1987 NISSAN PULSAR length

147
PART 2. MANUAL STEERING
SPECIFICATIONS
Steering gear type ............................ Rack and pinion
Steering column type ...................... Energy absorbing
collapsible and tilt adjustable
Steering wheel free play

(maximum ) ...................................................... 35 mm
Linkage........................... Direct from rack ends to t i e
rods and steering knuckles
Turns lock to lock ................................................. 3.6
Steering column length .................. 534.7-537.3 mm
Steering gear lubricant.............. Castrol EPL 1 grease
TORQUE WRENCH SETTINGS
Steering wheel retaining nut ............................ 39 Nm
Steering gear to bulkhead
mounting bolts .............................................. 108 Nm
Tie rod to steering knuckle nut...................... 98 Nm
Tie rod to tie rod end locknut ....................... 98 Nm
Tie rod ball housing to rack............................ 88 Nm
Steering column to mounting
bracket bolt ...................................................... 14 Nm
Steering column universal
coupling joint pinch bolts ............................... 29 Nm
2. STEERING WHEEL
Special Equipment Required:
To Remove Steering Wheel - Steering wheel
puller

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
(2) Using a small screwdriver, carefully prise the
centre ornament from the steering wheel.

View of the steering wheel removed from the vehicle.
Steering wheels may vary between models.

1. DESCRIPTION
The steering gear is a rack and p i n i o n type
which is mounted on the lower section of the engine
compartment bulkhead by rubber mountings and
brackets.

The design of this assembly requires a range of
special tools to dismantle and assemble the steering
gear. If the steering gear is found to have a fault which
requires overhaul of the rack and pinion, it is recom-
mended that this be performed by an authorized work-
shop or steering specialist.

However, the procedures for the removal and
installation of the steering gear and the renewal of the
tie rods, the tie rod ends and the rubber boots are fully
covered in this section.

The rack and pinion assembly requires no lubri-
cation during service.

The steering column is of the energy absorbing
type designed to compress in the event of a severe
front end collision. The energy absorbing units are the
outer steering column, the tilt bracket and the steering
shaft. All these units shoul d be handled with extreme
care if service operations are performed on the
steering column assembly.

(3) Remove the steering wh eel retaining nut and
mark the steering shaft and steering wheel hub in
relation to each other as an aid to assembly.
(4) Remove the steering wheel from the steering
shaft.
NOTE: If the steering wheel will not sepa-
rate from the steering shaft, loosen the horn
pad retaining screws at the rear of the
steering wheel and withdraw the horn pad
after disconnecting the wire. A puller can
now be used to pull the steering wheel from
the steering shaft. Do not strike the end of
the steering shaft as sharp blows can cause
irreparable damage to the collapsible steer-
ing shaft.

(5) If necessary the steering wheel can be dis-
mantled as shown in the illustration.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Apply a light coat of multipurpose grease to
the horn slip ring and the turn signal canceling pins.
(2) Ensure that the marks on the steering wheel
and steering shaf t are aligned.
(3) Tighten the steering wheel retaining nut to
the specified torque.

148 Steering — Part 2

3. STEERING COLUMN
Special Equipment Required:
To Remove Steering Wheel — Steering wheel
puller

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
(2) Working in the engine compartment, mark
the relationship between the steering shaft universal
coupling joint and the steering gear pinion shaft. (3) Remove the pinch bolts from the universal
joint. (4) Working inside the vehi cle, remove the steer-
ing wheel as previously described. (5) Remove the steering column shroud screws,
unclip the lower and upper covers and remove them
from the steering column. (6) Disconnect all the steering column wiring
connectors. (7) Remove the lower trim from underneath the
steering column.
(8) Fold back the insulator and remove the nuts
from the steering colu mn floor bracket.
(9) Remove the nuts from the lower steering
column bracket. (10) Remove the bolts from the tilt bracket
assembly. (11) Maneuver the steering column from the
vehicle.
Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Measure the dimension between the lower
bracket pin and the upper edge of the steering shaft as
shown in the illustration.

If the dimension is not as specified, the steering
shaft has collapsed and the steering column should be
renewed.

(2) Rotate the steering shaft in the column and
check the shaft bearing for roughness and damage.
Renew as necessary. (3) Inspect the steering shaft universal coupling
joints for wear and damage and renew as necessary. (4) Position the steering column assembly under

the dashboard ensuring that the floor bracket is
located correctly and that the steering shaft universal
joint is aligned with the steering gear pinion shaft
marks.

(5) Install all the steering bracket nuts and bolts
finger tight. (6) Install the universal coupling joint pinch bolts
and tighten securely.
(7) Tighten all the stee ring column nuts and
bolts securely. (8) Test the operation of all the steering column
controls when installation is complete.
TO DISMANTLE

(1) Remove the steering column assembly from
the vehicle as previously described. (2) Suitably mark the position of the universal
coupling joint and remove it from the steering shaft. (3) Mark the position of the rubber boot in
relation to the floor bracket and steering column.
Loosen the retaining bands and remove the boot and
floor bracket from th e steering column.
(4) Using snap ring pliers, remove the snap ring,
plain washer and wave washer from the upper end of
the steering shaft. (5) Loosen the combination switch retaining
screw, push the combination switch in, turn the switch
and remove it from the steering column. (6) Turn the ignition switch to the On position
and slide the steering shaft from the column assembly. (7) If necessary dismantle the tilt bracket com-
ponents after removing the through bolts. Note the
position of the components to aid assembly. (8) To remove and install the steering lock pro-
ceed as follows: (a) Remove the ignition switch retaining screw
and carefully withdraw the switch from the steering
lock bracket.

View of the steering column assembly removed from
the vehicle. Steering column length is shown as dimen- sion A. A - 534.7-537.3 mm. Dismantled view of the steering lock and ignition
switch assembly.

Steering — Part 2 149

Dismantled view of the steering column and tilt bracket assembly.
(b) Using a suitable drill, carefully remove the
heads of the steering lock br acket shear type retaining
bolt heads. Remove the steering lock bracket from the
column.
(c) Install the steering lock to the column
using
new shear bolts. Ensure that the steering lock is
operating correctly and tigh ten the shear bolts until
the heads snap off.
(d) Install the ignition switch and tighten
the
retaining screw securely.
TO CHECK AND INSPECT

(1) Thoroughly clean and dry the components
using a suitable solvent.
(2) Inspect the steering shaft for bends, damage
and wear. Pay particular attention to the steering shaft
universal coupling joint and the internal and external
splines. Renew as necessary. (3) Inspect the steering column upper bearing
for ease of operation and if necessary, renew the
column assembly.
TO ASSEMBLE

Assembly is a reversal of the dismantling proce-
dure with attention to the following points:

(1) Install the steering shaft to the column.
Ensure that the steering shaft is correctly located in
the upper bearing and insta ll the wave washer and the
plain washer. Install the snap ring using a ring
spanner
which has minimum clearan ce over the steering shaft.
(2) Install the rubber boot and floor bracket
to
the steering column aligning the marks made during
removal. If no marks were made, align the cutouts of
the rubber boots with the protrusions on the steering
column and the floor bracket. (3) Before installing the tilt bracket assembly to
the column, measure the steering column length as
shown on the illustration.

If the length is not as specified, the steering
column and the steering shaft must be renewed as an
assembly.

(4) Install the tilt bracket, lever, through bolt,
washers and adjusting nu t to the t i l t bracket.
(5) Before installing the column assembly to the
vehicle adjust the column tilt lever as follows:
(a) Position the tilt lever in its locked position,
the end of the lever should contact the flanged portion
of the tilt bracket.
(b) Tighten the adjusting bolt to 11 Nm.
(c) Unlock the tilt lever fully and ensure that the
column moves smoothly up and down the tilt bracket. (d) Return the tilt lever to the locked position
and ensure that the column is locked securely. Adjust
the tilt bracket thro ugh bolt if necessary.
(6) Install the universal coupling joint to the
lower steering shaft and tighten the pinch bolt se-
curely.
(7) Install the steering column assembly to
the
vehicle as previously described.
4. STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY
Special Equipment Required:
To Renew Tie Rod Ball Housings — Large Still-
sons.
TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
( 1 ) Working in the engine compartment and
with the wheels in the straight ahead position, suitably

Front Suspension 157


Check the stabilizer bar links for wear and damage.
(3) Incorrect front end alignment: Check and
adjust the alignment as necessary. (4) Defective stabilizer bar mounting rubbers or
worn link ball joints: Renew component as necessary. (5) Weak or broken front coil spring: Renew
both springs as a matching pair. (6) Broken or weak rear coil spring: Renew both
springs as matching pair. (7) Drive shaft bent or distorted: Check and
renew as necessary. (8) Tie rod end worn or damaged: Check and
renew as necessary.
(9) Control arm ball joint worn or damaged:
Check and renew as necessary.
(10) Control arm mounting bolts loose: Tighten
the control arm bolts. (11) Wheel hub bearing worn: Check and renew
as necessary. NOTE: As a quick guide to suspension unit
condition, bounce the front of the vehicle up
and down (one side at a time), the vehicle
should come to rest in a single movement. If
it bounces two or three times before stop-
ping, the suspension unit should be renewed.
If the from of the vehicle is tower on one
side than the other, remove the coil spring
and check its free length against a new
spring. If the spring is found to be unservice-
able it is good practice to install two new
springs as a matching pair. This also applies
to the springs on the rear of the vehicle.

2. DESCRIPTION
The front suspension is an independent type
comprising two Macpherson strut suspension units
mounted vertically on each side of the vehicle. The
lower end of the suspension unit is bolted to the
steering knuckle, which in turn houses the front hub
bearings. The steering knuckle pivots on the control
arm by means of a ball joint.

The control arm pivots at its inner ends on rubber
bushes.

A stabilizer bar is attached to both ends of the
control arms using ball joint links. The stabilizer bar
is attached to the front underbody by brackets and
mounting rubbers.

Each front suspension unit assembly comprises a
tubular shock absorber type suspension unit, sur-
rounded at the upper end by a coil spring. On top of
the coil spring is the upper mounting which attaches
to the underside of the inner mudguard panel. The
piston rod of the suspensi on unit is attached to the
centre of the upper mounting by a rubber mounted
bearing.

When a suspension unit is found to be defective it
is recommended that both suspension units be re-
newed as a pair.

Camber is adjusted by means of a cam on the
upper steering knuckle to suspension unit mounting
bolt.

The kingpin inclination and caster are set in
production and cannot be adjusted. Any variation in
these angles will be caused by worn or damaged
components.

3. STEERING KNUCKLE
Special Equipment Required:
To Renew Wheel Bearing — Press and press plates
and suitable tubes and mandrels
To Check Hub End Float — Dial gauge
TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. Remove the front wheel.


Checking the control arm bolts for security.

Front Suspension 163
(2) Ensure that the stabilizer bar links are in
good condition. Renew if necessary.
(3) When installing the stabilizer bar ensure that
the links are installed perpendicular to the control arm
with the ball joint socket face parallel to the end of the
stabilizer bar. (4) Ensure that the brackets are installed with
the flat portion facing towards the front of the vehicle.
Tighten the retaining bolts securely.
7. SUSPENSION AND STEERING ANGLES

ADJUSTMENT
NOTE: Extensive knowledge and special-
ised equipment are required to measure and
correct the suspension and steering angles
with the exception of the front wheel toe in.
Therefore, as it is not a viable proposition
for the average person to carry out a com-
plete wheel alignment, the vehicle should be
taken to a wheel alignment specialist.

Prior to carrying out a wheel alignment, a thor-
ough inspection of the steering linkage, front hub
bearings, ball joints and suspension units should be
carried out. Faulty components should be renewed or
repaired as necessary.

The tread of the front ti res should be examined
for excessive or uneven wear as certain conditions of
tire wear are indicative of damaged or worn compo-
nents in the suspension, stee ring linkage and/or wheels
and bearings. Refer to the heading Tire Wear Trouble
Shooting in the Wheels and Tires section. If the tires
are found to be defective, renew them with serviceable
lyres.

TO CHECK AND ADJUST TOE IN/OUT
NOTE: The vehicle s hould be unladen ex-
cept for the normal amount of fuel and with
the tires inflated to the correct pressures.

(1) With the vehicle on a level floor, raise the
front of the vehicle and s upport it on chassis stands.
(2) Spin each front wheel in turn and using a
piece of chalk, mark a line around the periphery of
each tire as near to the centre as possible. (3) Lower the vehicle to the ground and bounce
the front several times to stabilize the suspension. (4) Set the wheels in the straight ahead position.
(5) Mark the centre chalk line on both tires at a
point approximately 200 mm above the floor and
forward of the suspension. (6) Using a tape measure, measure and record
the distance between the two marked points on the
tire centers.

Diagram indicating the front wheel toe in. Refer to
Specifications for the correct difference between
measurement A and B.
(7) Maintaining the wheels in the straight ahead
position, roll the vehicle forward until the marks are
the same distance from the floor but to the rear of the
suspension. (8) Again using the tape measure, measure and
record the distance between the marks on the tires.
(9) The difference between the front and rear
measurement will give the correct toe in/out reading.
If the larger measurement is at the front, the wheels
are in a toe out position. If the reverse is true, the
wheels are in toe in position. Compare the reading
obtained with the figure given in Specifications.
(10) If adjustment of the to e in/out is necessary,
loosen the tie rod locknuts on both sides. (11) Remove the retaining clips from the small
end of the steering rack rubber boots. (12) Turn the tie rods as required until the correct
toe in/out reading is obtained.
NOTE: It is important to turn each tie rod
equally to maintain the central position of
the steering gear. Ensure that the lengths of
the tie rods are the same.

(13) Tighten the tie rod locknuts to the specified
torque without changing the positions of the adjusters.
(14) Install the retaining clips to the small end
of
the steering rack rubber boots, ensuring that the boots
are not twisted.

Rear Suspension 167

NOTE: When a wheel bearing has been
removed from the hub it must be renewed.

(5) Press the new bearing into the hub, ensuring
that pressure is not exerted on the inner race of the
bearing and that the bearin g seal is not damaged. Do
not apply grease or oil to the mating surfaces of the
bearing and the hub.

NOTE: When installing the new bearing,
the press load must not exceed 3 tonnes.

(6) Inspect the snap ring for wear or cracks and
renew as necessary. Install the snap ring into the hub
ensuring that it is secur ely located in the groove.
(7) Apply multi-purpose grease to the bearing
sealing lip and install the hub as previously described.
4. SUSPENSION UNIT

Special Equipment Required:
To Dismantle — Spring compressor
TO REMOVE AND DISMANTLE
(1) On hatchback models, remove the rear par-
cel shelf and lower the rear seat backrests. Remove the
parcel shelf side panel re taining screws and remove
the relevant side panel.
(2) On sedan models, prise out the parcel shelf
retaining buttons using a suitable instrument and
withdraw the parcel shelf from the vehicle. If the rear
radio speakers are installed, remove the speaker grille
retaining screws and separate the speaker grilles from
the speakers prior to withdrawing the parcel shelf
from the vehicle. (3) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands as describe d in the Wheels and Tires
section. Remove the rear wheel from the vehicle.

View of the suspension unit with the spring compres-
sors installed.
(4) Remove the clip securing the brake hose to
the suspension unit and disengage the hose from the
suspension unit. (5) Support the weight of the knuckle assembly
and remove the bolts and nuts securing the suspension
unit to the knuckle assembly.
(6) Remove the nuts securing the suspension
unit to the body panel and maneuver the suspension
unit from the vehicle. (7) Thoroughly clean the suspension unit and
secure it in a soft jawed vice.
(8) Remove the dust cap from the upper mount-
ing and while holding the end of the piston rod with
an adjustable spanner, loosen the upper mounting
retaining nut. Do not re move the retaining nut.
(9) Using a suitable spring compressor, com-
press the coil spring and remove the upper mounting
retaining nut and washer. (10) Remove the upper mounting, insulator and
spring seat from th e suspension unit.
(11) Withdraw the upper insulator, coil spring,
lower insulator and dust cover from the suspension
unit. (12) Check the coil spring for cracks, deformation
and damage. Compare the free length with a new coil
spring and renew as necessary.
Location of the suspension unit retaining nuts. Hatch-
back model.

Rear Suspension 171
Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) When installing the stabilizer bar to the
knuckle assembly bushes, ensu re that the thicker bush
is installed to the front of the knuckle assembly. Install
the rear bush, washers and nut but do not tighten at
this stage. (2) Install the stabil izer bar mounting
brackets,
ensuring that the end with the large bevel is facing the
front of the vehicle. Tighte n the retaining bolts to the
specified torque. (3) Using a new gasket, install the intermediate
exhaust pipe to the catalytic converter, ensuring that
the earth wire terminal is installed, and tighten the
bolts securely. Install the exhaust mounting
retaining
bolt. (4) Install the rear wheels and lower the
vehicle
to the ground. With the wei ght of the vehicle on the
road wheels, tighten the stabilizer bar retaining nuts to
the specified torque.
8. REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Specialized equipment is required to measure the
rear wheel alignment. It is therefore recommended
that the vehicle be referred to a specialist suspension
workshop or an authorized dealer for measurement
and adjustment. The suspension components should
be inspected and renewed as necessary prior to having
the wheel alignment checked. If any suspension com-
ponents are renewed, the re ar wheel toe out may be
temporarily adjusted as described below.

TO INSPECT
Examine the tread of the tires. Excessive or
uneven wear will indicate misalignment or damaged
or worn components. Refer to the Tire Wear Trouble
Shooting Chart in the Wheels and Tires section for
possible causes and renew the faulty components.

Badly worn tires should be renewed prior to
having the wheel alignment checked.

TO CHECK AND ADJUST TOE OUT
NOTE: The following procedures are only a
temporary measure. Th e vehicle should be
referred to a specialis t suspension work-
shop or authorized dealer for accurate
measurement and adjustment.

(1) Position the vehicle on a level floor and
bounce the vehicle several tim es to settle the suspen-
sion. (2) Move the vehicle forward approximately 5
meters, with the front wheels straight ahead, to settle
the tires and suspension to the normal running
position.
(3) Place a chalk line across both tire treads at a
point equivalent to the stub axle height and to the rear
of the suspension. Place a vertical mark at the chalk line in the
centre of each tire.

(4) Using a telescopic gauge or tape measure,
measure the distance between both vertical marks and
record the measurement. (5) Move the vehicle forward until the marks are
to the front of the suspen sion, with the horizontal
marks at the same height as in operation (3). (6) Measure the distance between both vertical
marks. (7) The difference between the two measure-
ments will be the amount of toe out of the rear wheels. (8) If the toe out is not as specified, adjust the
rear control arm cams as follows: (9) Measure the distance between the inner
wheel rim and the adjusting flange on the rear
crossmember. Measure the distance on the other side
of the vehicle in the corresponding positions. (10) If the measurements are equal, loosen the
cam nut and turn the cam bolt to move the rear
control arm half the distance required to bring the
rear wheel toe out to specifications. Repeat this
operation on the other side of the vehicle.
(11) If the measurements obtained in operation
(9) are not equal, proceed as follows:
(a) If the toe out is less than specifications,
decrease the length of the shorter arm.
(b) If the toe out is greater than specifications,
increase the length of the longer arm.
NOTE: The toe out will alter approximately
2 mm with each graduation of the adjusting
cam.

Diagram indicating rear wheel toe out. B should be less than A. Refer to Specifications.

Brakes 173
Inspect the handbrake cable for chafing or fraying.
(4) Seized handbrake cables: Renew the hand-
brake cables.

NOTE: Raise the vehicle and spin the
wheels one at a time to check for binding. If
the wheels are not binding, have an assistant
apply and release the brakes. Check if the
brakes release immediately. A clogged mas-
ter cylinder port will cause binding on the
two wheels fed by that particular circuit
from the master cylinder. Open the bleeder
valve on one of the o ffending wheels to check
if pressure build up is the cause of the
binding. A seized handbrake cable will usu-
ally cause binding on a rear wheel. Discon-
nect the handbrake cable and check if the
wheel will then turn freely.

LOW SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL
(1) Incorrectly adjusted brake shoes: Check and
adjust the brake shoes.


(2) Insufficient fluid in the system: Check for
leaks, replenish the fluid to the specified level and
bleed the hydraulic system.
(3) Air in the brake hydraulic system: Bleed the
hydraulic system. (4) Master cylinder faulty: Repair or renew as
necessary.
NOTE: A spongy brake pedal in most cases
is caused by air in the hydraulic system. For
air to enter the system one or more of the
sealing rubbers or brake lines must be
sucking in air. Always rectify the cause of
the trouble before bleeding the hydraulic
system. Faulty components usually show up
as fluid leakage.

BRAKES LOCK ON APPLICATION
(1) Gummy linings or brake pads due to oil or
fluid contamination: Renew the linings or brake pads
and rectify the source of contamination. (2) Scored or eccentric brake drum or warped
disc: Check and machine or renew the drum or disc as
necessary.
(3) Incorrect or distorted linings or disc pads:
Check and renew as necessary. (4) Brake servo unit faulty: Repair or renew the
brake servo unit. (5) Broken or stretched brake shoe return
springs: Check and renew th e faulty brake springs.
(6) Faulty brake pressure proportioning valve:
Renew the brake pressure proportioning valve.
NOTE: If this condition arises, remove all
the wheels and check the condition of the
friction material for oil contamination and
excessive wear. Check the shoe return
springs for stretching by comparing their
free length with new sp rings. An eccentric-
brake drum or warped disc will be indicated
by pulsating of the brake pedal when the
brakes are lightly applied.

BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES
(1) Eccentric brake drums or warped disc: Check
and machine or renew the drum or disc as required.
(2) Loose or worn hub bearings: Renew the hub
bearings as necessary.
NOTE: Brake drums or discs that are run-
ning out must be machined. This job is best
entrusted to a brake specialist who will also
be able to determine if a new disc or drum
needs to be installed.

BRAKE FADE
(1) Incorrect shoe adjustment: Check and adjust
the shoe to drum clearance. (2) Eccentric brake drum: Check and machine or
renew the brake drum.

Check the brake hoses for deterioration, chafing and
leaks.