 Insert the camera lens behind the pulley between the guide rail and the pulley
where shown in Figure 9 (also see pages 10-11, Figure 11-Figure 14).
 Insert the lens approximately 8-9 inches, and then view the side of the chain that
contacts the pulley.
 Refer to Garage Video #546 if needed for Borescope inspection.
Chain
Pulley
Guide
rail
------

------

Front

Driver side

Driver side of
the chain
Passenger side
of the chain

Figure 10
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

Figure 11 shows where to insert the camera lens on the driver side of the chain.
Chain
Pulley
Guide
rail
Camera
cable
------

------

------

Figure 11



Figure 12 shows where to insert the camera lens on the passenger side
of the chain.
Chain
Pulley
Guide
rail
Camera
cable
------

------

------

Figure 12

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

Figure 13 and Figure 14 shows the routing and location of the camera.

NOTE: The CVT’s side cover was removed for easier viewing of camera location.
The side cover is not to be removed during boroscope inspection.

UP

Front of vehicle

Camera lens
positioned behind
plastic guide

Camera
cable

Primary pulley:
Camera cable
routed past
primary pulley

Figure 13

For best picture,
position camera
lens 10 mm away
from chain
Figure 14

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7c.

Slowly and carefully turn the left front
tire one full turn in the forward rotation
to view all of the chain.


Holding the borescope with one
hand allows for turning the tire
with the other hand (see Figure
15).

CAUTION: If the tire is rotated in the
rearward rotation, the camera lens
may get caught between the chain
and pulley.
Figure 15
d. Is the chain OK on all 360° of both surfaces?


Refer to Garage Video #546 if needed (see page 7).

YES: Proceed to step 8.
NO: If the chain inspection result is NG, proceed to CVT Assembly Removal on
page 16.

To avoid damage to the transaxle, a cooler flush is required after a valve body or CVT
assembly replacement.
8.

Flush the CVT cooler(s). For the procedure to flush the CVT cooler, refer to the ESM:


For 2013-2014 Altima and 2013-2014 Pathfinder, refer to: TRANSMISSION &
DRIVELINE > TRANSAXLE & TRANSMISSION > CVT: RE0F10E > BASIC
INSPECTION > CVT FLUID COOLER SYSTEM > CVT COOLER FLUSH



For 2015-2018 Altima and 2016-2021 Maxima, refer to: TRANSMISSION &
DRIVELINE > TRANSAXLE & TRANSMISSION > CVT: RE0F10H > BASIC
INSPECTION > CVT FLUID COOLER SYSTEM > CVT COOLER FLUSH / CVT
Fluid Cooler Flush



For 2015-2021 Murano, 2015-2020 Pathfinder, and 2015-2017 Quest, refer to:
TRANSMISSION & DRIVELINE > TRANSAXLE & TRANSMISSION > CVT:
RE0F10E > BASIC INSPECTION > CVT FLUID COOLER SYSTEM > CVT
COOLER FLUSH / CVT Fluid Cooler Flush
OR
TRANSMISSION & DRIVELINE > TRANSAXLE & TRANSMISSION > CVT:
RE0F10J > BASIC INSPECTION > CVT FLUID COOLER SYSTEM > CVT
COOLER FLUSH / CVT Fluid Cooler Flush

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9.

Replace the valve body.
 For valve body replacement, go to page 85, Control Valve (Valve Body) Strainer
and Pan Installation.

Inspect this side
Inspect this side
Do not inspect
this side

Do not inspect
this side

Figure 16

CVT chain
Figure 17

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Inspect these surfaces

Close-up of area to be inspected
Figure 18
Pictures in Figure 19 and Figure 20 were taken with borescope J-51951.

OK

OK

Writing will show as
reversed; this is normal
Figure 19

Figure 20

OK

Figure 21

OK

Figure 22
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Pictures in Figure 23 and Figure 24 were taken with borescope J-51951.
Scuff marks
caused by
slippage

NG

Figure 23

NG

Figure 24

NG

Figure 25

NG

Figure 26

NG

Figure 27
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CVT Assembly Removal

Overview of Sub-assembly Repair

1. Precautions When Disassembling a CVT Assembly
2. Remove the CVT
3. Apply rust penetrant to dowel pins
4. Remove Converter Housing, Oil Seals, Oil Pump Cover, Oil Pump, Oil Filter
5. Confirm Thrust Bearing Type
6. Clean the CVT Case Surfaces
7. Clean Oil Passages in CVT Case, Oil Pump Cover, and CVT Filter Area
8. Install New Oil Pump
9. Temporarily Install Dummy cover, Torque Converter Housing and Filter Cover
10. Check Pulley Movement Characteristics
11. Install Sub-assembly – Pulley, Chain and Side Cover
12. Remove Side Cover and Install Lubrication Caps
13. Apply Sealant, Install Side Cover and Bracket Bolts
14. Confirm Parking Rod Operation
15. Check New Pulley Movement Characteristics
16. Torque Bracket Bolts
17. Adjust Total Thrust Bearing End-play
18. Clean Torque Converter Housing, Dummy
Cover and Baffle Plates
19. CVT Reassembly
20. Install Valve Body, Strainer, and Pan
21. Install CVT Assembly

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Remove the CVT

10.

Temporarily install the oil pan gasket
and oil pan with four oil pan bolts to
corners of the oil pan, hand tight
(Figure 28).
NOTE: A new valve body will be
installed later in this procedure.

Figure 28

11.

Remove the CVT from the vehicle.


Refer to the ESM, section TM-Transaxle & Transmission, or any applicable
TSBs for removal information.

AWD Vehicles
CAUTION:


Use extreme care when moving the axle in and out of the transfer assembly.



To avoid seal damage or deformation, properly support and guide the axle.

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12.

Place the CVT on a workbench with
the oil pan side down.


Use wood or plastic blocks to keep
the CVT steady.
CAUTION: Do not deform the oil
pan.

13.

Remove the torque converter.
Figure 29

14.

Drain CVT fluid out of the torque
converter.
Torque
converter
Figure 30

Primary speed
sensor

15.

Remove the primary speed sensor.
IMPORTANT: The speed sensor
will be reused.

Figure 31

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Remove the Converter Housing, Oil Seals, Oil Pump Cover, Oil Pump and Oil Filter

16.

Remove all 24 converter housing
mounting bolts (see Figure 32).
NOTE:



These bolts will be replaced with
new ones and will not be reused.

Dowel Pin

Apply rust remover to the dowel
pins if needed.

Figure 32

17.

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

Use Slide Hammer J-25721-A and Slide Hammer Bolt J-50255-UPD with J-Hook
J-51923 at the cut out areas similar to the one shown in Figure 33 and Figure 34.



Work around the CVT at specified areas, repeatedly until case halves separate.
CAUTION: DO NOT use a pry-bar, chisel, etc. to separate the side cover from
the CVT case.

J-25721-A
-----

J-50255-UPD
-----

J-51923

One of three
cutout areas

Figure 34

Figure 33

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18.

Note the location of the pin shown in Figure 35.
CAUTION: This pin can slip out during movement of the CVT while converter housing
is removed.

Figure 35

19.

O-ring

Remove the O-ring from the input
shaft.


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

Figure 36
20.

Carefully remove the reduction gear assembly (Figure 37).

21.

Carefully remove the differential assembly (Figure 38).
Reduction gear
assembly

Differential
assembly

Figure 37

Figure 38
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22.

Remove the following oil seals using
suitable tools:
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage
any of the seal bore surfaces.

a. CVT case differential side oil seal

(drive shaft seal).


See Figure 39.
Figure 39

b. Torque converter seal (Figure 40).

Figure 40

c. Converter Housing differential side

right hand oil seal (drive shaft
seal).


See Figure 41.

NOTE: All wheel drive transfer
case O-ring will be replaced later
in this procedure.

Figure 41
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Baffle
plate nuts
23.

Remove the two (2) nuts from baffle
plate A, and then remove baffle plate
A (see Figure 42).

Figure 42

24.

Baffle
plate A

Remove the oil pump chain, driven and drive sprockets as one assembly (Figure 43).


Spread the snap ring to remove the sprocket (Figure 44).
IMPORTANT: The drive sprocket has a specific top and bottom. Keep the sprockets
and chain together after removal.

Drive sprocket

Driven sprocket
Oil pump chain
Snap ring
Figure 44

Figure 43

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Thrust washer
25.

Remove the following:

a. “Pump cover” (dummy cover)

thrust washer (Figure 45).


This thrust washer will be
reused.

Dummy cover

Figure 45

Snap ring
b. Oil pump snap ring (Figure 46).



Lightly push the ends of the
snap ring together, rotate one
side upwards while pulling the
snap ring towards the pump
opening.



This snap ring will be reused,
do not discard.
Figure 46

c. Oil pump bracket (Figure 47).


Oil pump
bracket

Retained by two bolts.

Figure 47

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26.

Remove the four (4) bolts from baffle
plate B, and then remove baffle plate
B (Figure 48).
Baffle
plate B
Figure 48

27.

28.

Remove the two (2) bolts from baffle
plate C, and then remove baffle plate
C (Figure 49).