Propeller shaft <em>Nissan Murano Z51</em>: device, diagnosis and replacement

Nissan Murano Z51 is a popular crossover that combines comfort and cross-country ability, but its all-wheel drive transmission requires special attention. The driveshaft plays a key role here, transmitting torque from the transfer case to the rear axle. Wear of this unit is often manifested by vibrations, knocking or uneven operation of the transmission. In this article we will analyze the design of the cardan Murano Z51, typical faults, criteria for selecting spare parts and nuances of replacement - with an emphasis on practical advice for owners.

A special feature of the model is the use of a two-section driveshaft with an intermediate support, which complicates diagnostics. For example, vibrations at speeds of 80–100 km/h can indicate both an imbalance in the shaft itself and wear on the spiders or outboard bearing. We'll analyze the symptoms you shouldn't ignore and explain why. replacing the cardan with Murano Z51 requires precise balancing — even original parts can cause beating if installed incorrectly.

Cardan shaft design Nissan Murano Z51: features and weaknesses

Cardan transmission Murano Z51 (2009–2014) consists of two parts:

• 🔧 Front shaft — connects to the transfer case through a splined connection, equipped with a cross and a suspended bearing.
• 🔗 Rear shaft — transmits torque to the rear axle gearbox, has a second crosspiece and a flange mount.
• ⚙️ Intermediate support - dampens vibrations, but often becomes a source of play due to bearing wear.

Weak points of the design:

• ⚠️ Crosspieces — wear out by 150–200 thousand km, especially with aggressive driving or lack of lubrication.
• 🌀 Suspension bearing — loses its tightness, which leads to backlash and vibrations.
• 🔄 Spline connection — over time it “breaks”, causing knocking noises when starting off.

Important: on Murano Z51 with engines VQ35DE (3.5 l) and QR25DE (2.5 l) are used different driveshafts - they are not interchangeable! Article numbers of original parts are shown in the table below.

Symptoms of Problem: When Replacement is Required

Vibrations at speed - the most obvious symptom. On Murano Z51 they usually appear in the range of 60–100 km/h and intensify during acceleration. Reasons:

• 🌀 Shaft imbalance (for example, after repair or an accident).
• ⚙️ Wear of crosses or bearings.
• 🔧 Damage to the spline connection.

Other warning signs:

• 🔊 Knocks when starting or changing gears - indicate play in the crosspieces.
• 🛑 Jerks during acceleration, there may be deformation of the shaft or problems with the transfer case.
• 💧 Lubricant leaks from under the anthers of the crosspieces - lead to accelerated wear.

⚠️ Attention: If vibrations are accompanied metallic grinding when reversing, this may indicate critical wear of the front shaft spline connection — further operation is fraught with the risk of the cardan breaking!

For an accurate diagnosis:

1. Raise the car on a lift and check the play in the crosspieces by hand.
2. Inspect the boots for cracks and lubricant leaks.
3. Rotate the shaft by hand - resistance or jamming indicates problems with the bearing.

Original articles and analogues: what to choose for replacement

Original cardan shafts for Nissan Murano Z51 supplied by the company Nissan under the articles:

Engine	Cardan article number	Note
VQ35DE (3.5 l)	37100-4M60A	Complete set (front + rear shaft)
QR25DE (2.5 l)	37100-4M61A	Differs in length and attachment to the transfer case
Both options	37105-4M60A	Suspension bearing (common)
—	38350-4M60A	Crosspiece (4 pieces included)

The cost of the original shaft is from 45,000 to 60,000 rubles. Alternatives:

• 🔧 GKN (60.0037.001) - a high-quality analogue, used by conveyor suppliers Nissan.
• 🛠️ Febi (37100) is a budget option, but requires a balancing check.
• ⚙️ SKF — bearings and crosspieces for repair (specify articles by VIN).

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing an analogue, be sure to check shaft length And fastening type (flange/splines). For example, shafts for Murano Z50 (first generation) do not fit!

Step-by-step replacement of the driveshaft: tools and nuances

Replacing the cardan with Murano Z51 requires an inspection hole or lift. Opening hours — 3–4 hours for an experienced master. Tools needed:

• 🔧 Set of heads (10–24 mm) and collars.
• 🛠️ Crosspiece remover (for example, Lisle 31800).
• ⚙️ Torque wrench (flange tightening torque - 80–100 Nm).
• 🌀 Balancing stand (if repairs are planned, not replacement).

Work order:

1. Remove the heat shield under the body (6 bolts).
2. Mark with a marker the position of the flanges relative to the transfer case and gearbox - this will simplify assembly.
3. Unscrew the 4 bolts securing the rear shaft to the gearbox (head 14).
4. Remove the suspension bearing (2 x 12 bolts) and the front shaft from the transfer case.
5. When installing a new shaft do not use a percussion instrument - this upsets the balance!

Check that all mounting bolts are included|Lubricate the spline joint with lithol|Make sure there is no play in the new bearing|Mark the position of the flanges before removal-->

Critical moment - shaft alignment. On Murano Z51 are used self-aligning flanges, but if installed incorrectly, imbalance may occur. After replacement, be sure to:

• Check for vibrations while driving.
• Make sure that the anthers of the crosses are sealed.
• Ride with gradual acceleration to 100 km/h - there should be no beats.

What to do if vibrations remain after replacement?

Vibrations may persist due to:

1) Incorrect balancing of the new shaft (a stand is required).

2) Wear of the bearing in the transfer case (check the play).

3) Deformation of the gearbox flange (inspection required).

In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by re-installation with precise alignment of the marks.

Balancing the driveshaft: why is it critical for Murano Z51

Cardan imbalance at Murano Z51 manifested not only by vibrations, but also accelerated wear of the transmission. For example, shaft runout is transmitted to the transfer case, which leads to oil seal leakage and bearing failure.

Causes of imbalance:

• 🌀 Shaft deformation after an accident or hitting an obstacle.
• ⚙️ Uneven wear of crosses.
• 🔧 Incorrect tightening of flanges (for example, without a torque wrench).

Bench balancing costs 2,000–3,000 rubles, but saves money on transmission repairs. On Murano Z51 permissible imbalance - no more 10 g cm. Exceeding this value leads to:

• 🛑 Steering wheel vibrations at speeds above 80 km/h.
• 🔊 Gulu in the transfer case.
• 💥 Risk of shaft breakage under high loads (for example, when towing).

⚠️ Attention: If vibrations persist after balancing, check alignment of transfer case and rear gearbox. On Murano Z51 This is a common problem after replacing suspension springs or control arms!

Driveshaft maintenance: how to extend its life

Average cardan life per Murano Z51 - 150–200 thousand km, but with proper maintenance it can be increased to 250–300 thousand km. Main events:

• 🛢️ Lubricating the crosspieces - every 30 thousand km (use Liqui Moly LM47 or analogues).
• 🔍 Checking the anthers - cracks or tears lead to dirt getting in and accelerated wear.
• ⚙️ Backlash control in the outboard bearing - if a gap of more than 0.5 mm appears, replacement is required.

What accelerates wear:

• 🚗 Aggressive driving with sharp starts.
• 💦 Driving through deep puddles (spline joint corrosion).
• 🔧 Ignoring vibrations - even weak beats eventually destroy the transfer case bearings.

To lubricate the crosspieces:

1. Remove the retaining rings using a puller.
2. Clean the bearings with kerosene.
3. Apply lubricant (Molykote BR2 Plus or Castrol LMX) until the excess is squeezed out.
4. Install new retaining rings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the cardan shaft Nissan Murano Z51

Is it possible to drive with vibrations from the cardan?

Short term - yes, but risky. Vibrations indicate imbalance or play, which leads to:

• Accelerated wear of transfer case bearings.
• Damage to the gearbox flange.
• In extreme cases, the shaft breaks while driving.

We recommend diagnosis within 1–2 weeks of symptoms onset.

Which driveshaft is better - original or GKN?

GKN - official supplier Nissan, so the quality is comparable to the original. Advantages of analogue:

• The price is 20–30% lower.
• Same warranty (12 months).

But check availability holograms and balancing markings - fakes are common.

Does the new driveshaft need to be balanced?

Yes, even original shafts require testing on a bench. Reasons:

• There may be errors during transportation.
• The flanges may have moved during installation.

The cost of balancing (1,500–2,500 rubles) is justified - it prevents vibration and wear of the transmission.

What to do if grease leaks from the crosspiece?

This is a sign of damage to the boot. Actions:

1. Remove the cardan and inspect the crosspiece.
2. If the bearings are intact, replace the boot and lubricate the assembly.
3. If there is play or corrosion, replace the crosspiece completely.

Ignoring a leak leads to cardan jamming after 5–10 thousand km.

Is it possible to repair the driveshaft or just replace it?

Repair is possible if:

• Only the crosspieces or bearing are worn.
• The shaft is not deformed (checked on a bench).

The cost of repairs (replacement of crosses + balancing) is 8,000–12,000 rubles, which is cheaper than a new shaft. But in case of cracks or bending, only replacement!