How to replace a CV Axle on a R50/ Nissan Pathfinder (96-04)

[@ridefaster6802]

Keep it up with the R50 vids! They are much appreciated

[@passiondriven5648]

Thanks! Will do!

[@byroneckhart9070]

Great job tackling the complicated task.

[@passiondriven5648]

Thank you!

[@jackkuiper8272]

Thanks bro! This is helpful!

[@passiondriven5648]

Glad it helped!

[@ateamx3573]

Where did you buy that axle that looks dope for a lift

[@passiondriven5648]

The axle itself I bought from autozone

[@michelangelopainters5519]

A mechanic replaced the LF strut assembly on mine. When I got the car back it clunked on the way home. And now the axle is completely separated. The mechanic denied doing anything wrong but there were no noises or anything before I took it there. I know this vid is about replacing the axle, but would you know if there is any chance a CV can be damaged or pop out on an R50 while replacing a strut?

[@passiondriven5648]

To my knowledge (not a mechanic) if you let it drop too far or let it just fall, most CV axles can separate. I’m not sure if that’s the case with these CVs. I would check if he put the C- clip back on before putting it all back together

[@michelangelopainters5519]

@@passiondriven5648 Thanks. He says he didn't do anything with the CV axle as he was just replacing the strut, which I guess means he didn't remove the clip.

[@passiondriven5648]

Oh I see! If you get under your car and grab the shaft closest to the wheel and wiggle it around and it moves a lot then yea he must have let the whole assembly droop too low

[@michelangelopainters5519]

@@passiondriven5648 Yeah, when I took it back to the shop after noticing the clunks, they wiggled the CV joint and it moved a LOT. Then after his denial of responsibility, I drove it home again, and now the CV joint is completely separated. and nearly falling out.

[@passiondriven5648]

Yikes! Not good! Hopefully they end up fixing it for you!

[@on1ytheb3st]

I have a fluid film around that section of my axle where the cv axle mates to the diff; is there a diff axle seal there or is it likely the outer grease seal of the cv axle just leaking grease?

[@passiondriven5648]

There’s like a flat plate that just rests between the axle and the diff. What’s happened to me is that the plate comes off (when the CV isn’t on) and the grease that’s inside leaks.

[@on1ytheb3st]

@@passiondriven5648 thanks for insight; yeah the CV hasn’t ever been removed from the vehicle. I believe it’s the original axle. I just want to make sure my diff isn’t leaking oil so I’ll probably open up the fill plug here soon one of these days. Have you had luck with the cv axle brand you went with? One of my cv axle boots is torn where it meets the shaft but no grease has started to leak yet. Plus since they’re original I should probably replace them soon.

[@passiondriven5648]

I went with the axles from autozone just because of the lifetime warranty and so far they’ve been great!

[@bearchef100]

Is that the best way to do that? What would you have done differently?

[@passiondriven5648]

Only thing I would have done differently is take the strut bolts off at the beginning. I was going to try to do it without removing them but it's easier if you do.

[@Mandingobull]

Passion Driven The easiest way to do this is unbolt the control arm front bolt only. It will allow the axle to slide out sideways

[@passiondriven5648]

@@Mandingobull I was trying to avoid removing a lot of things, I messed up at first but ill give that a try next time!

[@zmoorer]

How has the axle held up? I can't remember, do you have a lift?

[@passiondriven5648]

I did have a lift. It held up great up until I crashed the truck 😭

[@77FINNBEAR]

Hey Any experience replacing seal on the rear diff that joins cv axel?

[@petermendoza7668]

Also do you not need a torque wrench for putting those final 2 bolts in?

[@rdnetwork868]

Hey is this a 4x4? Mine is a rear wheel drive and doesnt even have that CV joint

[@passiondriven5648]

Yea only 4x4 has the front CVs

[@edjo3430]

My axle doesn't move side to side, but it goes in and out a little bit. Is it time for an axle change in my case?

[@passiondriven5648]

The axle does have a little bit of play. Unless there's bad clunking, you should be fine

[@ryanbuchner2792]

Will a bad cv axel make that side of the vehicle shake ?

[@passiondriven5648]

I'm not 100% sure but it could be depending on how bad it is but it could be that your tires need to be balanced. I would start there

[@petermendoza7668]

Is this the same process for a 95 ptahfinder

[@AndreaRamirez-nl2um]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@craigandcherylellingworth5033]

Next time just drop the control arm. You'll have the whole job done in 30 minutes

[@passiondriven5648]

Thanks!

[@StraightLine_MTB]

If you drop the front bolt in control arm will you need alignment after?