Genuine OEM Nissan Rear Differential Front Pinion Bearing – R200 Differential – 38120-13201 / 38120-1320A
Restore smooth, reliable differential operation with the Genuine OEM Nissan Rear Differential Front Pinion Bearing – 38120-13201, a factory replacement bearing designed for compatible Nissan R200 rear differential assemblies.
This genuine Nissan bearing supports the front section of the differential pinion shaft, helping maintain correct pinion positioning and smooth rotation within the differential housing.
The pinion shaft transfers rotational force from the driveshaft to the differential ring gear, making its supporting bearings essential to the correct operation of the final drive assembly.
Over time, pinion bearings can deteriorate through high mileage, inadequate lubrication, contamination, excessive loading or incorrect differential setup.
Worn or damaged pinion bearings may contribute to differential whine, rumbling noises, vibration, excessive pinion movement and accelerated wear of the ring and pinion gears.
Replacing a worn bearing with a genuine Nissan component during a correctly performed differential rebuild helps restore the intended bearing support, running characteristics and reliability of the assembly.
Ideal for R200 differential rebuilds, driveline restorations and maintenance on compatible Nissan Skyline, Silvia, 180SX, Stagea and other Nissan performance vehicles.
Part Number Information: Original Nissan part number 38120-13201 is listed as superseded by 38120-1320A. Confirm the applicable part number against your differential assembly before ordering.
Product Details
- Brand: Genuine OEM Nissan
- Original Part Number: 38120-13201
- Superseding Part Number: 38120-1320A
- Product Type: Differential Pinion Bearing
- Position: Front Pinion Bearing
- Application: Compatible Nissan R200 Rear Differential Assemblies
- Function: Supports and Locates the Differential Pinion Shaft
- Quantity Supplied: One (1) Bearing
- Condition: Brand New – Genuine Nissan
Vehicle Compatibility
This bearing is associated with selected Nissan R200 rear differential applications, including compatible differential assemblies fitted to the following vehicle families:
- Nissan Skyline R32 – Selected GTS-t, GTS-4 and GT-R Applications
- Nissan Skyline R33 – Selected GTS, GTS-t, GTS-4 and GT-R Applications
- Nissan Skyline R34 – Selected GT, GT-T, 25GT-Four and GT-R Applications
- Nissan Silvia S13 – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan Silvia S14 – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan Silvia S15 – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan 180SX – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan Stagea C34 – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan Laurel C33 / C34 / C35 – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan Cefiro A31 – Selected R200 Applications
- Nissan 300ZX Z32 Non-Turbo – Selected Compatible Differential Assemblies
- Other Nissan Vehicles – Where the Differential Parts Catalogue Specifies This Bearing
Important Fitment Information: The vehicle list above is a guide to potential applications and does not mean that every model, year, drivetrain or differential variant uses this bearing.
Nissan vehicles may use different differential assemblies, pinion bearing dimensions and internal components depending on the model, production date and factory specification.
Do Not Order Based on R200 Identification Alone: Not all R200 differential variants use identical internal bearings.
Please verify Nissan part number 38120-13201 / 38120-1320A against the specific differential assembly, original bearing identification or applicable Nissan factory parts catalogue before purchasing.
Key Features & Benefits
- Genuine OEM Nissan differential replacement component
- Designed for selected Nissan R200 rear differential applications
- Front pinion bearing position
- Supports correct differential pinion shaft positioning
- Helps maintain smooth pinion shaft rotation
- Replaces worn, noisy or damaged original bearings
- Manufactured to Nissan's intended component specifications
- Suitable for professional differential rebuilds and repairs
- Helps maintain correct ring and pinion operation when properly installed and adjusted
- Ideal for restoring original Nissan driveline assemblies
What Does the Front Pinion Bearing Do?
The differential pinion shaft transfers drive from the vehicle's driveshaft to the ring gear inside the differential.
The pinion is supported by bearings that allow it to rotate smoothly while maintaining the required position relative to the ring gear.
The front pinion bearing works with the other pinion support components to manage rotational loads and help maintain the correct operating relationship between the pinion and ring gear.
Correct bearing condition, preload and gear adjustment are essential for reliable differential operation.
A worn bearing may allow unwanted movement or produce noise, potentially contributing to damage elsewhere in the differential assembly.
Common Signs of a Worn Differential Pinion Bearing
- Whining or rumbling noises from the differential
- Noise that changes under acceleration or deceleration
- Vibration or roughness from the rear driveline
- Excessive pinion shaft movement
- Metallic debris in the differential oil
- Roughness when rotating the pinion during inspection
- Evidence of overheating or bearing surface damage
- Abnormal differential noise following incorrect setup or lubrication problems
Important: These symptoms may also be caused by worn ring and pinion gears, incorrect backlash, damaged side bearings, wheel bearings or other driveline components. A proper diagnosis is recommended before replacing individual differential parts.
Ideal for Nissan R200 Differential Rebuilds
The Nissan R200 differential has been used across a wide range of Nissan rear-wheel-drive and performance vehicle applications.
As these vehicles age, differential rebuilds are increasingly common during restorations, driveline upgrades and preventative maintenance.
Replacing worn internal bearings with correctly specified genuine Nissan components helps maintain the intended mechanical operation of the differential.
This bearing is suitable for:
- Professional R200 differential rebuilds
- Replacement of worn or damaged front pinion bearings
- Skyline and Silvia driveline restorations
- Repairs following differential bearing noise or damage
- Inspection and overhaul of high-mileage differential assemblies
- Rebuilding compatible factory Nissan final drive units
Recommended Parts to Inspect During a Differential Rebuild
When replacing a differential pinion bearing, it is important to inspect the condition of the complete differential assembly rather than replacing the bearing in isolation.
Depending on the differential design and service requirements, related components may include:
- Rear pinion bearing
- Differential side bearings
- Pinion oil seal
- Pinion collapsible spacer or preload-setting components
- Pinion nut and associated hardware
- Ring and pinion gear set
- Side bearing adjustment components
- Differential housing seals and gaskets
- Correct differential oil
Rebuild Tip: Always use the correct components and factory adjustment procedure for the specific differential assembly being rebuilt.
Installation & Differential Setup Information
Pinion bearing replacement is a precision differential repair requiring specialist tools and mechanical knowledge.
Correct installation may involve bearing race removal and installation, pinion bearing preload adjustment, backlash measurement and verification of the ring and pinion contact pattern.
Depending on the differential design, a new collapsible spacer or other preload-setting components may be required.
Incorrect bearing installation or differential adjustment can result in excessive noise, overheating, premature bearing wear or ring and pinion damage.
Professional Installation Strongly Recommended: This component should be installed by a qualified technician or differential specialist familiar with Nissan final drive assemblies.
Important: Replacing a pinion bearing alone does not guarantee the elimination of differential noise. Existing ring and pinion wear, incorrect gear adjustment or damage to other internal components must also be addressed.
Genuine Nissan Part Number Supersession
The original Nissan part number for this bearing is 38120-13201.
This part number is listed as superseded by 38120-1320A.
Nissan part number supersessions may reflect replacement catalogue numbers or updated supply arrangements.
Please confirm that the supplied part number is applicable to your differential assembly before installation.
What's Included?
- 1 × Genuine OEM Nissan Rear Differential Front Pinion Bearing – 38120-13201 / 38120-1320A
Not Included: Rear pinion bearing, differential side bearings, bearing races supplied separately where applicable, collapsible spacer, pinion nut, oil seals, ring and pinion gears, differential oil or additional rebuild components unless specifically stated.
Why Choose Genuine Nissan?
Genuine Nissan differential components are manufactured to the specifications required for their intended factory applications.
For precision driveline assemblies such as the R200 differential, using the correct bearing is important for achieving the intended fitment, bearing support and operating characteristics.
Whether you're rebuilding a Skyline GT-R differential, restoring a Silvia or repairing a compatible Nissan final drive, genuine Nissan replacement components are an excellent choice for maintaining original equipment specifications.
Note: This listing includes one (1) Genuine OEM Nissan Rear Differential Front Pinion Bearing only. Original part number 38120-13201 is listed as superseded by 38120-1320A. Fitment must be verified against the specific differential assembly. Supplied in genuine Nissan packaging, which may be removed for product photography.
Australian Stock & Fast Dispatch: At OEM4JDM, every part listed as In Stock is physically on our shelf in Australia and ready for fast dispatch.