Nissan Leaf Transmission/Gearbox Teardown

[@clayton132]

Interesting tear down! Enjoying the mesh between the good old mechanical side and the modern electrical side of this tractor build! These extra technical videos are much appreciated, always nice to know how things work at their core. Cheers

[@timw1971]

Great video. That gearbox is so simple! Just three axles.

[@xboxice2005]

If you play with rc u'll see how similar they are lol :)

[@ericapelz260]

Inverters can cause serious damage to bearings from induced voltage. Industrial and HVAC motos on Variable Frequency Drives have similar brush arrangements to protect the bearings.

[@Moocowthegreat]

These gears are what propelled me into oncoming traffic

[@xboxice2005]

The Nissan leaf gear box is kinda like an rc gear train :)

[@ronmorrell9809]

Terminology clarification. The black metal assembly is the parking "pawl" activated by the P button on the gear selector knob,or by turning off the ignition. The electronic parking brake activated by the hinged switch is on each rear wheel. It either engages the rear disk calipers or small brake shoes in the center of the rear wheel (surrounded by the disk). It uses friction to stop a moving car (the pawl and/or the teeth it engages would be destroyed whilst locking up the front drive shafts instantly).

[@fastbike9845]

Yes, I was going to point out that the parking brake operates on the rear wheels (either foot pedal or electric depending on model), and the pawl in the gear box is only the 'P' selector

[@dorhocyn3]

That brush assembly for anti-static is pretty interesting

[@ThalassTKynn]

I wonder if there's a limited slip diff that would fit in this gearbox. Hrm.

[@alanswanson1952]

Don't you want to use the gear box to bring the rpm's down? If you could lock the differential could you run a hydraulic pump off the other side?

[@FrankGraffagnino]

question: do you know where i can find information on how to operate/drive that parking brake motor?

[@marjuspjeci4097]

Ciao che riduzione ha il cambio cioe voglio dire per avere 1 giro in uscito quanti giri devo dare ingresso ??

[@pangit9999]

Wow, so simple compared to a complex traditional gearbox! No wonder the dealers hate electric cars, they are so reliable they never need repair!

[@BuddhikaAriyaratne]

Well Said. Can't agree more.

[@algrayson8965]

Not quite. While electric cars require much less maintenance, every one comes with a maintenance schedule. I just drained and refilled the transmission of my ’15 Leaf. The oil (Nissan S ATF) was black. Very slight fuzz on the level and drain plug magnets. Two quarts less than $25 from the Nissan dealer. Cheaper than anything online. The Leaf got a new Interstate 12 volt battery in April. A new rear wiper squeegee in August. Bought a 28” economy wiper blade, pulled the squeegees out of both, cut the 28” one to the Leaf wiper frame, slipped it in with the original metal strips. I am going to replace brake fluid, which is a required service every two years. We got a better deal on a set of tires for our Odyssey from the Honda dealer than we could find anywhere else.

[@nickmccain6598]

@@algrayson8965 how many quarts does it need after you drained the transmission?

[@algrayson8965]

@@nickmccain6598- The fluids specifications are in the Owner’s Manual. For the 2015 Nissan Leaf the amount of Nissan S ATF is 1½ US quarts. I don't know why a set of helical gears and some roller bearings would be particular about the oil but a couple of quarts of the Nissan supplied fluid was about $20 at a Nissan dealer. That was the lowest price that I found. The instructional videos that I found only mentioned the level and drain plugs. None mentioned the fill plug on top of the reduction gear box. They had the viewer to fill through the level plug on the side of the gearbox. The level and drain plugs each have a magnet, which I mentioned in my comment. A small amount of fuzz is normal after 50,000 miles. This fuzz results from the burnishing of the gears during break-in. At a subsequent drain and fill at 100,000 miles no additional fuzz should accumulate. Most of the time of this service is taken removing and reinstalling the fiberboard bottom panel.

[@nickmccain6598]

@@algrayson8965 cool. I plan on getting a used leaf this weekend. I guess the guy had a faulty battery. So it should almost be like 3 years old instead of 8 years old cause its 2012. So I'll drain the transmission and put some new brake fluid in it by using my wife's leg power. Anything else I should change when I get it? I'm really excited to get a RC car that I can drive but am also nervous. I built 2 v8 motors in high school with my Dad. He is gonna flip out when I drive to his house

[@jimsworthow531]

hello, i have been watching your videos and i want to re power a 51 willys jeep with a motor like this. does that trans/gear redux have a limited slip for each side of the outputs? In my application i would make a shaft using the rear facing out put and connect it to my transfer case. the problem would be if it was limited slip or clutched; i desire all the reduced rpm power exiting from just one side. thanks for sharing.

[@MarkVaughanTN]

Benjamin, could this motor/gearbox be utilized with a single output shaft? (instead of each wheel being driven by it's own axle). I'm considering the Leaf drivetrain for a rear wheel drive car (MGB) and I'm trying to get my brain around how I might connect the electric drivetrain to the OEM driveshaft and differential.

[@instantchow]

So does anyone use the cases of the final drive here as an adapter for there projects? Seems like it could be a way to keep the output spine part.

[@skills4U2]

I have question, does the oil in the nissan leaf gear need to be changed?

[@sailorkaren]

Yes, at 100,000 miles

[@propelproject]

I wonder if this gearbox can handle full power from netgain Hyper9 AC motor. Would be a cheaper alternative then a tesla swap.

[@FireCrowsWorkshop]

So if one had a desire, then should be able to easily upgrade the Leaf and make it faster just by changing the gearing ratio. Neat! Thank you Ben!

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

I think the Leaf will top out at 93 MPH. Not sure how fast you want to go in a stock car! Would be cool to have EVs as part of NASCAR though!

[@FireCrowsWorkshop]

@@BenjaminNelsonX I wasn't necessarily considering the top speed, but I'm toying with an idea of putting whole drive train from Leaf in much lighter vehicle, my main goal would be to improve the acceleration though, and different gearing could improve that too. Since the vehicle would be smaller, top speed wouldn't be my main goal. I probably should have used word quicker, rather faster

[@alexgoryuk]

Жоброго чясу хочу купити leaf 2 після утоплення ( вода ) З Кпнади. Яка ваша думка ? коробка( редуктор ) EPDM модуль Високовольтна батарея Захищіні від морской солі ? Дякую

[@petcurry947]

So the engine/motor is cooled by coolant, does this gearbox have transmission fluid?

[@algrayson8965]

Pet, the fluids specifications are in the Owner’s Manual. The 2015 Nissan Leaf reduction gearbox calls for 1½ US quarts of Nissan S ATF. No drain and fill schedule is mentioned in the service schedule that is with the Owner’s Manual; only to check the level. Elsewhere I have found 50,000 miles recommended for changing the fluid.

[@algrayson8965]

Electric motors are only rarely called “engine.” Calling internal combustion motors “engines” seems to be an English language thing. “Engine” is “an ingenious, or clever, invention.” Thus “engine” lathe, cotton “gin.” “Motor” < Latin mōtor = mover.

[@akhundjafang7098]

Amazing video

[@ricardo-iw9sq]

Hi thank you for your detailed easy way of stripping it down and explaining, I have one question you've probably been asked this before but could the motor be modified to be a off grid generator either by wind or hydro. I have no idea when it comes to electronics but I can hammer and weld anything.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

You could, but it would be wild three-phase alternating current. Read up on some Wind forums about how wild 3-phase can be used for off-grid setups.

[@ricardo-iw9sq]

@@BenjaminNelsonX thanks for getting back as I said I know very little, the great thing with you tube is has many good guys like your self that are reusing stuff and giving your knowledge, I had the chance to buy a damaged leaf for £1000 complete but haven't worked out how to re configure the motor and battery to use as off grid.

[@Mohamed-403]

thank you for this useful video (y)

[@jamesclifford194]

Would it be possible to run a rear propshaft off of the gearbox to replace an original gearbox in an EV conversion? I'm looking at potential weight saving and I think this box would be lighter than my current one which is probably around 80kg or so.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

I would imagine that you could. Keep in mind that this gear-box has a differential built-in. You would need to lock the one side of it in place. And the differential in the rear axle that the driveshaft goes to would add another layer of gear reduction. You would want to make sure the total gear reduction is appropriate for your project.

[@anonanon9385]

Just a question where the two red caps are on each side of the CVT . Is that where the tbe drive shafts to tbe front wheels are inserted?

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

@@anonanon9385 Yes, the red plastic plugs just fill in where the front wheel drive shafts connect.

[@anonanon9385]

@@BenjaminNelsonX awesome it's a very good design.

[@clemonscg]

Does the transmission turns while the motor turns. I know that it is a stupid question but I am not mechanically smart

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

It is very simple gearing. The motor is directly connected to the gears. The is no clutch or other disconnect mechanism. The gears turn while the motor turns.

[@CountryRoadCycles]

Thanks for the video. Great to see inside this gearbox. Do you know (or any transmission experts out there) if there would be a problem with running this motor/gearbox combination in reverse? I'm looking at using it in a RWD chassis and it would fit must better if I could mount it backwards and then drive the rear wheels. I'm pretty sure the electric motor doesn't care what direction it is going, but not sure about the gearbox.

[@ioncathode]

i dont see any problem to place it in regular position but on rear axle. the main problem would be with default ESP. i plan to use EM57 in lotus 7 replica and separate motor and charger/invertor. battery and electronics will be in front of the car and invertor will be connected with motor using 3-phase wires. and i worried how esp will control slipping wheels, because it tuned and preprogrammed to be at fwd.

[@pepstein]

Consider taking the differential apart to see how it works.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

Not sure I'd get it back together!

[@Hizenbird]

I am trying to diagnose a problem with my 2011 Nissan Leaf. I would describe it as torque steer but I don't know if that's what it actually is... When I give it "gas" it pulls to the right, when I let off the "gas" it pulls back to the left. But it only does this once it's over about 30MPH and it does it in a "binary" or "toggle" fashion. Meaning it will only pull back to the left after pulling to the right. So if I give gas and it pulls to the right then I give more gas/torque it will NOT pull to the right again - only if I let off the gas and it pulls to the left will it pull to the right again after giving it more gas. So it toggles pulling left and right. That's why I think it's different than torque steer. Anyway, I was hoping seeing this could lead me to at least a partial answer. What I CAN see here is that the left and right wheel are NOT being driven independently, it appears that they are both driven from the same gear. Which would mean that the pulling is not a problem originating from the motor but rather something after the half shafts going to the wheels. Any idea where I might look for a solution (The dealer thinks its the rear motor mount but this doesn't make sense to me)

[@brianmellinger7981]

Thanks Ben👍

[@joaolima5267]

Hi. long time since your video... I wonder if it is possible to replace bearings to fix the transmission My leaf is making a lot of noise...

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

Bearings inside this gearbox look similar to any other bearings I've ever seen. I can't think of any reason why they couldn't be readily replaced.

[@joaolima5267]

@@BenjaminNelsonX thanks.

[@lizjmom]

@@BenjaminNelsonX Thank you for the video. My 2013 leaf just started making noise I took it to the only EV mechanic in town they thought the noise was coming from "the trans axle assembly" they said they "removed the fill plug to check the fluid level but the fluid was full but in poor condition also the fill plug which has a magnet on the end was covered in metal from the inside of the transmission they told me the metal is from whatever part inside failed they recommend replacing the transaxle assembly which will cost $3000" I don't have that money this car only has 50,000 miles they didn't suggest any other options like changing the fluid and draining it and unfortunately there's no other mechanic that can look at it any advice please I'm not mechanical at all and this is my only car for myself and my children. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[@dorhocyn3]

Trying to figure out if I could flat toe a leaf behind our Tesla by disconnecting or manually actuating the parking gear. I don’t see any fluid pumps in there. I would like to take the leaf to the beach with us so not to get sand and junk inside of our Tesla and we have unlimited supercharging for free on our older Tesla. Our leaf only has about 25 miles of range left

[@chasemartin4450]

Mechanically there is no reason it can't be flat towed, and it should have a neutral gear. Electronically, you may have problems. Voltages induced in the motor can damage the inverter, which is why no EV manufacturer (to my knowledge) recommends flat towing.

[@justinratley4884]

Is it a locked differential, or is it open? Are both sides locked in the same directing?

[@chasemartin4450]

It's an open diff. Nearly all EVs use them and simply use the extremely fast motor power control + electronic braking to perform "limited slip" functions

[@ayoubaroua5546]

Thanks for this nice video. I'd like to ask a question about the lubrication method used in Nissan Leaf gearbox is it oil spray or oil bath? Thank you

[@tommorgan1291]

On my third Leaf. Current Leaf is 2023 Plus and I loveit! Why? Simplicity as demonstrated here. Highly reliable and fun to drive. My new Plus seems to be complicated for an 87 year old but KZbinrs and my Grandson have been a big help in getting familiar with all the installed new stuff like Pilot and Apple. Especially like One petal driving. Don't know why more prospective EV drivers don't buy Leafs?

[@jacobcarlson4010]

From what I’ve seen, there are 3 reasons that people don’t consider the LEAF line for EVs: The fact that the battery is passively air-cooled, which (literally speaking) results in more degradation when you drive “like a normal person” (even though it also helps to make the battery pack easier to repair/rebuild); then there’s the fact that it “feels old-school/outdated” in terms of technology; and lastly the LEAF name is fairly synonymous with the “weird looking” old body design, given that Nissan waited 7 model years to change it to a more “normal” body design. Personally, I don’t give a damn if it feels old-school or “looks weird”; I just want a reliable vehicle, and combustion engine vehicles have proven to be far from reliable in my personal experience. Have a good one.

[@tommorgan1291]

@@jacobcarlson4010 Spent one terrible winter in Boise and six hot summers in Scottsdale. Noticed no adverse battery issues. Why? It is my understanding that the hot air heater moves air around the pack and conversely move cold aiir conditioner around pack in summer. Audi has discontinued their pump systems because they couldn’t notice any difference.

[@MHdollrevievs]

@@jacobcarlson4010 For normal every day city driving/short trips the Leaf is a great car, Our 2015 Leaf still gets its EPA range.

[@lizjmom]

Thank you for the video. My 2013 leaf just started making noise I took it to the only EV mechanic in town they thought the noise was coming from "the trans axle assembly" they said they "removed the fill plug to check the fluid level but the fluid was full but in poor condition also the fill plug which has a magnet on the end was covered in metal from the inside of the transmission they told me the metal is from whatever part inside failed they recommend replacing the transaxle assembly which will cost $3000" I don't have that money this car only has 50,000 miles they didn't suggest any other options like changing the fluid and draining it and unfortunately there's no other mechanic that can look at it any advice please I'm not mechanical at all and this is my only car for myself and my children. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[@lizjmom]

@benjaminnelson

[@lizjmom]

@BenjaminNelson

[@DaveO1310]

Thanks! Very informative

[@ME-cb1vw]

Do you know the milage of this car? The gearbox looks brand new.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

I think it was 36000 miles.

[@ME-cb1vw]

​@@BenjaminNelsonX thanks.

[@algrayson8965]

As the reduction gear set has no wear following initial break in there is nothing to generate more dirt in the oil (Nissan S ATF). When the gears were brand new they had microscopic roughness to the gear teeth faces, which burnishes off and being steel end up on the level and drain plug magnets.

[@Tuckerclan]

It's fun to watch you tear this down without any knowledge of where you are going. For you it's like climbing a mountain to see what's on the other side. Just be careful of the cliffs and don't fall too far too fast.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

To be fair, I know a LITLLE of what I'm doing.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

Also, every time I do something, I have more knowledge of what I'm doing. I'm always surprised by what strange things that I DO know about. I once took a Wind Technology class through a technical college. We got to peak inside an industrial scale turbine control. It was strange - I actually knew what everything inside did, without ever having worked on one before. It was VERY similar to everything I did under the hood of my electric Geo Metro!

[@sennahtsivqlle]

Whats the weight of the gearbox?

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

It's a little less than 60 pounds.

[@Nicholas-f5]

Is there grease or oil we should change?

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

I bought these parts at a salvage yard. Anything that would have had fluids in it was drained at the yard. There was only just a little oil in this gearbox. I would consult the Nissan Leaf service manual for recommended maintenance.

[@hondaguy9153]

Parking pawl. Parking brake pulls a cable that engages the rear brakes. 😉

[@Dug6666666]

Looks like it could make a tidy reduction drive and diff for a motorbike engine to car install. Just no reverse gear for that application :(

[@s.a.stewart2743]

You should have spun the big gear one revolution, while counting how many times the small shaft (motor) spun. That would tell you the final gear ratio.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

Good idea! I just didn't think of it at the time! Maybe I can put some marks on the gears to make it more visible. At the moment, this is all still on my workbench. No reason I can't still film that.

[@sail4horizon]

BenjaminNelson just count the teeth of each gear that mesh together. Divide the big by the little, say 43:17 = 2.53:1 ratio.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

@@sail4horizon I did, and I got a slightly different number than what was listed as the gear ratio on Wikipedia.

[@sail4horizon]

BenjaminNelson maybe the person that wrote the wiki can't do math :)

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

I just went and did exactly this - spin the big gear, count the revolutions of the small gear. You won't believe what the results are! Video coming soon.

[@pulesjet]

Looks like Road Salt did a number on the case. Glad they don't use that stuff here in the South West.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

I'm assuming the car this came out of was from my area. Yes, salt just melts the undersides of cars around here!

[@offgridwanabe]

Makes me wonder why you need to dismantle it at all why not use the engine inverter the works just add a battery pack to the tractor and you got it all.

[@BenjaminNelsonX]

First of all, it would be pretty hard to do the work of building a motor adapter plate with all the components together. I would NOT use the gearbox with the tractor. One person suggested just connecting the tractor wheels right to the differential of the Leaf gearbox! A tractor transmission and differential is a VERY different thing than an electric car gearbox and differential! The Leaf inverter can NOT be used as stock. It requires the exact right CAN inputs, or at a minimum needs to be modified with a third party board. If I do use the Leaf motor with the tractor (which I would like to do) it needs some careful mounting of the motor to the existing transmission bell-housing, probably a support bearing, and a coupler or (more likely) flywheel connected to it. Besides all that, it's pretty cool for people to see inside!

[@pedromorgan99]

nice music btw..

[@bhaskarparam9711]

Wow wow wow

[@HenkBronkhorst-c8c]

i do not understand why you are talking two differend things if it is metric than measuring metric and not inch that cost nasa a rocket launce.