Has anyone found diff shims that fit the r200? Seems really stupid that every other vehicle you can just buy a pack for $15 and then just use what you need, but for us we have to take the diff out, measure backlash, then order what we need for $15 a shim, and wait one to several weeks before its delivered. Has no one found a better way of shimming?

 

If you're talking about the pinion washer, look on the pinion, there will be a + or - number stamped on it. That's the pinion height washer you use.

If you're talking about the gear thrust washer measure backlash while disassembling and decide if you need to go up or down in size, then disassemble and measure the ones currently in the diff, order the size you think you need and 1 size up, 1 size down pairs.

If you have the R200 there's only a half dozen gear thrust washers, the R200V it's about 2 dozen dozen iirc because there's a bigger gap to fill between the VLSD gear and the outer housing of the VLSD carrier.

If you're talking about the two side carrier bearing washers, use feeler gauge, measure the clearance, order the correct set of thrust washers, typically I order the set I need as well as 2 smaller and 2 larger. Reason being when you do final assemble, both the backlash, and how many lbs of force it takes to turn the assembly you will probably have to make a small adjustment with those side bearing washers if it's too little or too much pulling force. Sell the ones you don't use on eBay or pay a restocking fee to your local Nissan.

Each of these washers are only like $15 apiece at your local Nissan and it's something they probably carry in stock since it's literally been the same shims from 1990 to present RWD Nissan/Infiniti vehicles. I would imagine the R200 gear washers are more commonly in stock since the R200V VLSD diff was a little more uncommon but they probably have them all in stock.

-Pinion washer it's easy, just get the one marked on your pinion.

-Differential side gear thrust washer is easy, measure backlash while disassembling, note where you need thinner or thicker washers, disassemble and measure the ones you have, order a size up or down (I usually order the size I think I need and 1 size both up and down extra). Keep in mind you will probably need to make a final smaller adjustment to backlash with the side bearing washers. Mostly you're just making sure you have good gear engagement and it's riding right in the middle of the ring gear teeth.

-Side bearing washers , wait until you have the correct backlash washers installed then feeler gauge to see what thickness you need, get 2 sizes over and 2 under just in case. Pull gauge to see whether it's too tight or lose when doing your final install and shim up/down as needed, verify backlash each time you change washers, you'll have to settle for a happy medium on the carrier pull while maintaining the proper backlash. iirc carrier pull needs to be as close as you can get to 8 lbs, I've never found a good gauge for this so I use one that's used for weighing fish because it has a more generic hook that is better for grabbing the bolts on the ring gear to pull from.

So you will probably need 1x pinion washer, 6x gear washer, 10x side bearing washers. Return all the unused parts for a refund, usually if you just talk to the parts counter ahead of time and verify that returns are ok then they won't have a problem with it. Sometimes they want to only give credit towards other services, spend it on discounted tires or something. I've never met a parts counter guy that wasn't willing to haggle a little. If they won't take returns just sell the extra stuff on eBay. Or keep them on the shelf with all your Nissan differential stuff and use them in the future

I've never seen a master shim kit but that doesn't mean they're not available, I've never looked since I know Nissan carries the exact parts I need.

Part numbers and specs are all in the FSM section RFD - Rear Final Drive.

 

Or if you don't mind more trips to Nissan you could just try to bullseye the gear thrust washer on the first try. I almost always have to make a little adjustment though once you chalk the gear and spin it to see where the engagement is on the ring gear. Very uncommon to have perfect engagement on the first try.