### Transaxle Assembly

#### REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

##### Sentra and 200SX

1. Disconnect the negative and positive battery cables.
2. Remove the battery and battery bracket.
3. Remove the air duct, air cleaner box and the air flow meter.
4. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it safely.
5. Remove the clutch control cable from the operating lever.
6. Disconnect the speedometer cable from the transaxle.
7. Disconnect the wires from the reverse (back-up), neutral and ground harness connectors.
8. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor and the crankshaft position sensor from the transaxle.
9. Remove the starter motor from the transaxle.
10. Remove the through bolts that secure shift control rod and the support rod from the transaxle. Disconnect the rods from the transaxle.
11. Drain the transaxle oil.
12. Remove the exhaust front tube.
13. Withdraw the halfshafts from the transaxle.

    NOTE: When removing the halfshafts, be careful not to damage the lip of the oil seal. After shafts are removed, insert a steel bar or wooden dowel of a suitable diameter to prevent the side gears from rotating and falling into the differential case.

14. Support the engine by placing a jack under the oil pan, with a wooden block placed between the jack and pan for protection.
15. Support the transaxle with a jack.
16. Remove the rear and left side engine mounts.

    NOTE: Most of the transaxle mounting bolts are different lengths. Tagging the bolts upon removal will facilitate proper tightening during installation.

17. Remove the bolts attaching the transaxle to the engine.
18. Slide the transaxle away from the engine and carefully lower the transaxle down and away from the engine.

    To install:

19. Before installing, clean the mating surfaces on the engine rear plate and clutch housing.
20. Apply a light coat of a lithium-based grease to the spline parts of the clutch disc and the transaxle input shaft.
21. Raise the transaxle into place and bolt it to the engine. Install the engine mounts. Torque the transaxle mounting bolts to specifications.

    Fig. 1: Transaxle bolt torque specifications -- 1994-97 Sentra and 200SX

22. Install the halfshafts.
23. The balance of installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.
24. Connect the battery cables.
25. Remove the filler plug and fill the transaxle to the proper level with fluid that meets API GL-4 specifications. Fill to the level of the plug hole. Apply a thread sealant to the threads of the filler plug and install the plug in the transaxle case.

##### Altima

1. Remove the battery and the battery bracket.
2. Remove the air cleaner housing with mass air flow sensor.
3. Remove the air duct.
4. Raise and safely support the vehicle so there is clearance to remove the transaxle from underneath. Securely support the engine with a jack. Place a wooden block between the jack and the oil pan. This will protect the oil pan from being damaged.
5. Remove the clutch release cylinder; do not disconnect the hydraulic line from the cylinder.
6. Disconnect the back-up lamp switch harness connectors.
7. Disconnect the speedometer cable, inhibitor switch, and the ground connections.
8. Remove the starter motor assembly.
9. Remove the crankshaft position sensor from the transaxle.
10. Disconnect the shift linkage.
11. Drain the fluid from the transaxle.
12. Remove both halfshafts from the transaxle assembly. Securely support the transaxle with another jack.
13. Remove the rear and left side mounts.
14. Raise the jack and remove the lower housing bolts. Lower the jack, but continue to support the transaxle and engine.
15. Remove the transaxle mounting bolts. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle by sliding the transaxle input shaft out of the clutch, lowering the rear of the transaxle and then lowering the transaxle from of the vehicle.

    To install:

16. Install the transaxle in the correct position. Torque the transaxle bolts to specification.

    Fig. 2: Transaxle bolt tightening specifications -- Altima

17. Securely support the transaxle. Install the lower housing bolts and the halfshafts.
18. The remaining components are installed in the reverse order from which they were removed.
19. Install the battery and the battery bracket.
20. Road test the vehicle and verify proper shift and clutch operation.

##### 1993-94 Maxima

1. Remove the battery and battery bracket.
2. Remove the air cleaner and the air flow meter.
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle so there is clearance to remove the transaxle from underneath. Securely support the engine via the oil pan using a cushioning wooden block and a floor jack.
4. Drain the fluid from the transaxle.
5. Remove both driveshafts from the transaxle assembly. Securely support the transaxle with another jack.
6. Remove the clutch operating cylinder; do not disconnect the hydraulic line from the cylinder.
7. Disconnect the speedometer pinion and the position switch connectors..
8. Disconnect the back-up lamp switch, the neutral position switch and the ground harness connectors.
9. Remove the starter motor assembly.
10. Disconnect the shift linkage.
11. Remove the rear and the LH engine mounts.
12. Remove the transaxle bolts. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle by sliding the transaxle input shaft out of the clutch, lowering the rear of the transaxle and then lowering the transaxle from of the vehicle.

    To install:

13. Install the transaxle in the correct position. Torque the transaxle bolts to specification in the correct sequence.
14. Install the rear engine mount and torque the through bolt to 65-72 ft. lbs. 88-98 Nm). Install the LH engine mount and torque the through bolt to 47-58 ft. lbs. (64-78 Nm).
15. Install the remaining components in the opposite order from which they were removed.
16. Install the battery and the battery bracket.
17. Road test the vehicle for proper shift operation.

    Fig. 3: Transaxle bolt tightening specifications -- 1993-94 Maxima

    Fig. 4: Transaxle bolt tightening specifications -- 1995-97 Maxima

##### 1995-97 Maxima

1. Disconnect the negative and the positive battery cables.
2. Remove the battery and battery bracket.
3. Remove the air cleaner assembly with the mass air flow sensor.
4. Raise and safely support the vehicle so there is clearance to remove the transaxle from underneath. Securely support the engine via the oil pan using a cushioning wooden block and a floor jack.
5. Remove the clutch operating cylinder; do not disconnect the hydraulic line from the cylinder.
6. Remove the clutch hose clamp.
7. Disconnect the speedometer pinion and the neutral position switch connectors and the ground harness connectors.
8. Remove the starter motor assembly from the transaxle.
9. Disconnect the back-up lamp switch and the neutral position switch.
10. Remove the crankshaft position sensor (POS) from the transaxle front side.
11. Remove the shifter control rod and the support rod bracket from the transaxle.
12. Drain the fluid from the transaxle.
13. Remove both driveshafts from the transaxle assembly. Securely support the transaxle with another jack.
14. Support the engine of the transaxle by placing a jack under the oil pan. Be sure to use a block of wood between the oil pan and jack.
15. Remove the bolts that secure the center crossmember.
16. Remove the LH engine mounts.

    NOTE: The transaxle bolts are of different lengths, be sure to note the location of the bolts for reassembly.

17. Remove the transaxle bolts. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle by sliding the transaxle input shaft out of the clutch, lowering the rear of the transaxle and then lowering the transaxle from of the vehicle.

    To install:

18. Install the transaxle assembly to the bell housing while aligning the output shaft of the transaxle with the clutch disc. Torque the transaxle bolts to specifications.
19. Install the LH engine mount and torque the through bolt to 32-41 ft. lbs. (43-55 Nm), then install the center crossmember assembly and tighten the mounting bolts to 57-72 ft. lbs. (77-98 Nm).
20. Install the remaining components in the reverse order of removal.
21. Tighten the clutch operating cylinder bolts to 22-30 ft. lbs. (30-40 Nm).
22. Connect the positive and the negative battery cables.
23. Refill the transaxle with proper amount and type of fluid.
24. Road test the vehicle for proper shift operation.