I need some advice on this problem I'm having with my driver's side axle. I'm leaking MTF from my driver's side axle seal. I got up under the car just now and my axle is really loose at the transmission. I can wiggle it in, out, up, and down about 1/4-1/2 of an inch. I'm pretty sure this is why I'm leaking MTF. The axle is a new O'Reilly Auto axle that I installed maybe 6 months ago. I replaced the seal with a new Nissan part when I did the install.

Is this a bad bearing in the differential that is causing the axle to be loose, a defective axle, or something else? It clunks when I shift sometimes too...like there is a lot of drivetrain play.


Anyone have a similar problem?

Thanks!

Brian

 

I did search btw, I just couldn't find out a clear answer.

The axle didn't leak until the last maybe 3000 miles or so. I have been driving a little more aggressively lately. Could that have made the diff bearing fail? The car has 160,000 miles on the original transmission.

 

Have you tried popping it back in? How does the snap ring look?

 

I haven't removed it yet. It is pushed in as far as it will go and the snap ring looked fine when I installed it originally.

After reading a few more threads I'm pretty sure the driver's side diff carrier bearing is toast. Unfortunately....this means I'll probably just bring the car to Carmax and part ways.

 

damn, well dont give up on it just yet. get the axle out and see whats really going on. worst case scenario a used tranny would cost you $100-200. if you are capable to remove and replace it yourself that is

 

That sucks dude, I don't know how the axle would come loose and able to wiggle it left & right. It's pretty much 0 tolerance when you install/slide the axle into the transmission....

 

certainly a bad differential bearing if you can move the axle up and down while it's properly installed into the transmission.

 

Yeah, that's what I've diagnosed as well. I don't have time to mess with replacing the bearings or swapping the transmission...and I won't pay someone else to do it either. I'm thinking I might just look for an automatic 4th gen, swap my suspension/wheels over, and then sell off the manual car. I could care less about the performance difference...if I wanted a sporty car I wouldn't have a maxima. I just hope an auto would be reliable...

 

maybe a bad oreillets axle? that does not lock into place?

 

I gave up. I bought a '98 SE automatic....

I'll transfer my wheels with new tires, my blues/hr sports, and a few other things...then it's off to carmax with the old car. Stupid crappy nissan manual transmissions!