Posted: Feb 22 2006 at 2:44pm | IP Logged

fortunately i haven't though we just broke the gear set in our LS1 GTO racecar so i know the feeling

Posted: Feb 23 2006 at 8:37am | IP Logged

Lorne......

What year is your truck..........

How heavy was the load you towed.....

Posted: Feb 25 2006 at 10:17am | IP Logged

It's a 2004 I purchased new with the heavy hauling package - receiver hitch, factory wiring stuff, etc. The trailer I have is an enclosed 20ft twin axle that weighs about 2800lbs. First time I towed it empty from my home to the local race track, about 100 miles total, mostly level. The second time I towed empty about 250kms on a mountain road, with varied hills and grades. Coming back the same route we had loaded about 2500 lbs of furniture and household stuff. I don't believe the total weight was more than 5500 lbs, but lets say it was as much as 7000 total. That's still 2500 lbs UNDER the maximum towing weight of 9500 lbs.

I used the TOW setting on the vehicle dash, kept it out of overdrive and kept the speed between 90 - 100 km/hr. (About 55 --60mph) No problem with the towing, it pulled strong, didn't sway and stopped very well. After i got home and unloaded I went out with the truck that evening. That's when I heard a bearing-like noise from the rear end. I took it to the delaer who confirmed the crown & pinion were worn out and discoloured, like they had been severely overheated.

The dealer and Nissan Canada are making it right but I have a great concern about towing with this rig in the future. I'm considering installing a temp. guage and even an oil cooler because I really like the truck. I plan to tow about 6 to 8 times a year and need to know it's not going to be a problem. I'm hoping this is just an isolated, one-of-a-kind thing.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Posted: Feb 25 2006 at 10:55am | IP Logged

Well you were not giving it much abuse at all.......

Must have been a one of a kind freaking problem.....

Lets hope it dont happen to anyone else.........

Posted: Mar 10 2006 at 1:07pm | IP Logged

I am happy to report that Nissan has replaced the entire rear end assembly at no cost to me. They used the 75/140 Synthetic gear oil and also added the new, larger capacity, finned aluminum cover.

And to confirm the earlier post they did advise me of problems with improper weight oil in some of the early '04 Titans, and that Nissan ordered the new standard synthetic as installed in my truck.

The dealer service depot said that when they inspected my diff, that the drive side of the crown & pinion was worn out and the gears were discoloured blue from severe over-heating.

The end result - I am very happy with the professional way it was handled. I can't speak for all Nissan dealers but Southside Nissan in Vancouver, Canada rates No. 1 with me!!

Posted: Jul 13 2006 at 1:02pm | IP Logged

I just posted a question about rear-end failure in the TSB/Technical section.  I have just experienced a rear-end failure with 14K miles on my Titan - it is about 1 1/2 years old now.  I have towed a travel trailer for probably 2,000 miles total - with a gross weight of about 3,500 pounds. ( I have the factory tow package)  On a recent trip to Yellowstone from Oregon, I noticed a whine developing.  Took it to the dealer when I returned, and they said I needed a whole new differential - and that I would be getting an "upgraded" version.  They also said there had been problems with some of the early rear-ends.  Great truck, but this sort of failure is really frightening! 

Here's a question related to towing - One sales guy at Nissan told me to disable the traction control when towing ?????  I find nothing to this effect in the manal - I just put in in tow mode and go.  Any insight?  Thanks