Classification:

Reference:

AT15-018

Date:

NTB15-102

January 25, 2016

2013-2015 ALTIMA;
WHINE NOISE FROM CVT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
APPLIED VEHICLE: 2013-2015 Altima (L33) with 4-cyl engine only

IF YOU CONFIRM:
A whine or grind type noise heard during acceleration and/or constant highway speeds.


The level of noise may increase as vehicle speed increases.

AND
There are no other drivability issues or stored DTCs related to the CVT assembly (CVT).

ACTION:
Refer to the REPAIR FLOW CHART on page 3 for repair procedure.
Refer to page 2 for information on special service tools.

NOTE: Parts Kit #1 (see PARTS INFORMATION) must be available at the time the
reduction gear bearing shim selection procedure, starting on page 11, is to be performed.

IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you
will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it
contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
1/48

Required Special Tools










J-50255 - CVT Service Tool Kit: Includes Gauge Block J-50271, Digital Depth Gauge
J-50272, Puller J-50273, and Race Installer J-50274
J-51923 – J-Hook
J-50273-2 – Puller Legs
J-50818 – Converter Seal Installer
J-50393 – CVT Case Differential Seal Installer
J-50394 – Converter Housing Differential Seal Installer
J-8092 – Driver Handle
J-25721-A – Slide Hammer
J-50255-UPD - Slide Hammer Bolt

These tools are considered "Essential" and have been previously sent to each dealer.
Additional tools and/or replacement parts can be ordered from TECH-MATE at
1-800-662-2001.
J-50255
J-25721-A

J-50818

J-50255-UPD
J-50273

J-51923

J-50272

J-50273-2
J-50274
J-50271

J-50274

J-8092

J-50394

J-50393

Figure A

2/48

NTB15-102

REPAIR FLOW CHART
Whine or grind type noise
heard from the CVT during
acceleration and/or
constant highway speeds

Result 2
(see page 8)

Disassemble the CVT, inspect
the reduction gear bearings
and races for cracks or
abnormal wear

Result 1
(see page 8)

Can either reduction gear bearing
Yes
race be moved in its bore by hand?
No

Perform shim
selection procedure

1. Reassemble the old CVT
2. Replace with a new CVT
3. Flush the CVT cooler

NG

OK

Replace
 Gear Kit
 Oil Pump Kit
 Control Valve (valve body)
Install the CVT assembly
and flush the CVT cooler
Install Write IP Characteristics
to the TCM

Install Write IP Characteristics
to the TCM
Flush the CVT assembly

Verify repairs

Work Completed

3/48

NTB15-102

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Disassemble CVT for Inspection
PRECAUTIONS WHEN DISASSEMBLING A CVT ASSEMBLY
Transmissions are vulnerable to particles (dust, metal, lint, etc.).


When disassembling a CVT, make sure your work environment (shop, workbench,
etc.), the transmission area (sub-frame, oil pan, harness connector, etc.), and your
hands are free of contamination.



Make sure all parts are clean prior to assembling / installing. Unpack service parts
just before installation.



Only disassemble the parts which are mentioned in this bulletin.

NOTE: If metal debris is found in the oil pan during disassembly, this is OK. The CVT
will be flushed after reassembly, or replaced.
1. Write down all radio station presets.
Presets
AM
FM 1
FM 2
SAT 1
SAT 2/3
Bass

1

Treble

2

3

4

Balance

Fade

5

6

Speed Sen. Vol.

2. Disconnect both battery cables, negative cable first.
3. Remove the CVT from the vehicle.


Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM), section TM-Transaxle &
Transmission, for CVT removal.

WARNING: CVT Fluid and parts may be hot.
4. Place the CVT on a workbench, use wood or plastic blocks to keep the CVT steady.

CAUTION: The primary speed sensor
may become damaged when handling
the CVT. Be careful when handling the
CVT (see Figure 1).

Primary and
output
secondary
speed
sensors
speed

Figure 1
4/48

NTB15-102

5. Remove all 23 converter housing
mounting bolts (see Figure 2).
NOTE: These bolts will be replaced with
new ones and will not be reused.

Figure 2

J-25721-A
-----

J-50255-UPD

6. Separate and then remove the converter
housing from the CVT case.


-----

J-51923

Use Slide Hammer J-25721-A and
Slide Hammer Bolt J-50255-UPD with
J-Hook J-51923 at the cutout areas
similar to the one shown in Figure 3
and 4.
CAUTION: Do not pry between
mating surfaces.
Figure 3

One of three
cutout areas

Figure 4

5/48

NTB15-102

7. Remove the O-ring from the input shaft
(see Figure 5).


This O-ring will be replaced with a
new one.

O-ring

Figure 5

Reduction gear
assembly

8. Carefully remove the reduction gear
assembly (see Figure 6).

Figure 6

Differential
assembly

9. Carefully remove the differential
assembly (see Figure 7).

Figure 7

6/48

NTB15-102

Reduction Gear Bearing Inspection
1. Visually inspect the outer races and rollers of the reduction gear’s tapered bearings for
damage. Figure 8, 10, and 11 show examples of cracked and damaged rollers and
races.


If no damage found, or any wear or damage is found that is not similar to the
“NG” examples below, go to step 2 on the next page.



If damage found that is similar to the examples below, skip to step 3 on the next
page.

NG

Inspect here

Figure 8

NG

Figure 9

NG

Figure 10

Figure 11

7/48

NTB15-102

2. Result 1: When no damage is found (or damage/wear not similar to the “NG” examples
on page 7), replace the CVT.
a. Record a video of the outer bearings showing no or dissimilar damage (see page 43
for details).
b. Assemble the original CVT.
c. Replace the CVT.


To finish repairs, skip to page 43, Install CVT Assembly.

NOTE:


CVT assembly flushing is not performed with replacement CVTs.



The CVT cooler(s) is always flushed whether repairing or replacing the CVT.
Refer to NTB15-013 for cooler cleaning procedure.

3. Result 2: If similar damage is found, inspect the fit of both reduction gear outer bearing
races. Figure 12 shows the race in the CVT case.
a. Both races cannot be moved by hand: Go to
Remove Reduction Gear Bearing Outer
Races on the next page.
b. Either race can be moved by hand: Replace
the CVT.
aa. Record a video of the outer bearing race
that can be moved by hand (see page 43
for details).
bb. Assemble the original CVT.
cc. Replace the CVT.
 Skip to page 43, Install CVT Assembly.

Figure 12

NOTE:


CVT assembly flushing is not performed with replacement CVTs.



The CVT cooler(s) is always flushed whether repairing or replacing a CVT. Refer
to NTB15-013 for cooler cleaning procedure.

8/48

NTB15-102

Remove Reduction Gear Bearing Outer Races

1. Remove the reduction gear outer race
from the converter housing (see
Figure 13).


Use Slide Hammer J-25721-A with
Slide Hammer Bolt J-50255-UPD to
Puller J-50273 and Puller Legs
J-50273-2 (see Figure 13 and 14).



Make sure the puller jaws grip under
the races.

Puller J-50273
and Puller Legs
J-50273-2

Figure 13

Puller J-50273
and Puller Legs
J-50273-2

2. Remove the reduction gear outer race
from the CVT case (see Figure 14).


Make sure the puller jaws grip under
the races.

Figure 14

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NTB15-102

3. Remove any shims located behind the
races.
NOTE: The removed races and shim(s)
will not be reused.

Figure 15

4. Thoroughly clean both bearing race
bores.

5. Thoroughly clean off the end of the
output speed sensor (see Figure 16).

Output
speed
sensor

After cleaning, go to the next page.

Figure 16

10/48

NTB15-102

Reduction Gear Bearing Shim Selection Procedure
The following is a summary of how to select a shim with the correct thickness:
(1) Measure the bearing outer race bore depth of the CVT case (Mc).
(2) Measure the bearing outer race bore depth of the converter housing (Mh).
(3) Read the reduction gear assembly height from the label attached to the new
reduction gear assembly package.
(4) Select a shim with the measurements above using the NTB15-102 Shim Calculator
in CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus).

NOTE: CVT Service Tool Kit J-50255 and C-III plus are needed to perform the shim
selection procedure.


The Service Tool Kit’s contents are shown on page 2.

1. First, calibrate Digital Depth Gauge J-50272. For step 1a – 1d, refer to Figure 17.
a. Turn the depth gauge ON, set it to “mm” measurement.
b. Place the depth gauge’s Datum level flush on top of Gauge Block J-50271.
c. Carefully slide the depth gauge down until it bottoms out on the gauge block.
d. With the depth gauge bottomed out, press the “ZERO” switch.
 The depth gauge’s display should now read 0.00 mm.

Bottom out

J-50272

Inch/mm switch

“ZERO” switch
On/Off switch

Lay flat

Datum level
Gauge block
J-50271

Figure 17
11/48

NTB15-102

2. Thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of the CVT case.
CAUTION: Do NOT use sanding discs or similar abrasive tools. Use brake spray or
equivalent solvent and lint-free towels only.


Make sure the brake spray or solvents used are compatible with local regulations.

For step 3-7, refer to Figure 18, 19, and 20.
3. Position the gauge block over the outer race bore in the CVT case.
4. Position the depth gauge through the middle of the gauge block.


Make sure the depth gauge’s Datum level is flush on top of the gauge block.

5. Carefully slide the depth gauge down until it bottoms out where the shim and race
bottoms out.
6. Write down the value shown in the depth gauge’s display.
7. Perform step 5 and 6 on the opposite side of the race bore.
Display
Datum level
Measuring
CVT case side

Gauge block

Measure at
bottom on
opposite sides
Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20