2021-2022 Nissan Transfer Assembly Fluid Leak TSB

Owners of certain 2021-2022 Nissan Altima, Murano, Rogue, and Rogue Sport vehicles equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) may notice a fluid leak from the front passenger (RH) side of the transfer assembly. This condition is addressed by Nissan Technical Service Bulletin NTB17-003E, which provides a specific repair procedure to resolve the issue.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of this issue is visible fluid leaking from the front passenger (RH) side of the transfer assembly. This leak is specifically caused by the drive shaft oil seal or ring gear shaft oil seal, depending on the model.

Important Warnings for Owners

Nissan has issued critical instructions regarding this fluid leak:

• DO NOT REPLACE the transfer assembly. The bulletin explicitly states that the leak is not caused by the dust seal and the repair does not require transfer assembly removal or replacement.
• Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Attempting repairs without proper training, equipment, and tools can be unsafe and may not resolve the issue.
• If you believe this condition applies to your vehicle, DO NOT assume that it does. Always consult your Nissan dealer to confirm applicability and ensure proper diagnosis and repair.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

The fluid leak will be evident from the front passenger (RH) side of the transfer assembly. Technicians are advised to refer to this bulletin if such a leak is observed. The bulletin clarifies that the leak originates from the drive shaft oil seal or ring gear shaft oil seal, not the dust seal, despite its proximity.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair procedure outlined in TSB NTB17-003E focuses on replacing the drive shaft oil seal and the dust seal. This repair does not require the removal of the entire transfer assembly or the transfer cover from the vehicle.

1. Drive Shaft Removal: The passenger (RH) side front drive shaft must be removed. For 2019-2022 Altima and 2021-2022 Rogue models, it is recommended to remove the drive shaft support bearing bracket for additional clearance during this step.
2. Seal Replacement: The drive shaft oil seal and the dust seal are replaced. Reference is made to NTB21-094 for detailed instructions on this replacement.
3. Drive Shaft Support Bearing Bracket Reinstallation (Specific Models): For 2019-2022 Altima and 2021-2022 Rogue models, a specific sequence must be followed to reinstall the drive shaft support bearing bracket to prevent leak recurrence and damage:
   • Place and hold the bracket flat against the engine block and transfer assembly, then loosely install the bolts.
   • While holding the bracket, finger tighten the top engine block bolt first, then the lower engine block bolt.
   • Finger tighten the drive shaft support bearing bracket to transfer assembly bolts.
   • Torque the top engine block bolt to 48.0 N·m (35 ft-lb), then the lower engine block bolt to the same specification.
   • Torque the drive shaft support bearing bracket to transfer assembly bolts to 48.0 N·m (35 ft-lb).

Required Tools or Parts

Special service tools are required for this repair to avoid damage to the transfer assembly and new seals:

• J-52469-1 Seal Protector
• J-8092 Driver Handle
• J-52280 Driver Handle
• J-52282 Seal Installer
• J-52390 Seal Installer

Key parts for replacement include:

• SEAL-OIL, DRIVE PINION (Drive Shaft Oil Seal/Ring Gear Shaft Oil Seal) - Part # Prefix 33114
• SEAL-OIL (Dust Seal) - Part # Prefix 33142
• PIN-COTTER - Part # Prefix 40073
• NUT-HEX (axle hub nut) - Part # Prefix 40262
• NUT (lower strut nut) - Part # Prefix 01223

Technicians should refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog using the VIN to determine the complete part numbers for the specific vehicle.

Owner Action

If you observe a fluid leak from the front passenger side of your 2021-2022 Nissan Altima, Murano, Rogue, or Rogue Sport, it is recommended to contact your authorized Nissan dealer. They will be able to diagnose the Nissan Rogue transfer assembly leak and perform the necessary repair according to TSB NTB17-003E. This service is typically covered under warranty if your vehicle meets the specified conditions.

Bulletin History

This bulletin, NTB17-003E, is an amended version of previous publications. The original bulletin, NTB17-003, was published on January 20, 2017. Subsequent revisions include:

• NTB17-003A (March 25, 2020): Applied Vehicles and Parts Information revised.
• NTB17-003B (May 27, 2021): Applied Vehicles revised, and quantity column changes.
• NTB17-003C (February 16, 2022): Changes throughout.
• NTB17-003D (March 1, 2022): Claims Information updated.
• NTB17-003E (June 17, 2022): Changes throughout.

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NHTSA ID: 10218694