2nd Gen Xterra Front diff issues?

[ChuckB]

I really like the 2nd Gen X's and have been doing a lot of reading on them. It seems the biggest weak spot is the front diff. I did a search but could only find posts that were a couple months old.

Is there an aftermarket fix yet? Or are most people swapping Titan parts still?

 

[mcm4090]

It's not the diff. The half shaft brakes inside then people drive it destroying the diff.

Swapping a Titan diff is the only upgrade right now but Superior Axle maybe working on a diff.
http://www.nissanoffroad.net/messageboard/index.php?topic=993.msg45254#msg45254


Braking the axle has more to do the driving style. If you like hitting the skinny pedal you will brake it.

I have notice that the X's seem to brake them more then the Frontiers.

 

[The BN Guy]

That's cause we're not as crazy and heavy skinny pedal as you X's are!:ylsmoke:

 

[ChuckB]

Thanks for the update. I need to keep a better eye on this topic. I wouldn't mind an X as a DD.

So is just just the extreme amount of torque that's exerted when the wheel with no traction catches traction that's causing the breakage?

 

[Bergger]

Thanks for the update. I need to keep a better eye on this topic. I wouldn't mind an X as a DD.

So is just just the extreme amount of torque that's exerted when the wheel with no traction catches traction that's causing the breakage?

That is what I believe. It is true the Xterra has a very powerful motor. It' one of the many reasons we like our 2006 so much. I really think it is a superb vehicle. I agree with the above post that it has a lot to do with your driving style. If you are hard on the gas and you pop a fast spinning wheel off the ground there is always a possibility that when it makes contact with the ground something could give. In the Xterra's case it appears to be a half shaft. I do drive conservative off road, with my Tacoma as well, and we've got almost 18k on our Xterra with no issues. The only thing we had to get replace so far was a tire pressure sensor that went bad.

 

[madizell]

The only thing we had to get replace so far was a tire pressure sensor that went bad.

Probably the one item on the vehicle that I would not replace if it failed. I simply can't find a redeeming feature in the TPMS.

 

[Bergger]

Probably the one item on the vehicle that I would not replace if it failed. I simply can't find a redeeming feature in the TPMS.

It helped my wife last week. Sensor went off and she checked the tires and found a nail in one.

 

[mcm4090]

So is just the extreme amount of torque that's exerted when the wheel with no traction catches traction that's causing the breakage?

Yes. Here is a video of a member of NOAS going up a hill when the half shaft broke.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_3h41a-2KLg

 

[ChuckB]

Ouch! How hard is it to fix for some one who is not part of an F1 pit crew?