Yukon Gear Replacement Pinion Flange For Dana 44 / 04-07 Nissan Titan Rear

A rear pinion seal on a 2004-2007 Nissan Titan that keeps leaking no matter how many seals go in, a clunk from the back of the truck when you get on and off the gas, or a driveshaft companion flange damaged during a gear swap all lead to the same part. The Yukon YY NM226-RND-29 is a new round, four-bolt companion flange for the 29-spline pinion in the early Titan's M226 rear axle, the Dana 44-based unit Nissan used under its full-size trucks.

What the pinion flange does in the M226

The flange slides over the splined end of the pinion gear and is clamped there by the pinion nut. The rear driveshaft bolts to its face with four bolts, so every bit of engine torque on its way to the ring gear passes through these splines. The outside of the flange hub is also the sealing surface for the pinion seal. When that hub gets grooved by years of road grit, a new seal rides in the groove and weeps oil again within weeks, which is why the flange is often the real fix for a repeat leak.

Symptoms of a worn or damaged flange

• Gear oil on the front of the axle housing and the driveshaft, coming back after a pinion seal replacement
• A visible groove or rust pitting where the seal lip rides on the flange hub
• Clunk on throttle changes from worn splines between the flange and pinion
• Vibration at speed from a bent flange or one damaged by a pry bar during removal
• Stripped or elongated driveshaft bolt holes

A leak plus a howl or growl that changes with throttle usually means the pinion bearings are also worn. Our pinion bearing noise guide explains how to tell, and the pinion seal leak guide covers the seal-only repair.

How to confirm you need this exact flange

Unbolt the driveshaft and look at the seal surface under good light; run a fingernail across it. If it catches, replace the flange. Grab the flange and try to rock it up and down: noticeable movement points to pinion bearings rather than the flange alone. The spline count is the part that changes by year. Yukon lists this flange as 29 spline for the 2004-2007 M226. Nissan moved to a 24-spline pinion for 2008 and later trucks, and a 2004-2007 axle that has been regeared with 2008-and-later gears needs the 24-spline flange instead. If the axle has been apart before, count the pinion splines or check the gear set's part number.

Fitment

Yukon fits this flange to the Nissan M226 (Dana 44) rear on 2004-2007 Titan, both RWD and 4WD. The same table also lists 2003-2007 Frontier 4WD and Pathfinder RWD equipped with the M226 rear, so check that your truck has the M226 and not a smaller axle. It is a round four-bolt flange, not a U-joint yoke. If you are unsure, send us your year and VIN and we will check it before it ships.

Install notes

• Mark the driveshaft and flange so the shaft goes back in the same position, then unbolt it.
• If you are reusing the pinion bearings, measure the pinion's rotating torque with an inch-pound torque wrench before you loosen the nut so you can return to it.
• Hold the flange with a proper holding tool (see our flange holding tool guide), remove the nut and pull the old flange with a puller, never a hammer.
• Fit a new pinion seal with the new flange and use a new pinion nut.
• Tighten the nut in small steps, checking rotating torque as you go. Yukon's setup chart lists M226 pinion bearing preload at 15-25 in-lb with new bearings and 8-12 in-lb with used bearings.
• If the bearings are worn, do them now: the Titan rear master bearing kit or the full Yukon M226 overhaul kit includes the pinion seal. The USA Standard M226 overhaul kit is the budget alternative.
• Top off with 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil as your owner's manual specifies.

Does this flange fit a 2008 or newer Titan?

No. 2008 and later Titans use a 24-spline pinion. This flange is 29 spline for the 2004-2007 M226 rear.

I put 2008-style gears in my 2006 Titan. Which flange do I need?

Yukon notes that 2008-and-newer 24-spline gears installed in a 2004-2007 axle need the 24-spline flange, not this one. Count the pinion splines to be sure.

Should I replace the pinion seal at the same time?

Yes. Any time the flange comes off, install a new pinion seal. A new seal on an old grooved flange is the most common reason the leak comes back.

Do I need a new pinion nut?

Use a new nut. Tighten it gradually while checking rotating torque so you reach the correct pinion bearing preload without overshooting.

Does it come with the seal or nut?

The listing is for the flange itself. The seal and nut are sold separately or included in the M226 overhaul kits.

Will it fit a Frontier or Pathfinder?

Yukon lists 2003-2007 Frontier 4WD and Pathfinder RWD with the M226 rear. Many of those trucks had a smaller rear axle, so confirm your axle is the M226 first.