How to Replace the CV Axle in a 1999 Altima

The 1999 Altima, just one year removed from a modernizing redesign, came standard with a 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission, but it had an optional four-speed automatic transmission available. Being a front-wheel-drive vehicle means that the Altima has two half shafts, or CV axles, that transmit power from the transmission to the wheels. When one of these axles fails, you may experience clicking, grinding or popping while driving in a circle or on acceleration. Replacing the CV axle is a detailed task and there are some variances between the automatic and manual transmissions.

Instructions

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels, using a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the Altima with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its subframe. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheels from the front of the Altima.

Instruct an assistant to press and hold the brake pedal while you remove the nut on the end of the axle you are replacing, with a ratchet and socket, if your Altima has a manual transmission. If the Altima has an automatic transmission and you are replacing the passengers side axle on an automatic transmission-equipped Altima, loosen just the axle nut on that axle. If you are replacing the drivers side axle on an Altima with an automatic transmission, remove both axle nuts.

Remove the two caliper bolts with a ratchet and socket, and pull the caliper from its bracket. Hang the caliper from a nearby suspension component with a bungee strap. If the Altima has an antilock brake system, remove the bolt securing the ABS wheel speed sensor to the steering knuckle, using a ratchet and socket, and remove the ABS wheel speed sensor from the knuckle.

Pull the cotter pin from the tie rod end stud with needle-nose pliers. Remove the tie rod ends castellated nut with a ratchet and socket. Position a tie rod end separator, so its screw part contacts the tie rod ends stud and its clamps wrap around the steering knuckle where the tie rod end goes through the knuckle. Tighten the tie rod end separator until the tie rod end is free of the steering knuckle. Remove the bolts securing the lower part of the strut to the steering knuckle, using a ratchet and socket.

Repeat steps 2 through 4 on the other axle if you are replacing the drivers side axle on an Altima with an automatic transmission.

Proceed directly to the section titled "Installation" if you are working on an Altima with a manual transmission or the passengers side axle on an automatic transmission. Proceed to step 7 if you are working on the drivers side axle on an Altima with an automatic transmission.

Pull the top of the passengers side steering knuckle outward and lightly strike the end of the CV axle inward with a rubber mallet until the axle is free from the steering knuckle. Crawl under the Altima and place a drain pan under the innermost part of the CV axle.

Insert a 12-inch pry bar between the axle and transmission, and pry outward on the axle until it pops loose. Pull the axle out of the transmission and from the vehicle.

Repeat steps 7 and 8 on the drivers side CV axle.

Guide a long flathead screwdriver into the passengers side output shaft of the transmission -- the hole the passengers side CV axle goes into -- until you feel it contact the inner part of the drivers side CV axle. Strike the top of the screwdriver with a hammer until you see the drivers side CV axle pop loose from the transmission. Remove the CV axle from the drivers side.

Slide the new CV axle into its respective transmission output shaft and press the axle inward until you feel it click. Pull outward to verify that the CV axles circlip engaged the output shaft successfully. Repeat this step, as needed, until the circlip engages the output shaft.

Pull outward on the top of the steering knuckle and guide the outer end of the CV axle into the hole in the center of the CV axle. Hand-tighten the axle nut onto the end of the axle.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 to install the other axle on the automatic transmission, if applicable.

Guide the steering knuckle onto the strut, aligning its bolt-holes with those in the strut. Hand-thread strut-to-steering knuckle bolts, then torque them to between 123 and 137 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

Insert the tie rod end stud through its hole on the top of the steering knuckle and hand-tighten the castellated nut onto it. Tighten the castellated nut to between 21 and 29 foot-pounds. Verify that a low spot on the nuts castellated top aligns with the hole through the tie rod ends stud. If there is no alignment, slightly tighten the nut to make them line up. Insert a new cotter pin through the hole in the tie rod end stud and bend its legs in opposite directions, using needle-nose pliers. Slide the ABS wheel speed sensor into its hole on the steering knuckle, if applicable, and hand-thread its nut. Torque the ABS sensors bolt to between 13 and 17 foot-pounds.

Guide the caliper back onto its bracket and hand-thread its bolts. Torque the caliper bolts to between 16 and 23 foot-pounds.

Repeat steps 4 through 6 to reassemble the other side of the Altima, if you are working on the drivers side axle on an automatic transmission-equipped Altima.

Instruct your assistant to hold the brake pedal while you torque the axle nut to between 174 and 231 foot-pounds. Repeat this step on the other side of the Altima, if needed.

Proceed directly to step 11 if your Altima has an automatic transmission or step 10 if it has a manual transmission.

Crawl under the Altima and find the transmission check-and-fill plug on in the transmissions case, near the front of the vehicle. Remove the check-and-fill plug with a 1/2-inch ratchet and insert your finger into the check-and- fill hole. Feel for the fluid level; a correctly filled transmission has the fluid level right at the base of the hole. Add fresh 75W-90 GL-4 gear oil to the transmission, via the check and fill hole, until fluid drips from the check-and-fill hole, if needed. Hand-thread the check-and fill plug and tighten it with a 1/2-inch ratchet.

Reinstall the front wheels on the Altimas front hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the Nissan off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Torque the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to between 72 and 87 foot-pounds.

Start the Altimas engine and move the gear shifter through each gear, pausing for about three seconds in each gear. Place the shifter back into Neutral. Allow the engine to idle until the temperature gauge is about halfway.

Remove the transmission dipstick and wipe the fluid off it with a clean, lint-free cloth, and reinsert it into the dipstick tube. Remove the dipstick again and check the fluid level on the Hot side of the dipstick. If the fluid is not within the crosshatched section, add Nissan Matic D or Dexron III transmission fluid, using a clean funnel, until the level reaches the crosshatched section. Reinsert the dipstick.

Take any old transmission fluid in the drain pan to a local used automotive fluid recycler for disposal. Many auto parts stores take old transmission fluid for free.