Driveshaft repair

General information about the first-generation Nissan Maxima in the US. What was the Datsun 810 became the luxury leader Maxima in the US in 1981.

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asavage
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Driveshaft repair

#1

Post by asavage »

The u-joints on Gen1 Maximas are non-serviceable units. That means that the u-joints are not replaceable nor greaseable. Nissan meant for the driveshaft to be replaced when the u-joints fail.

[I last ran into this issue on a '77 B210 in the mid-80s. The rig had a terrible vibration at low & high speeds, caused by a siezed u-joint. I called the dealer: $200 for a new driveshaft -- in stock! I called a driveline place: $210 for a new, fabricated driveshaft with replaceable, greaseable u-joints installed. I went witht the latter. So I was prepared for this issue.]

I have a JY driveshaft with a notchy front joint, and my '82 Wagon would like a new driveshaft, so I sent this email to Drivelines Northwest:
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2006 10:15 PM
To: Drivelines NW
Subject: RFQ: rebuild or replace driveline: 1982 Maxima Wagon

Hello:

I have a spare two-piece driveline for my 1982 Nissan (Datsun) Maxima (810) Wagon that has a "notchy" front joint. This wagon has the LD28 engine (diesel) with a bonded rubber section in the short front shaft (between the front u-joint and the center companion flange). The u-joints
are apparently non-serviceable. Unit came from a vehicle with 234k miles.

I am unaware of the economics of rebuilding the existing vs. having a replacement fabbed. Can you educate me?
I received a reply today:
Hello, Al
We can fix this a couple different ways, first is to rebuild your existing shaft changing the ends to have replaceable joints which would run about $500.00 to $600.00 the other option is to build a 1 piece shaft for about $400.00. It takes about a day to do either one.


If we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Have A Great Day!

R.Shannon
Drivelines NW Inc.
1943 4th Ave So.
Seattle WA 98134
800-552-7647
fax 206-622-7609
RShannon@Drivelinesnw.com
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
davehoos
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Location: Karuah Valley,NSW Australia
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#2

Post by davehoos »

in japan the shaft is serviced as a complete item.

australian datsun/nissan shafts are locally made hardy spicer/repco[the company name often changes over time].the joints are common unit used by all local OZ manufactures.the ends are sold seporatly just not the tubing.

Import models have the non servicable joint.you measure the cup dia and the width and you find that its a common size.if you cant get a listing let me know and i make enquires as to a part number.i normallly go to a bearing trader and ask for an import nissan joint ,the local agents are good the Kiwi are better..i purchased some joint in seporate pieces.
I have several late skylines with all sorts of size joints but older types are standard sizes.

the cups are pressed in and the yoke is bruised over.so no retainer clips.i find its better to destroy the cross,the press out the cups.the hard bit is refitting with the shaft inline.

in early days we reamed out the yoke to take local joint.i found that i could replace the cups with no dramas.when swaping to a jap import trans into a local built car i would buy 2 joints local and import in the same brand,then mix them..local shaft,import yoke.

the australian made 910 uses local shaft.the joints used are the same as the 3.3 liter GM,and most other similar and smaller cars.there is a competition version of this joint to suit small V8.nissan RB30 powered cars use a larger joint.all locally made parts.

I never payed that much money for a tail shaft.but i know import gen new shafts fot 300ZX is a lot more than the price shown.
WCJR31 Skyline.3.0 manual.wagon
R31 SKYLINE/Passage GT/PINTARA
LPG Ford Falcon 99-06 93 Disco
Local Shire Southern Zone Mechanic.
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asavage
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#3

Post by asavage »

$500 to have one made from scratch, or $550 for a brand-new OEM one, plus $74 shipping.

Because only one u-joint has obvious symptoms, I think I'll cut out the joint, knock out the caps, and run the yokes down to the local machine shop and discuss options.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
davehoos
Posts: 525
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Karuah Valley,NSW Australia
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#4

Post by davehoos »

i was in the local parts shop today.uni joint for import nissan/subaru
small dia.suited subaru up to mid 80's,240-260-280Z,most other nissan RWD cars.front tailshaft WD21[pathfinder].
large type.utes vans and some RWD sedans.

the larger one was 4 mm bigger.
they had these on the shelf in several brands.AU$18.99ea
supplied with circlips.
WCJR31 Skyline.3.0 manual.wagon
R31 SKYLINE/Passage GT/PINTARA
LPG Ford Falcon 99-06 93 Disco
Local Shire Southern Zone Mechanic.
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kassim503
Posts: 1027
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#5

Post by kassim503 »

I just returned from a trip from Florida yesterday, had lots of fun, im sure my Datsun had fun too (The car has a mind of its own). Ran the car all the way from NY to FL, took me about 16 hours, and I had a partner with me, so we traded off halfway and didnt stop anywhere for the night.

I ran the car at 75 mph for half the distance, and the second half my partner went traffic speed, which is 85 I think, the speedo only goes so far. This car makes a really good road trip car, it has a nice Cadillac ride.

I put the car on a lift to do a damage report when I got back, and I noticed that im able to move the driveshaft back and forth about 1/8-1/4 of a inch. The play is due to the driveshaft bearing in the middle, and its the rubber flexing. Is the rubber supposed to flex this much? Its kinda dry rotted, nothing major, but it has the small hairline cracks that you see on 7 year old tires. Is this good, or does the brg need to get replaced?

Also this is sorta off topic but its part of the driveline. Does anybody know the size of the o-ring for the speedo gear off the top of their head? Also, if I pull the speedo gear out, is the tranny going to dump alot of fluid? Worse case scenario ill have to drive to the parts store without the o-ring on the speedo gear for comparasion.
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#6

Post by goglio704 »

I have similar play in the driveshaft. Normal I think. At least normal for the age of the vehicle anyway.
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#7

Post by goglio704 »

I ran across this a while back, but forgot to post it. This listing is for 83 models, but if you backtrack, I think they support other years. Might be worth checking into if somebody needs a driveshaft.

Discount Nissan Parts
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
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asavage
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Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
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#8

Post by asavage »

To summarize:

Discount Nissan Parts

$223.44 for any of the six driveshafts offered.
$60 core charge.
Free shipping to lower 48 States.
All driveshafts fit gassers or diesels.

Sedan
Manual Transmission, 1291-218
Automatic Transmission (to 5/83), 1291-220
Automatic Transmission (from 6/83), 1291-219

Wagon
Manual Transmission, 1291-222
Automatic Transmission (to 5/83), 1291-223
Automatic Transmission (to 5/83), 1291-224

Armed with those part Nos., I found two other websites that sell the same rebuilt driveshafts, Active Auto Parts seems to have the best price, at $204.40, same core charge, same free shipping.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#9

Post by goglio704 »

Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
User avatar
asavage
Site Admin
Posts: 5431
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
Contact:

#10

Post by asavage »

Not a great price though. I can do as well at locally, and much better if I'm willing to bet on an eBay purchase.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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