Rear Axle Seal leak

[Chuy]

I have a right rear outer axle seal leak, does anyone know a shop besides the dealership who can replace these?

[pinchel (Rob)]

I've been hearing good thing about a certain Big O Tire in Scottsdale but there are also a few shops closer to you I think.

[Chuy]

I've been hearing good thing about a certain Big O Tire in Scottsdale but there are also a few shops closer to you I think.

Thanks, I called a couple of local shops and they all recommended the dealership. Nissan quoted me about $300 per side. That's not too bad I was expecting a little over $1K for just the one side? Do you guys think I should get them both done?

[pinchel (Rob)]

I was thinking the axle seals are something you could do yourself.

[Chuy]

Yes and no, looks easy but I will need to buy a puller and press. I'm also short on time, quail season starts next Friday.

[Chuy]

So this job went sideways real fast yesterday, I dropped off the Xterra at 8am at Avondale Nissan. I get a call around 10:00am, from the service guy telling me that for my style axle it will now cost $450 to replace the seal. I said no problem proceed. I get another call around 1pm asking me to come to the dealership that they ran into a problem.





Two of the four flange stud bolts that hold the axle in place are rust welded on. The technicians without asking me decided to start hacking at it with a grinder to remove the last two bolts. Which pretty much ruined the axle flange. 

Here is a picture of the  4 bolts for reference, they are similar to wheel studs.



The dealership can't get a new axle in until Tuesday, and the new axle alone cost $480, plus labor, tax, and fluids. They did give me a rental car. The part that sucks is I was suppose to leave Monday morning with my uncle for my families week long annual Man Camp/Quail Hunt. Instead I am stuck here waiting. If I would have known this was going to happen. I would have told them to order the axle and just change the rear fluid. I could have brought it back after my trip. It was a small minor leak nothing major. Anyone know where I can get a right real axle today or Sunday morning?

[pinchel (Rob)]

You've called the junk yards, yes? There are more Xterras in northern Arizona.

[Chuy]

You've called the junk yards, yes? There are more Xterras in northern Arizona.

Im chocking it up, as a lesson learned. This is the first time I have taken one of my 4x4's to a dealership. I should have known better. I should have just checked the axle fluid level, and ordered the parts and done the job myself after my hunting trip.

[remo1991(Brent)]

That's a bummer. But I don't see how that is your fault they never called and asked you.