Hey guys, I finally pulled the trigger on the Central 20 final drives. I am now at a cross-road and need some advice. This is along the lines of the install.
There is a Great performance shop locally here that builds some wicked 8 second drag cars. They have built me a 600+ HP 1967 Chevy Nova back in my muscle car days. They are extremely qualified to install a ring and pinion in the rear of any car. This would be a sure-fire perfect install.

On the other hand, My Nissan dealer still needs to do the "recall" on my axles because of the clicking. This means that some of the rear end is already disassembled. I could try to "work something out" with the dealer on getting the final drive installed while they are performing that work (I also need the Fuel tank recall Performed) This would probably save me quite a bit of money. For those of you that had the axle repair done, did they need to drain the diff, and remove the cover? How many extra hours do you think it would take to install the final drives after they are this far??
I am just trying to get a feel for how much money I will be spending. If I can work something out with the dealer, I will probably just go there. If I am paying 100% of an install from start to finish, I will definately go to that local performance shop.
Hopefully some Nissan techs will see this and chime in on if the job will already be half done with the axle repair. thanks guys!!

 

Um the axle click problem is a bulletin not a recall. Did the service department say that it was going to be covered? Plus all they are doing is unbolting the axles. They dont have to open the differential. So its not going to help you to install your new ring and pinion at the same time.

 

+1, Removing the Pumpkin is a "nothing" task for a shop, just 17 Bolts and its off. Nothing to it at all. I wouldnt' let my dealer know I had the Final Drive just for "BS Insurance" if you ever have a drivetrain problem.

 

you may want to make sure your muscle car shop can actually do the install

my intended installer (on the 3.9 in my car) is a similar shop - all the quick drag guys use him and he rebuilds all sorts of trannies, rears, etc. When I left my car there for the final drive install, he called within an hour to say he could not do it, as the rear was too small and he did not have any of the required tools needed.

I also would not automatically trust the dealer either. The axle click recall does not involve any disassembly - its simply retorquing the bolts after some oil is applied to them

 

I'm getting ready to have my lsd installed... think it would be a good time to go ahead and install the FD too?

 

Of course. Then you'd only have to open the diff one time.

That really was a serious question wasnt it??

 

Yes, the ring gear is bolted to the LSD. You'd basically be doing all the work of the LSD install again to do the FD install. The key to the FD install is you need to check for proper lash with the shims and inspect the front pinion bearing, etc...

 

Taking one for the team...