Parts for your 2020 Nissan Serena-Driveshafts

2020 Nissan Serena driveshafts — what’s fitted and how to look after them

Based on the Nissan C27 Serena Service Manual (Driveline/Axle section), the Nissan Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), and the 2020 model brochure/technical spec sheets, the 2020 Nissan Serena does use driveshafts. All front‑wheel‑drive (including e‑POWER) grades have left and right front driveshafts (CV axles). Petrol 4WD grades add a propeller shaft to the rear differential, while 2WD petrol grades remain front‑drive only. For 2020 e‑POWER models, Nissan lists FWD only in most markets, so there’s no rear prop shaft on those variants—but the front CV driveshafts are still very much present.

What do they do? The driveshafts take torque from the transaxle to the front wheels, using constant‑velocity (CV) joints so the van can steer and the suspension can move without any drama. Rubber CV boots keep the special grease in and the grime out—once those split, wear ramps up quickly.

There’s no fixed replacement interval for Serena driveshafts. Instead, they should be inspected at each service (or roughly every 10–15,000 km): look for torn or weeping CV boots, slung grease around the inner guards, or cracked boot clamps. On a road test, a rhythmic clicking on full lock, vibration under load between 60–100 km/h, or a shudder on take‑off points to joint or shaft wear. Petrol 4WD grades should also have the prop shaft checked for play, damaged centre bearing support, or knocks on load changes.

If caught early with just a split boot and no joint noise, replacing the boot and re‑greasing is a budget‑friendly fix. Once there’s clicking, excess play, or blueing/pitting inside the joint, a complete shaft assembly is the smarter move for longevity. When replacing, use new axle nuts and seals, and torque everything to Nissan spec. It’s also wise to check the wheel bearing condition, do a quick alignment, and road‑test for residual vibration.

A few easy habits help driveshafts last: avoid torn CV boots by checking them whenever tyres are rotated, keep ride heights stock (extreme lowering stresses CV angles), and don’t ignore early noises. Quality OE or reputable aftermarket shafts with proper heat‑treated joints and good‑fit boots pay off over the long haul.

• Common symptoms: clicking on turns, vibration on acceleration, grease spray near wheels, clunks on load changes (4WD prop shaft).
• Service tip: inspect CV boots and clamps at every oil change, fix small issues before they snowball.

Popular questions about 2020 Nissan Serena driveshafts

Does a 2020 Serena e‑POWER have driveshafts?
Yes. It has two front CV driveshafts. For 2020, e‑POWER grades are FWD, so there’s no rear propeller shaft on those models, but the front shafts are the same essential hardware driving the wheels.

How long do Serena driveshafts usually last?
With intact boots and normal use, they can run well past 150,000 km. Their lifespan hinges on boot condition—once a boot splits and grease escapes, wear accelerates quickly, so early boot repairs make a big difference.

Should both front driveshafts be replaced together?
Not strictly necessary. Replace the faulty side if the other tests fine. If both shafts are the same age and one has failed due to general wear, many owners opt to do both sides to reset the clock.