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Nissan Frontier Navara Terrano Hardbody D22 1997-2004 factory workshop and repair manual download

- Safety first: work on a flat surface, use rated jack stands and wheel chocks, wear eye protection and gloves, disconnect the battery, and never trust a hydraulic jack alone to hold the vehicle. Transmission parts are heavy and springs can release energy—if you are unsure, have a professional do the job.

- Basic explanation of what you are fixing: a synchronizer (synchro) equalizes gear and shaft speeds so gears mesh smoothly. Symptoms of a bad synchro include gear grinding, difficulty shifting into a gear (often 2nd or 3rd), or gear pop-out. Repair usually means replacing the worn synchro ring (blocking ring) and sometimes the hub/sleeve, keys/springs, forks or bearings if they are worn or damaged.

- Essential preparatory documents: obtain the factory service manual (FSM) or a reputable manual specific to the Nissan D22 family for exact disassembly order, torque specs, shims and clearances. The FSM gives model-specific notes you must follow.

Required tools (with detailed descriptions and how to use them)
- Ratchet set with metric sockets (10mm–24mm typical):
- Description: ratchet handle and a range of metric sockets for bolts/nuts.
- How to use: select the correct socket, fit to bolt head, pull or push the ratchet to loosen/tighten. Use extension bars for recessed fasteners.
- Why needed: removes bellhousing bolts, bracket bolts, transmission fasteners.

- Combination wrench set (metric):
- Description: open-end and box-end wrenches in metric sizes.
- How to use: use box-end to hold or turn nuts in tight spaces where sockets won’t fit. Match size snugly to avoid rounding.
- Why needed: access bolts on transmission or linkage where a socket cannot reach.

- Torque wrench (in-lb and ft-lb range, metric):
- Description: calibrated wrench to apply specified torque.
- How to use: set required torque, tighten until wrench clicks or indicates, use for final torque on critical fasteners.
- Why needed: reassembly requires specific torque values to avoid failures; essential for bellhousing, axle/shaft nuts.

- Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips) and pry bars:
- Description: manual screwdrivers and sturdy pry bars.
- How to use: remove clamps, pry apart cases gently. Use large pry bar carefully to separate transmission halves.
- Why needed: small trim items, seals and to separate mating surfaces.

- Pliers and needle-nose pliers:
- Description: general-purpose and long nose for clips, wires.
- How to use: compress snap rings, remove cotter pins, hold parts.
- Why needed: remove retaining clips, springs, small parts.

- Circlip/snap-ring pliers (internal and external):
- Description: pliers with tips for expanding or compressing circlips.
- How to use: insert tips into clip holes and squeeze or expand to remove/install.
- Why needed: many transmission internals are retained by snap rings. Proper tool prevents damage.

- Hammer and soft mallet (rubber/nylon):
- Description: steel hammer for heavy work and soft mallet for gentle persuasion.
- How to use: use soft mallet to tap hubs/sleeves in place; use steel hammer with drift only when required and carefully.
- Why needed: free stuck parts and gentle assembly; avoid damaging machined surfaces.

- Breaker bar:
- Description: long non-ratcheting bar for extra leverage.
- How to use: attach socket and apply controlled force to break loose stubborn bolts.
- Why needed: initial loosening of tight bolts like driveshaft or bellhousing bolts.

- Penetrating oil and rust penetrant:
- Description: spray to loosen rusted bolts.
- How to use: spray on fastener, let soak 10–30 minutes before attempt.
- Why needed: saves stripped bolts and reduces force needed.

- Drain pan and funnels:
- Description: container to catch fluid.
- How to use: drain gearbox fluid into pan before removing transmission.
- Why needed: avoid spills, keep workspace clean.

- Floor jack and transmission jack (or good floor jack plus transmission support):
- Description: floor jack for vehicle and transmission jack or adapter for safe lowering.
- How to use: support transmission with jack before unbolting from engine; lower slowly and balanced.
- Why needed: transmission is heavy (often >60 lb). Transmission jack stabilizes during removal/installation.

- Hydraulic or arbor press (or strong shop press) and bearing puller/gear puller:
- Description: press applies controlled force; pullers remove gears/bearings from shafts.
- How to use: mount shaft properly and press off bearings, or use puller jaws to extract gears. Follow manufacturer instructions and use appropriate adapters.
- Why needed: many gears, bearings and hubs are tightly fit. A press/puller avoids damaging parts.

- Dial caliper and micrometer:
- Description: precision measuring tools for diameters and thickness.
- How to use: measure synchro ring thickness, hub bore, shaft diameters, bearing inner/outer diameters.
- Why needed: inspect wear against specifications; decide if replacement needed.

- Feeler gauges and depth gauge:
- Description: thin blades and depth probe for gap measurement.
- How to use: check clearances and endplay between components.
- Why needed: ensure correct clearances when reassembling; wrong clearances cause noise or rapid wear.

- Seal drivers and bearing race tools:
- Description: tools to install seals and bearing races squarely.
- How to use: seat seals evenly by tapping driver around circumference.
- Why needed: prevents seal damage and leaks.

- Clean rags, brake parts cleaner or solvent, compressed air (optional):
- Description: cleaners and rags to remove old oil, grease and metal particles.
- How to use: clean parts thoroughly before inspection and assembly.
- Why needed: contamination causes premature wear and hides damage.

- Replacement parts and consumables to buy before starting:
- Description: synchronizer rings (blocking rings), hub/sleeve assemblies as needed, small springs/keys, shift fork(s) if worn, input/output/bearing seals, bearings and bushings, gaskets, gear oil, RTV sealant and threadlocker.
- How to use: replace worn parts; use threadlocker/RTV where specified by FSM.
- Why needed: many internal parts are wear items; reusing worn synchro rings or bearings will not solve the problem.

Step-by-step high-level procedure and how to use the tools during each stage
- Preparation and diagnosis:
- Park vehicle on level ground, chock wheels, disconnect battery, drain gearbox oil into a clean pan.
- Use test-drive observations to identify which gear is symptomatic. Keep notes on grinding or shift feel for targeted inspection.

- Transmission removal:
- Support vehicle on jack stands and remove necessary components (battery tray, airbox, exhaust heat shields, driveshaft, shifter linkage) using ratchet, sockets and wrenches.
- Use penetrating oil on rusty bolts; a breaker bar or impact wrench helps loosen stubborn bolts.
- Support the transmission with a transmission jack. Unbolt the bellhousing from the engine using the ratchet set and remove clutch release hardware as needed. Lower transmission on the jack.
- Use a pry bar gently to break loose if stuck, and guide slowly so no parts fall.

- External disassembly and inspection:
- On a clean workbench, remove differential cover (if part of gearbox) and then split the transmission case following FSM order. Use screwdrivers/pry bars gently to separate halves.
- Use compressed air and solvent to clean electron metal filings away. Keep media out of eyes.
- Remove shafts and gears. Use snap-ring pliers to remove circlips and gear puller/press to remove tightly-fit gears or bearings. Keep parts in order and label them or photograph for orientation.

- Inspecting synchronizer components:
- Clean synchronizer assemblies with solvent and visually inspect the blocking rings (synchro rings). Look for:
- Rounded dog teeth or chamfers worn flat
- Grooves worn into the mating cone area
- Heat discoloration or cracks
- Use caliper/micrometer to measure ring thickness and compare to new parts or to FSM wear limits.
- Inspect hub and sleeve teeth for wear or chipped dogs. Inspect keys and springs for fatigue or breakage.
- Check shift fork contact pads for wear—if forks are bent or pads are worn into a groove, replace or have a machine shop rebuild.
- Check bearings for roughness or play by hand and measure with feeler gauges for endplay variations.

- Deciding whether to replace parts:
- Replace any synchro ring that has:
- Noticeable wear or missing chamfer, grooves on cone surface, cracks or excessive thinning when compared to a new part.
- If the ring’s friction surface is glazed or worn down such that its thickness is significantly less than new, it must be replaced.
- Replace hub or sleeve if:
- Dog teeth are rounded, chipped, or the sleeve does not slide smoothly (binding due to wear or burrs).
- There is excessive clearance between hub and sleeve resulting in poor engagement.
- Replace bearings and seals if rough, noisy, have play, leakage or are older/contaminated.
- Replace shift forks if worn grooves cause misalignment of the sleeve over the gear.
- Recommendation: for reliability and to avoid repeated disassembly, buy a synchronizer rebuild kit or complete synchro kit for the gears affected and common wear bearings/seals. These kits often include blocking rings, springs/keys, hub/sleeve if needed, and sometimes bearings.

- How to replace synchromesh parts:
- Use snap-ring pliers to remove circlips carefully and a press or gear puller to remove the hub/sleeve if it is a pressed-fit.
- Press the new hub/sleeve onto the shaft using an arbor press, supporting the shaft and pressing only on appropriate areas to avoid damage. Use bearing/bushing adapters so you press on the hub or shaft surfaces only.
- Install the new synchro ring with its cone seated properly against the gear cone. Make sure the ring orientation is correct (many have a chamfered side or index marks—match to the old part or service manual).
- Replace keys/springs in their grooves, ensure they seat and hold the sleeve/hub assembly correctly.
- Reinstall snap rings, confirming they are fully seated in their grooves.

- Measuring clearances and endplay:
- Use feeler gauges and depth gauge to set endplay and backlash as specified in the FSM. If you cannot measure or set to specification due to missing tools or unclear specs, do not guess; obtain the FSM or consult a shop. Incorrect preload or lash causes noise and failures.

- Reassembly:
- Clean both case halves and mating surfaces. Replace gaskets and seals with new ones; use RTV only where FSM specifies.
- Reinstall shafts and gears in original orientation. Use new bearings if old ones were rough or replaced.
- Torque all case bolts and bellhousing bolts to FSM specs with a torque wrench.
- Reattach clutch linkage/driveshafts and all components removed.
- Refill gearbox with the correct grade and volume of gear oil specified in the FSM.

- Testing and break-in:
- With vehicle still supported, start engine and verify proper clutch engagement and shifting with the parking brake on. Do not drive aggressively for the first few hundred kilometers/miles—synchros and new parts need break-in.
- Check for leaks and re-torque external bolts after a short road test as recommended by FSM.

Parts typically required and why
- Synchronizer blocking rings (synchro rings):
- Why: primary wear item that provides friction matching between gear and shaft. Usually the part that fails first.
- Replace when worn, cracked, glazed or thinner than new part.

- Hub and sleeve assembly:
- Why: if dogs or splines are worn or if sleeve no longer slides smoothly, replacing just the ring may not fix shifting.
- Consider replacement when hub dog teeth are rounded or sleeve binding occurs.

- Shift keys/springs:
- Why: small hardened springs and keys can wear or break; they are crucial for engagement and to retain the sleeve.
- Replace if bent, broken or fatigued.

- Bearings and seals:
- Why: rough bearings or leaking seals cause noise, misalignment and contamination of synchros.
- Replace if any roughness, play, or leakage is found. Seals are inexpensive and should be replaced whenever case is opened.

- Shift forks:
- Why: they guide the sleeve; worn fork pads cause poor engagement and sleeve misalignment.
- Replace or rebuild if grooves are present.

- Full rebuild kit vs individual parts:
- Why: buying a full syncro kit (or transmission rebuild kit) including all synchro rings, keys, springs, bearings and seals is recommended when multiple items show wear. It’s often more cost-effective than repeated partial repairs.

Tips and cautions for a beginner
- Start with smaller jobs if you’ve never removed a transmission before: practice removing a wheel hub or other simpler assemblies to become comfortable with tools and procedures.
- Photograph each step and keep fasteners in labeled containers so reassembly is straightforward.
- Use an arbor press or shop with a press for tight fits—using a hammer without proper support easily damages shafts and gears.
- If you cannot access a press or precision measuring tools, consider replacing the entire affected synchronizer pack (new hub+sleeve+ring) or taking parts to a machine shop to press-on parts and measure clearances.
- If the FSM specifies shims or endplay setups you cannot achieve, take the transmission and parts to a professional transmission shop for calibration—incorrect shimming can destroy the gearbox quickly.

Final concise checklist before starting
- Obtain the vehicle FSM/spec sheet and a synchro kit or replacement parts you expect to need.
- Gather the tools listed above, especially snap-ring pliers, press/puller access, torque wrench, caliper/micrometer.
- Arrange a safe workspace with jack stands and a transmission jack.
- Replace worn synchro rings and any obviously damaged hub/sleeve, bearings, forks or seals rather than reusing them.

- If you cannot safely press parts, measure to spec, or set endplay/backlash to the factory values, have a transmission shop perform or oversee the rebuild to avoid costly mistakes.
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