Diff pinion gear bearing - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*fliprayzin240sx* · 08-01-2011, 03:50 PM

Anybody ever replaced theirs before? My diff has been making some loud whirring noise when I lift off at high rpm and was told by somebody that its probably the gear bearing. How difficult or complicated is this?

Darius · 08-01-2011, 03:59 PM

hahaha I am in the middle of this right now. If you don't have a press and a bearing separator like this:

Proto 4332 Gear/Bearing Separator 4 3/8 in #2

you'll need to bring it to a shop to have the bearings removed and repressed on the pinion shaft. How do you know it is the pinion bearings (inner or outer) versus the differential bearings? The diff bearings are much less expensive.

Also, is this a new differential? Was the backlash checked on it? The ring gear could be running too tight to the pinion gear.

*fliprayzin240sx* · 08-01-2011, 04:10 PM

This is a used Tomei diff I've had for a couple of years now. I was just told before that the whirring noise is probably the bearing, just going by what I was told so far. Pretty clueless about diffs...

az_240 · 08-01-2011, 06:28 PM

I had this same problem with my Cusco a while back. I just got an s13 open diff (wanted solid mount) and swapped it over.... didn't want to deal with finding and replacing the pinion bearing.

You're doing less work this way and open diffs are fairly cheap to find in good shape.

When replacing make sure EVERYTHING goes in the exact way it came out... Do not interchange shims or parts between the pumpkins. I usually put some white grease on the teeth and spin the diff a bit to ensure correct contact patch after everything is installed.

This is all assuming your pinion bearing is bad and not the output shaft bearings. If the output bearings are bad you'll probably have to order new ones from Tomei.

*fliprayzin240sx* · 08-01-2011, 08:34 PM

Thats the reason I'm asking. The car currently has an open diff. I got my 2 way diff with pumpkin intact, with me. It had a whirring noise to it on decel and figured I can try to toss the 2way into the open diff pumpkin.

So if I swap the 2 way into the open diff, use all the same hardware inside the open diff?

az_240 · 08-02-2011, 12:15 AM

So the car makes no noise with the open diff? (Transmissions can make a whirring sound on decel too...input shaft bearing)

If you're sure it's the 2 way making the noise I'd crack open that pumpkin and put some white grease on the teeth to check contact patch and check for side to side play while you're at it. Wipe clean when finished.

If everything is solid try spinning the diff to see if you can hear anything from any of the 3 bearings. If the pinion bearing is bad just swap pumpkins. If the output/axle bearings are bad you'll probably have to order new ones from Tomei or OEM Nissan which may have to be pressed on.

Yes you'll want to use all the same hardware inside the open diff. Install it the exact way it came out. Bearing caps, shims, bolts and everything. I'm not sure it's necessary but I even swapped the ring gears and made sure all the bolt holes were centered. It's really not that hard to do if you have the proper tools.

Tokona-x · 08-03-2011, 09:35 AM

just in case you do need the tool and want to save some money check out harbor freight tool its on sale right now for 40 and if you look around you might find a 20% off coupon

ive actually used the tool and it works good check it out
Bearing Separator and Puller Set

BoostSlideWayz · 07-24-2015, 09:57 PM

I know this is an old thread, but i recently have encountered this problem.

In my case however the bearing has broken and chunks have come out luckly not damaging anything in its path.

The biggest problem i'm having however is actually getting the pinion gear out of the pumkin.

I know some tools have been posted to remove the bearings from the pinion itself but is there any methods anyone can recommend for getting the pinion out ? Im considering asking a shop to take it out but then again i know they will ask probably 40-50 maybe more just to press it out.

jr_ss · 07-25-2015, 06:21 AM

Have you removed the diff itself? It should tap out with a hammer.

$750_silvia · 03-17-2016, 05:38 PM

Easiest way would be to place it on a press and just push it out. Just make sure to have your hand underneath or something soft for the pinion to fall onto.

Harbor Freight sells a 12 ton one for $150 which would be a third of what the shop wants and I guarantee you will find many other uses for it.

jedi03 · 03-18-2016, 07:00 AM

ya get that press...will be very useful...bulky but cheaper than shop doing it..plus you will know its either done completely correct or completely wrong...either way you will learn and know your car in and out!

08-01-2011, 03:50 PM	#1
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	Diff pinion gear bearing Anybody ever replaced theirs before? My diff has been making some loud whirring noise when I lift off at high rpm and was told by somebody that its probably the gear bearing. How difficult or complicated is this? __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

08-01-2011, 04:10 PM	#3
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	This is a used Tomei diff I've had for a couple of years now. I was just told before that the whirring noise is probably the bearing, just going by what I was told so far. Pretty clueless about diffs... __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

08-01-2011, 08:34 PM	#5
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	Thats the reason I'm asking. The car currently has an open diff. I got my 2 way diff with pumpkin intact, with me. It had a whirring noise to it on decel and figured I can try to toss the 2way into the open diff pumpkin. So if I swap the 2 way into the open diff, use all the same hardware inside the open diff? __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

08-02-2011, 12:15 AM	#6
az_240 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phx Posts: 3,097 Trader Rating: (41) Feedback Score: 41 reviews	So the car makes no noise with the open diff? (Transmissions can make a whirring sound on decel too...input shaft bearing) If you're sure it's the 2 way making the noise I'd crack open that pumpkin and put some white grease on the teeth to check contact patch and check for side to side play while you're at it. Wipe clean when finished. If everything is solid try spinning the diff to see if you can hear anything from any of the 3 bearings. If the pinion bearing is bad just swap pumpkins. If the output/axle bearings are bad you'll probably have to order new ones from Tomei or OEM Nissan which may have to be pressed on. Yes you'll want to use all the same hardware inside the open diff. Install it the exact way it came out. Bearing caps, shims, bolts and everything. I'm not sure it's necessary but I even swapped the ring gears and made sure all the bolt holes were centered. It's really not that hard to do if you have the proper tools. Last edited by az_240; 03-20-2015 at 04:08 AM..

08-03-2011, 09:35 AM	#7
Tokona-x Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: 909 Posts: 1,298 Trader Rating: (140) Feedback Score: 140 reviews	just in case you do need the tool and want to save some money check out harbor freight tool its on sale right now for 40 and if you look around you might find a 20% off coupon ive actually used the tool and it works good check it out Bearing Separator and Puller Set __________________ I have five speed bolts if you need any Custom 2+2 E brake Cable brackets sold here!!!!!

08-01-2011, 03:59 PM	#2
Darius Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 346 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	hahaha I am in the middle of this right now. If you don't have a press and a bearing separator like this: Proto 4332 Gear/Bearing Separator 4 3/8 in #2 you'll need to bring it to a shop to have the bearings removed and repressed on the pinion shaft. How do you know it is the pinion bearings (inner or outer) versus the differential bearings? The diff bearings are much less expensive. Also, is this a new differential? Was the backlash checked on it? The ring gear could be running too tight to the pinion gear.

08-01-2011, 06:28 PM	#4
az_240 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phx Posts: 3,097 Trader Rating: (41) Feedback Score: 41 reviews	I had this same problem with my Cusco a while back. I just got an s13 open diff (wanted solid mount) and swapped it over.... didn't want to deal with finding and replacing the pinion bearing. You're doing less work this way and open diffs are fairly cheap to find in good shape. When replacing make sure EVERYTHING goes in the exact way it came out... Do not interchange shims or parts between the pumpkins. I usually put some white grease on the teeth and spin the diff a bit to ensure correct contact patch after everything is installed. This is all assuming your pinion bearing is bad and not the output shaft bearings. If the output bearings are bad you'll probably have to order new ones from Tomei.

07-24-2015, 09:57 PM	#8
BoostSlideWayz Nissanaholic! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lebec Age: 36 Posts: 1,686 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I know this is an old thread, but i recently have encountered this problem. In my case however the bearing has broken and chunks have come out luckly not damaging anything in its path. The biggest problem i'm having however is actually getting the pinion gear out of the pumkin. I know some tools have been posted to remove the bearings from the pinion itself but is there any methods anyone can recommend for getting the pinion out ? Im considering asking a shop to take it out but then again i know they will ask probably 40-50 maybe more just to press it out. __________________ 1994 toyota supra...... n-a D= 1992 nissan 240sx KA24E-T fully Built =D

07-25-2015, 06:21 AM	#9
jr_ss Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pa Posts: 6,415 Trader Rating: (35) Feedback Score: 35 reviews	Have you removed the diff itself? It should tap out with a hammer. __________________ My SR20VET Does your VTC gear rattle in your S14/15 SR? PM me.

03-17-2016, 05:38 PM	#10
$750_silvia Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 9 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Easiest way would be to place it on a press and just push it out. Just make sure to have your hand underneath or something soft for the pinion to fall onto. Harbor Freight sells a 12 ton one for $150 which would be a third of what the shop wants and I guarantee you will find many other uses for it.

03-18-2016, 07:00 AM	#11
jedi03 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: albuquerque Posts: 1,842 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	ya get that press...will be very useful...bulky but cheaper than shop doing it..plus you will know its either done completely correct or completely wrong...either way you will learn and know your car in and out!