Questions and Answers

Nissan Pathfinder Propeller And Shaft Q. Hi Vincent. I have a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4, 3.5 liter V-6 and 30,500 miles. I'm looking to do some of the things for the 30,000 mile service and one of things it says to do is to lube the propeller shaft. I was wondering if you could tell me: Where this is located? How to go about greasing it? Thank you! Dave

A. The propeller shaft is, as the name implies, the shaft that goes from the engine to the propeller mounted on the front of the vehicle. This is what pulls the vehicle forward and allows the wings to generate lift.

Oh wait, that's for small aircraft and helicopters. You have a truck. I forgot where I was for a minute.

The propeller shaft is more commonly known as the drive shaft. Japanese engineers like to get precise in the nomenclature. There is the rear drive shaft that goes from the transfer case to the rear differential and a front drive shaft that goes from the transfer case to the front differential.

I guess I don't have to tell you where they are.

There is a grease nipple on each drive shaft to allow greasing. Now don't go thinking that if a little grease is good, a lot must be better. If you shot too much grease into the nipples, you will blow out the rubber boots that keep the grease in and dirt and water out. Three or four good shots are more than enough. If you grease at every oil change, one or two is enough.

When you climb under there you may see that there are no grease nipples, just hex head plugs. If that's the case you will need to buy grease nipples and install them. If I remember correctly they take 6 or 8 grease nipples. Not counting the grease nipples for the drive shaft U-joints.