Nissan Sunny - a legendary car that is still actively used on the roads of the CIS. One of the most vulnerable components in the transmission of this model is cardan shaft, especially on cars with mileage over 150,000 km. Wear of the crosspieces, play in the spline joint or deformation of the pipe can lead to vibrations, knocking and even blocking of the drive. In this article, we will look at how to recognize problems with the cardan in time, what spare parts to choose for replacement, and how to carry out repairs yourself - taking into account the nuances of specific generations. Sunny (B13, B14, B15).

Features of the propeller shaft Nissan Sunny - its two-section design (on models with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive 4WD). This complicates diagnosis since vibrations can come from both the front and rear of the shaft. We have collected proven verification methods, current prices for original and non-original parts, as well as step-by-step instructions with photos and diagrams. If you notice knocking when starting off or vibration at speeds of 80–100 km/h, this article will help you save on diagnostics in the service.

Cardan shaft design Nissan Sunny: features and weaknesses

Cardan shaft on Sunny consists of several key elements:

  • 🔧 Shaft pipe - may be deformed upon impact or corrode due to a damaged boot.
  • ⚙️ Crosspieces (2–4 pcs.) - the most common cause of vibrations. Bearing wear leads to play.
  • 🔗 Spline connection — is responsible for compensating for changes in shaft length. Over time, it wears out and begins to “crunch.”
  • 🛡️ Anthers and seals — when damaged, they allow dirt to pass through, accelerating the wear of the crosspieces.
  • 🔩 Flanges and mounting bolts — loosening of fastenings leads to imbalance.

On models Nissan Sunny B13 (1986–1990) and B14 (1990–1994) the driveshaft had a simpler design with two crosspieces, while on B15 (1994–1999) an intermediate support was introduced to reduce vibrations. The main weak point in all generations is crosses, which on our roads rarely last more than 100,000 km. Another problem - shaft pipe corrosion, especially in welding areas. On all-wheel drive versions 4WD a transfer case is added, which complicates diagnostics.

Interesting fact: on Sunny with engines GA14DE And GA16DE the driveshaft is shorter than on versions with motors SR20DE, due to different wheelbases. This is important to consider when purchasing spare parts!

📊 What kind of Nissan Sunny do you have?
  • B13 (1986–1990)
  • B14 (1990–1994)
  • B15 (1994–1999)
  • Other

Signs of a cardan failure: when to sound the alarm

The first symptoms of driveshaft problems are often ignored until the problem becomes critical. Pay attention to the following signals:

Symptom Probable Cause Urgency of repair
Vibration at speeds of 80–100 km/h Shaft imbalance, wear of crosspieces Moderate (may get worse)
Knocking sound when starting or changing gears Play in spline joints or crosspieces High (risk of blocking)
"Crunch" when reversing Spline wear High
Leaking grease from under the boots Damage to crosspiece seals Low (but leads to accelerated wear)
Creak when rotating the shaft manually Seizure of crosspiece bearings Critical (requires immediate replacement)

Particularly dangerous play in the spline connection — it can lead to the cardan “shooting” during sudden acceleration. It's easy to check: put the car on the handbrake, turn on neutral and try to turn the shaft by hand. If a gap of more than 1–2 mm is felt, the splined part or the entire shaft must be replaced.

⚠️ Attention: If the vibration becomes unbearable when driving at speeds above 100 km/h, reduce your speed immediately! Further use may lead to destruction of the crosspieces and blocking of the rear axle.
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To pinpoint the source of the vibration, try downshifting at a speed of 60-70 km/h. If the vibration increases, the problem is definitely in the cardan, and not in the wheels or suspension.

Cardan shaft diagnostics Nissan Sunny: step by step instructions

For an accurate diagnosis, you will need an inspection hole or a lift. Follow this algorithm:

Inspect the boots for cracks and lubricant leaks|Check the play in the crosspieces (rocking the shaft in different planes)|Turn the shaft manually - it should rotate smoothly, without squeaks|Measure the runout of the shaft (permissible value—no more than 0.5 mm)|Check the tightness of the flange bolts (tightening torque—60–80 Nm)-->

To check crosspieces fix the shaft with one hand and try to swing it in the vertical and horizontal planes. Play of more than 0.3–0.5 mm indicates bearing wear. Please note intermediate support (if there is one) - its bearing also often fails.

To check spline connection, follow these steps:

  1. Jack up the rear of the car so that the rear wheels are hanging in the air.
  2. Put the gear in neutral and try to turn the driveshaft by hand.
  3. If you feel a gap or hear a crunching noise, the spline joint is worn out.

To check shaft runout you can use a simple chalk method: 

1. Покрасьте мелком трубу вала в нескольких местах.

2. Прокрутите вал на 1–2 оборота.


3. Если след от мела стирается неравномерно — вал погнут.

⚠️ Attention: On all-wheel drive Sunny 4WD Before diagnosing the cardan, be sure to check the oil level in the transfer case! Its deficiency can mimic the symptoms of a driveshaft failure.

Selection of spare parts: original vs analogues, prices and articles

When replacing a driveshaft or its components, you have three options:

  • 🔹 Genuine Nissan parts - the most reliable, but also the most expensive. Article number for complete shaft B14/B15: 37100-4M000 (price ~25,000–30,000 RUR).
  • 🔹 Analogues from trusted brands:
    • GMB (Japan) - crosses GU-3020 (~2,500 ₽ per set).
    • Febi (Germany) - splined part 28216 (~8 000 ₽).
    • SKF (Sweden) - intermediate support bearings VKBA 3643 (~3 500 ₽).
  • 🔹 Used spare parts - a risky option, but you can find a shaft in good condition for 5,000–10,000 rubles.

If the budget is limited, the best option is replacement crosses and spline part preserving the original shaft tube. Complete replacement is only advisable if the pipe is severely corroded or deformed.

Detail Article (original) Price, ₽ Recommended analogue
Crosspiece (set of 2 pcs.) 37120-4M000 4 200 GMB GU-3020 (2 500 ₽)
Spline part 37110-4M001 12 000 Febi 28216 (8 000 ₽)
Intermediate support (for B15) 37150-4M000 7 500 SKF VKBA 3643 (3 500 ₽)
Cross boot 37131-4M000 800 Corteco 20018641 (400 ₽)

When purchasing crosspieces, pay attention to bearing quality — cheap Chinese analogues often use leaky bearings, which quickly fail. Optimal choice - GMB or KOYO.

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There is no need to skimp on crosspieces! Cheap analogues last 2-3 times less than the original, and replacing them requires the same labor costs.

Replacing the driveshaft Nissan Sunny: step by step instructions with photos

To replace the shaft or its components you will need:

  • 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (10–24 mm).
  • 🔨 Hammer and wooden spacer.
  • 🔩 Crosspiece remover (you can do without it, but it will be more difficult).
  • 🧰 Torque wrench (for tightening bolts with the correct torque).
  • 🛠️ Lubrication ShRus-4 or Molykote for spline connection.

Work order:

  1. Raise the rear of the car and secure it on supports. Be sure to block the front wheels!
  2. Mark with a marker the position of the flanges relative to the shaft and bridge - this will help maintain balance during reassembly.
  3. Unscrew the bolts securing the shaft to the rear axle (4 pcs., tightening torque during assembly - 70 Nm).
  4. Disconnect the shaft from the gearbox (at B15 remove the intermediate support first).
  5. If you are changing crosspieces:
    • Remove the retaining rings using pliers.
    • Press out the old crosspieces with a hammer and spacer (or puller).
    • Install new crosspieces after lubricating the bearings.
  • When replacing the spline part, apply a special lubricant to the splines (for example, Molykote G-Rapid Plus).
  • Reassemble everything in reverse order, observing the tightening torques.

    • After installation be sure to check the shaft balancing! If the vibration remains, you may need balancing on the machine (cost ~1,500 ₽).

    What to do if the flange bolts are stuck?

    If the bolts do not come off, do not try to force them off as this may damage the bridge flange. Use a penetrating lubricant (eg WD-40 Specialist) and let it run for 10–15 minutes. If this does not help, gently heat the bolt with a gas torch (do not overheat the flange!).

    Balancing the driveshaft: when is it needed and how to do it

    Driveshaft imbalance is one of the main causes of vibration at high speeds. Even a new shaft may require balancing if:

    • 🔄 It was disassembled (for example, to replace the crosspieces).
    • 🚗 The car fell into a hole or was hit by a shaft.
    • 🔧 Individual components were replaced (for example, the spline part).

    Balancing can be done in two ways:

    1. Static balancing — the shaft is placed on special prisms, and the heaviest point is determined. Corrected using balancing weights.
    2. Dynamic balancing - carried out on a rotating stand. More accurate, but also more expensive (~2,000 ₽).

    On Nissan Sunny Balancing is required if:

    • Vibration appears at speed more than 80 km/h and intensifies with acceleration.
    • The shaft has been disassembled or subjected to mechanical stress.
    • After replacing the crosspieces or spline part.
    ⚠️ Attention: If vibration remains after balancing, check intermediate support (on B15) - its bearing can also be a source of imbalance.

    Common mistakes when repairing a driveshaft and how to avoid them

    Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to repeated breakdowns. Here are the most common:

    • ❌ Failure to comply with tightening torques - flange bolts must be tightened to a torque 70 Nm. Over-tightening leads to flange deformation, under-tightening leads to backlash.
    • ❌ Using regular spline lubricant - you need a special high-temperature lubricant (for example, Molykote). Litol or grease dry quickly.
    • ❌ Installing crosspieces without a puller - this can cause damage to the bearings. If you don't have a puller, use a hammer with soft spacer (for example, made of wood).
    • ❌ Ignoring anthers - even new crosspieces will quickly fail if the boot is damaged.
    • ❌ Incorrect spline assembly — if the splines do not match, a crunching sound will be heard when moving.

    Another common mistake is failure to check the intermediate support on B15. Its bearing wears out as often as the crosspieces, but many people forget to check it. Symptom of support failure - hum at speed 60–80 km/h, which disappears when turning.

    To avoid problems, follow a simple rule: After any intervention on the driveshaft, be sure to check it while driving at different speeds. If vibration appears after repair, it means something was done incorrectly.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the cardan Nissan Sunny

    Is it possible to drive with a faulty cardan?

    Short term - yes, but with caution. If knocking or vibration is heard at speeds above 60 km/h, driving is not recommended: this can lead to destruction of the crosspieces and blocking the drive. It is especially dangerous to ignore play in the spline connection — it can “shoot” under sudden acceleration.

    How often should the driveshaft be lubricated?

    On Nissan Sunny The crosspieces do not have grease nipples, so they are lubricated for their entire service life. However, if you disassembled the shaft (for example, to replace boots), lubricate the crosspieces ShRus-4 or Litol-24. The spline connection is lubricated with each disassembly (every 50,000–100,000 km).

    How much does it cost to replace a driveshaft at a service center?

    The cost depends on the amount of work:

    • Replacing crosspieces - 3 000–5 000 ₽ (excluding spare parts).
    • Replacing the spline part - 4 000–6 000 ₽.
    • Complete shaft replacement - 8 000–12 000 ₽.
    • Balancing - 1 500–2 500 ₽.

    Do-it-yourself repairs will cost 2–3 times less.

    What crosspieces are best to install on the Sunny?

    Optimal options in terms of price/quality ratio:

    1. GMB GU-3020 (Japan) - the best analogue of the original, resource 80,000–100,000 km.
    2. KOYO (item number depends on the year) - reliable, but more expensive.
    3. Febi (Germany) is a good European option.

    Cheap Chinese crosspieces (for example, Fenox or Master-sport) serve an average of 20,000–30,000 km.

    Why did vibration remain after replacing the crosspieces?

    Probable reasons:

    • Incorrect shaft balancing after assembly.
    • Wear of the intermediate support (on B15).
    • Bent shaft tube (check runout).
    • Marks do not match when installing flanges.
    • Worn spline connection (requires replacement).

    If vibration occurs at speed more than 100 km/hIt's most likely a balancing issue.