Posted: Oct 06 2015 at 12:47pm | IP Logged

frontierx376 wrote: What a shame! Nissan quality has really taken a dive. Well I'll watch my back window now, but you got other things to worry about, I'm on my third rear axle at 22k on a 2012 4x4 king cab. Hope you don't have a automatic transmission, when the little O-ring goes between the transmission cooler and the radiator you'll need a new transmission. Get an extended warranty or sell it now, best of luck.

How much off road, mudding, Watering, & Wheeling do you do?  Have you ever checked the Air Vent on the Rear Axle Houseing?

Posted: Oct 07 2015 at 7:31am | IP Logged

Sounds like you are trying to take good care of your Truck.

Checking and Cleaning the Rear Axle Houseing Air Vent is not in the Maintenance Schedule,, but IMO, it should be.

I think the best time to remove, clean, and check that it is open, is when the Rear Axle Oil is changed out.

Many Owner's do not know to do this, and from reading some posting's, it sound's like some Mechanic's do not know to do this either.

On my Truck the little Air Vent is on top of the Axle Houseing and to the Right of the Oil Fill/Check plug.  Wipe around the Vent/axle houseing before takeing it out, so you don't get any dirt down in the Axle Houseing.  I flush mine out with Diesel Fuel,, and then blow it out with my air compressor, to make sure that it is free flowing.  If the Vent get's stopped up, with debrie, Dirt Dobber's Mud, Anything, then the Axle Houseing can't breath,,  build's up pressure and will cause the Axle Seal's to leak.

Since you take it to Nissan for Service, just ask them to check the Vent to make sure that it is open, or you can do it yourself, but IMO, it is best to do this when changeing out the Rear axle Oil.

I've had a Nissan Truck since 1993, and on my '13, this is one of the thing's that I checked early on, and went ahead and changed out the Rear Axle Oil at the same time.  I'm glad that I did,, cause the magnetic Drain Plug,, had quiet a bit of Shaved Metal particle's on it.

Since you drive in Snow,, that accumulation, along with dirt, could possibly stop the vent up over time.  No way to know,, until it is checked out though.

I'm not with Nissan, but I'm a little bummed out that you are haveing such problem's with your Rear Axle's.

The '93 Hardbody was very dependable for 20 year's, and so far, the '13 is doing well,, but it's too early to say much, but so far so good.

Good Luck,, and hopefully Nissan will get your truck straightened out.