I have been hearing horror stories about the Titan's rear differentials (04'). Is there any truth to these? Do they have a higher possibility of going out than the 05's? I also hear that you should change out the front and rear differential fluid to synthetic? Is this something that the dealer will do for free, including the new aluminum case? Sorry if I am everywhere, I am new to the boards.

Yes there have been problems.

I don't know specific issues or problems. Use the SEARCH function and it will list previous posts on the subject. You might have to do some weeding as the search will return a lot of extraneous information.

Hope this helps.

I have been hearing horror stories about the Titan's rear differentials (04'). Is there any truth to these? Do they have a higher possibility of going out than the 05's? I also hear that you should change out the front and rear differential fluid to synthetic? Is this something that the dealer will do for free, including the new aluminum case? Sorry if I am everywhere, I am new to the boards.

Welcome jobi.......

There are some horror stories like you've mentioned, but it's not like it's a very common thing. Changing over to synthetics in the front and rear diffs is a must do but don't expect your dealer to foot the bill. A 75W-90 works great in the front diff and 75W-140 is recommended in the rear. Change them both out as soon as you can and I'm sure you won't have any diff problems!!

Good luck and post often!!

Thanks for the help! I saw a site that shows pics of where to drain and fill the rear differentials, is there one for the front, or is it the same? I am not very mechanically inclined (I can change tires, oil, spark plugs, ect) is there a certain tool or way to fill the fluid into that hole?

This is the website I know: http://www.pixagogo.com/2144255542

jobicorn42

I'm with JetTech on this one. I've done a lot of searching, heard a lot of rumours, but I know of only 3 total diff failures and one was mine. No big deal. Just back to the dealer for an '05 rear on my '04 truck :D .

There are also a few more '04s that were replaced for noise and vibration but again as far as I can tell it is rare.

The syntetic should do the trick. If the rears were really bad everyone would be dropping them. I believe mine just happen to be a rare faulty one. If the rears really are too weak then Nissan would have to replace them with something else.

I'm getting it all for free, but only cause it broke. You're gonna have to break your own if you want it free :D

Overall I feel very confident about the Titan's build and reliability. It's gonna take more than one or 2 flukes to sway me.

GoodLuck To Ya and WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the help! I saw a site that shows pics of where to drain and fill the rear differentials, is there one for the front, or is it the same? I am not very mechanically inclined (I can change tires, oil, spark plugs, ect) is there a certain tool or way to fill the fluid into that hole?

This is the website I know: http://www.pixagogo.com/2144255542

Go to your local auto parts store and they should have a pump that screws on the oil top. I got mine at walmart for $4.99. You'll also see other alternatives, but the pump beats them all and is relatively inexpensive.

If you have a 4x4, there is one in the front, and another transfer case in the middle.

The front in basically the same as the rear. I believe there is a skid plate you have to remove if you have the Off road package.

Most gear oil bottles have a pointed spout that will fit into the fill hole. You can get by without a pump on the rear, the front is a little more of a challenge but can be done without a pump as well.

Mine went on Sunday, shop picked it up Tuesday, one week goes by and they call and it's ready Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!! I pick it up tomorrow. Really didn't expect it to be ready so soon. (I was just starting to like the Malibu Rental :D ) Going to an 'Eagles' concert tonight!!!! Luckily some good seat tickets came my way at the last minute. I'm Pumped!!!!!!!!! (and off topic :D )

The dealer hasn't given me any information despite my prying. I'm not done yet though :twisted:

Chief

If you look at the '05 Titan rear diff covers, they are aluminum finned covers and they are filled with synthetic fluid. This is because they are generating too much heat and causing premature failure on some vehicles. Best thing to do is to use synthetic oil.

redright9 how did you come to find out the rears on the 05 are syn.? also do you know if the fronts are filled with syn. as well?

I have made a mistake, the Titans are still using regular oil in the front and rear diffs. There is a bulliten about if you tow to change to synthetic. But the rear diff cover is still different. sorry.
I would still use synthetic when you change your fluid because they are making alot of heat..

redright9 thanks for the reply!
also i do have a boat that i will be towing, was wondering if 04&05 owners are changing to syn. before the gears have a chance to break-in or are we saying the change should be made as soon as poss.!!

thanks again

redright9 thanks for the reply!
also i do have a boat that i will be towing, was wondering if 04&05 owners are changing to syn. before the gears have a chance to break-in or are we saying the change should be made as soon as poss.!!

thanks again

Change it ASAP mezz.....

thanks jettech will do just that!! does this include the front as well? and what about the tranfer case?
also i know ther are many post on this im sure but do u have a syn. gear oil pref. for the abvove?

thanks jettech will do just that!! does this include the front as well? and what about the tranfer case?
also i know ther are many post on this im sure but do u have a syn. gear oil pref. for the abvove?

I'll just tell you what I did then you can go from there. I changed both of my diff oils at 500 miles. Then again at 5K miles. I also changed the transfer case oil at 7K miles but wish I had done it MUCH sooner, it was toast!!

Mobil 1 75W-90 seems to be the oil of choice, although other synthetics are good too, for the front diff, then I had really good luck with Wal-Marts Full synthetic supertech 75W-140 gear oil for the rear. There are other synthetics out there that I'm sure will work just as good. The supertech was quite inexpensive and held up great.

As far as the transfer case goes I put in Mobil 1 ATF which seems to be working great. The transfer case shifts into and out of 4x4 mode with ease now whereas before it used to have to think about it for a while.

There is definately a problem with the '04 rear diffs. That is why the '05s have been modified and why Nissan put out a TechAlert to change rear diff fluids to synthetic 75-140w. A bigger problem is their total lack of available repair parts. All this said I still love my Titan. I just wish Nissan would step up to the plate. :(

jettech, again thanks for the great post. thanks for breaking it down for me.

jettech, again thanks for the great post. thanks for breaking it down for me.

No problem mezz, there should be a post in the do it yourself section showing you how to change them over to synthetic. Good luck and if you have any questions fire away!!

Seems the rear end issue is a bit bigger than I thought. Dealer told me it wasn't widespread although they had to replace mine. Started to whine. The oil in the old one was horribly burnt. We'll see how the new one does.

Seems the rear end issue is a bit bigger than I thought. Dealer told me it wasn't widespread although they had to replace mine. Started to whine. The oil in the old one was horribly burnt. We'll see how the new one does.

I bet it will become more of an issue for those owners of 04's who don't change their gear oil in a timely manner. It wouldn't surprise me to see Nissan do a full recall on the 04's, just for a fluid change, in a year or so as the miles pile up on them to avoid more failures.

AMEN!!!!!!!!