Service Procedure

Transmission Removal

NOTE:
Ensure that all vehicle components have cooled before starting this procedure. DO NOT set parking brake.

1. Record the radio presets.

2. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and remove the bolt that connects the upper part of the transmission dipstick tube to the engine.

3. Raise the vehicle and place a hydraulic transmission jack under the transmission for support.

Figure 1:

4. Remove the ring gear (revolution) sensor from the left side of the transmission bellhousing (see Figure 1).

5. Reposition the sensor and its harness out of the way to prevent damage when removing the transmission (see Figure 1).

6. Remove the engine undercover (splash shield).

7. Disconnect and remove the starter motor.

8. With the starter motor removed, reach through the opening and disconnect the torque converter from the engine drive plate.

9. Remove the engine gussets (rear engine plates).

10. Drain the transmission fluid.

11. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines.

12. Remove the heat insulator shields that cover the A/T and speed sensor harnesses.

Figure 2:

13. Remove the nuts that secure the A/T and speed sensor harness clamps (see Figure 2).

14. Disconnect the A/T and speed sensor harnesses (see Figure 2).

15. Remove the transmission shift cable from the bracket and shift arm.

Figure 3:

16. Disconnect the lower end of the transmission dipstick tube (see Figure 3).

17. Remove the exhaust tube center brackets and insulator.

18. Remove the transmission cross member.

19. Remove the propeller shaft assembly.

20. Remove the A/T bell housing bolts.

21. Remove the transmission.

NOTE:
Do not send the old transmission (core) to Nissan or Williams Technology.

22. Remove the propeller shaft center bearing bracket. Save the two bolts for reuse.

Transmission Damper Installation

Figure 4:

23. Place the new transmission on a transmission jack, then install the new damper (P/N 11375-2W101KT) to the new transmission using two new bolts (P/N 11298-2W100KT) (see Figure 4). Tighten the bolts to 21 N-m (2.1 kg-m, 15 ft-lb).

NOTE:
Do not install the damper before placing the transmission on a jack as damage to the damper can occur when hoisting the transmission assembly onto the jack.

Figure 5:

24. Install the new speed sensor (P/N 32702-2W109KT) on the new transmission (see Figure 5). Tighten the bolt to 5 - 7 N-m (0.5 - 0.7 kg-m, 43 - 61 in-lb).

Figure 6:

25. Route and secure the wire harnesses on the transmission as shown (see Figure 6).

Figure 7:

26. Remove the breather tube from the old transmission and install it on the new transmission (see Figure 7).

Transmission/Propeller Shaft Installation

NOTE:
Unless otherwise noted, refer to the table for torque specifications.

27. Replace the O-ring on the lower A/T fluid dipstick tube with the new one (P/N 31084-20300).

28. Position the new A/T assembly inside the transmission tunnel.

CAUTION:
Ensure that the A/T fluid dipstick tube is positioned in the transmission before installing the assembly to the engine. Failure to position the dipstick tube prior to installation may result in damage to the tube.

Figure 8:

29. Install the new A/T assembly and the old rear plates (gussets) to the A/T bellhousing. Reuse the bolts from the original A/T bellhousing and tighten the bolts according to Figure 8.

30. Re-connect the torque converter to the engine drive plate. Tighten bolts to 44 - 59 N-m (4.5 - 6.0 kg-m, 33 - 43 ft-lb).

31. Re-install the starter motor.

32. Re-install the cooler tubes using new copper washers (P/N 21626-32U00).

33. Re-install the ring gear (revolution) sensor into the bellhousing.

CAUTION:
Ensure that the ring gear and rear O2 sensor wires are not stretched too tightly or they may be broken or pulled apart by normal movements of the drive train.

34. Re-connect the shift cable to the A/T shift arm.

35. Re-connect the exhaust tube center brackets and insulator.

36. Re-install the rear engine mount crossmember.

37. Route the speed sensor and A/T harnesses toward their connectors and secure them to the underbody of the vehicle with the harness clamps.

38. Re-connect the transmission and speed sensor harnesses connectors.

39. Re-install the original harness heat shields.

40. Install the new propeller shaft (P/N C7000-2W100) and center bearing mount (P/N 74316-2W600) as follows:

Figure 9:

A. For 1996-97 vehicles, position the propeller shaft so that the blue or yellow mark on the rear of the propeller shaft is aligned with the white or yellow mark on the differential companion flange (see Figure 9).

Figure 10:

B. For 1998-99 vehicles, position the propeller shaft so that the blue or yellow mark on the rear of the propeller shaft is aligned with the white or yellow mark on the dust cover (see Figure 10).

C. Once the propeller shaft is positioned, insert the four new nuts and bolts into the flanges of the propeller shaft and differential. Do not tighten the nuts and bolts at this time.

D. Rotate the propeller shaft so the maximum run-out mark (white or yellow) on the differential companion flange is in the top position (see Figure 9 or 10).

E. Pull down on the propeller shaft while equally tightening the four nuts and bolts to 69 - 78 N-M (7 - 8 kg-m, 51 - 58 ft-lb).

NOTE:
Make sure the maximum run-out mark on the differential companion flange remains in the top position while tightening the nuts and bolts.

F. Install the center bearing/bracket assembly and tighten the mounting bolts to 43 - 55 N-m (4.4 - 5.6 kg-m, 32 - 41 ft-lb).

41. Re-install the engine undercover (splash shield).

42. Re-install the upper end of the A/T dipstick tube.

43. Check the A/T fluid level and add fluid as needed.

Rear Stabilizer Bar Connecting Rod Removal and Installation

NOTE:
Use the following procedure to replace one stabilizer bar connecting rod at a time.

Figure 11:

44. Support the rear differential with a support jack (see Figure 11).

Figure 12:

45. Remove two nuts and remove the stabilizer bar connecting rod (see Figure 12).

46. Install the new stabilizer bar connecting rod using the old bushings and washers and new nuts. Tighten the upper mounting nut to 25 - 32 N-m (2.6 - 3.3 kg-m, 19 - 24 ft-lb) and tighten the lower mounting nut to 41 - 47 N-m (4.2 - 4.8 kg-m, 30 - 35 ft-lb).

47. Repeat steps 45 and 46 for the opposite side stabilizer connecting rod.

Lower Rear Suspension Links Removal and Installation

NOTE:
Use the following procedure to replace one suspension link at a time.

Figure 13:

48. Remove the parking brake cable and ABS wire harness from the lower rear suspension link (see Figure 13).

49. Remove the nuts and bolts that secure the lower suspension link. Remove the link from the vehicle (see Figure 12).

50. Position the new suspension link and install its mounting bolts/nuts finger tight only.

51. Tighten the link mounting bolts/nuts to specification (see Figure 12 for torque specifications).

IMPORTANT:
Before tightening the link mounting bolts/nuts, the rear axle must be positioned in its normal ride height. Use one of the two procedures listed below to correctly position the axle before tightening the link mounting bolts/nuts:

^ Place the vehicle on the ground.

^ With the vehicle on the lift, support the rear axle with jack stands and slowly lower the vehicle lift until the rear lift arm pads just separate from the vehicle. Stop lowering the lift as soon as the gap between the lift arm pads and the vehicle is 1/2 inch.

52. Re-install the parking brake cable and ABS wiring harness to the suspension link.

53. Repeat steps 48 through 52 for the opposite side lower suspension link.

54. Re-connect the battery cable and re-program the radio stations.

Application of Notification Stickers

Figure 14:

55. Apply the set of three Notification Stickers to the appropriate locations on the vehicle (see Figure 14) as follows:

A. Apply the largest sticker to the inside back cover of the Owner's Manual.

B. Apply the sticker with the border around it to the underside of the front hood next to the emissions label.

NOTE:
Clean the painted surface of the hood before applying the sticker. Do not apply the sticker to the underhood liner.

C. Apply the sticker without the border around it to the driver's side door jamb beneath the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.

NOTE:
Clean the painted surface of the door jamb before applying the sticker.

NOTE:
Additional Notification Stickers can be ordered from Dyment at 1-800-247-5321 (refer to the Parts Information section of this bulletin for the Notification Sticker P/Ns).

56. Test drive the vehicle to ensure the incident is resolved.