbuckle. On 240Z and 260Z models, remove main muffler. On all models, disconnect propeller shaft from axle assembly. On 240Z and 260Z models, loosen front side transverse link inner bolts. On all models, remove axle drive shafts. Support axle assembly on a jack, then remove nuts on both ends of axle assembly rear mounting member. Remove axle assembly front mount attaching bolts, lower assembly on jack and remove from vehicle. NOTE -On all models except 240Z and 260Z, support suspension member tor prevent damage to insulators.

Installation - To install, reverse removal procedure and note the following: Install same size mounting spacer between axle assembly and front mount. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specifications and fill assembly to correct level with gear oil.

DRIVE SHAFT OVERHAUL

DISASSEMBLY

DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY

NOTE - Drive shaft should be disassembled only to lubricate ball spline.

Remove universal joint from differential end of drive shaft. Remove snap ring from sleeve yoke plug and remove plug. Compress drive shaft and remove snap ring from stopper, then remove stopper. Disconnect boot and separate drive shaft carefully as not to loose balls and spacers.

DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY

INSPECTION

Check rubber boot and oil seeds for damage and replace as necessary. Inspect drive shaft for straightness, crack, damage and distortion and replace drive shaft if necessary. Check all other drive shaft assembly if any faulty part is found. Check drive shaft play as shown in illustration and replace complete assembly if play exceeds .004" (1 mm). NOTE - Measurement should be taken with drive shaft fully compressed.
REASSEMBLY

FIG. 4 REMOVING SIDE RETAINER
(610 MODEL)

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure and note the follwing: Align yokes and ensure steel balls and spacers are installed in correct order. Adjust axial play of universal joint to within .0008" (.02 mm) by selecting proper size snap ring. NOTE - Snap rings are available in four sizes: .0587" (1.49 mm); .0598" (1.52 mm); ..0610" (1.55 mm); .0622" (1.58 mm). Apply grease to ball grooves and oil grooves.
AXLE ASSEMBLY AND OVERHAUL
1) Mount axle assembly on suitable holding fixture. Remove rear mounting member and axle assembly cover plate. Using suitable puller, remove side reatainers and shims (610), or side flange, bearing cap screws, caps and shims (280Z) NOTE - Mark retainers or bearing caps and shims for reassembly. Left and right sides are not interchangeable. If side bearings on the 610 model are to be replaced, remove bearing outer race from side retainer using a suitable puller.

FIG. 5 REMOVING PINION
GEAR BEARING INNER
RACE

2) Hold pinion flange stationary and remove pinion nut, then using suitable puller, remove pinion flange. Press drive pinion from carrier and remove rear bearing inner race, bearing spacer and adjusting washers. Remove oil seal. Remove pilot bearing together with pilot bearing spacer and front bearing inner race. Press rear bearing inner race from drive pinion. Using a drift, remove front and rear bearing outer races.
3) To disassemble differential case, use suitable puller and remove side bearings. NOTE - Keep left and right side bearings separate, they are not interchangeable. Remove ring gear by unfolding lock strap and loosening bolts. Punch off pinion shaft lock pin from ring gear side, then remove pinion shaft, pinion gears, side gears and thrust washers. NOTE - Mark gears and thrust washers for instaallation in their original position. Thoroughly clean and inspect all parts for wear or damage and repair or replace as necessary.

REASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENT

FIG. 7 MEASURING SIDE BEARING WIDTH

FIG. 6 MEASURING SIDE GEAR
CLEARANCE

Differential Case Assembly - 1) Assemble pinion gears, side gears and thrust washers in original position in differential case. Fit pinion shaft to differential case so that it aligns with lock pin holes. Adjust side gear-to-pinion gear backlash or adjust clearance between rear face of side gear and thrust washer. Install pinion shaft lock pin and lock in place with punch.
2) Apply gear oil to gear tooth surface and thrust surfaces and ensure gears rotate smoothly. Install ring gears on differential case and install bolts and new lock washers. NOTE -Tighten ring gear bolts diagonally while tapping around bolt heads with a hammer.

MEASURING DRIVE SHAFT PLAY

3) When replacing side bearings, measure bearing width with a .787" (20 mm) gauge and 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) weight block. Bearing width should be slightly smaller than gauge. Press fit side bearing inner race on differential case and side bearing outer race into side retainers. Install new oil seal on side retainer and apply grease to cavity between seal lips.

Drive Pinion Preload - 1) NOTE - Perform adjustment without pinion shaft oil seal installed. Press fit and rear bearing outer races into gear carrier. Insert suitable dummy shaft spacer (ST31851000), pinion height adjusting spacer and rear bearing inner race into suitable dummy shaft (ST31212000).

2) Fit drive pinion bearing spacer, washer, front bearing inner race, suitable dummy shaft collar (ST31214000) and pinion flange on dummy shaft and tighten drive pinion nut to specified torque.

ADJUSTING DRIVE PINION PRELOAD

3) Measure pinion bearing preload using suitable preload gauge (ST31275000) and select washer and spacer that will provide specified preload. NOTE - Preload of old bearing is the same as that of a new bearing. Pinion bearing adjusting washers are available in thicknesses of .0906-.1024" (2.3-2.6 mm). Pinion bearing adjusting spacers are available in lengths at 2.2126-2.22520" (56.2-57.2 mm) on 610 models and 2.0551-2.0945" (52.2-53.2 mm) on all other models.

DRIVE PINION HEIGHT - 1) Install suitable height gauge (ST3121000) on gear carrier with dummy shaft mounted. Measure clearance between tip end of height gauge and end surface of dummy shaft. Thickness of drive pinion height adjusting washer can be obtained by the following formula.

MEASURING DRIVE PINION HEIGHT

T=W + N - (H - D' - S) x.01 - .2

NOTE - Formula values are give in Millimeters

T = Thickness of adjusting washer needed.

W = Thickness of washer temporarily installed.

N = Clearance between gauge and dummy shaft.

D' = Figure marked on dummy shaft

S = Figure marked on height gauge

NOTE - If values signifying H, D, and S are not given, regard them as zero.

2) Fit correct pinion adjusting washer in drive pinion and press fit rear bearing inner race. Lubricate pinion front and rear bearings, then install drive pinion in carrier along with drive pinion bearing spacer and washer, front bearing race, front bearing pilot spacer, pilot bearing and oil seal. Install pinion flange and tighten pinion nut to specifications

Side Bearing Preload - 1) Required thickness of left and right side retainer shims can be obtained by the following formulas

SIDE BEARING PRELOAD FORMULA VALUES

T1 = (A + C + G1 - D) X .01 + .76 - E

T2 = (B + D+ G2) X .01 + .76 - F

NOTE  - Formula values are given in millimeters

T1 = Required thickness of left side retainer shim.

T2 = Required thickness of right side retainer shim.

A & B = Figure marked on gear carrier.

C & D = Figure marked on differential case. 

E & F = Difference in width of left or right bearing.

G1 and G2 = Figure marked on left or right retainers.

NOTE - If values signifying A,B,C,D,G1 and G2 are not given, regard them as zero.

2) Install differential case assembly in gear carrier in reverse order of disassembly. Fit correct shims and "O" ring seal in both side retainers and install retainers in carrier with arrow pointing as shown in illustration.

SIDE BEARING PRELOAD IDENTIFICATION MARKS

INSTALLING SIDE RETAINER

3) Using dial indicator, remove ring gear-to-drive pinion backlash and adjust if necessary. Check side bearing preload, and adjust if necessary by adding or removing side retainer shims. NOTE - If side bearing preload is readjusted, ring gear-to-drive pinion backlash must be checked and adjusted. If necessary

Final Inspection and Assembly - After all adjustments are to specifications, make tooth contact pattern test and make any necessary correction. See Gear Tooth Contact Pattern of beginning of this section. Install rear cover and tighten nuts to specifications. Refill axle assembly to correct level with gear oil.

MEASURING RING GEAR BACKLASH

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