1987 NISSAN PULSAR brakes

Brakes 183

To Dismantle
(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and place it on
chassis stands. Remove the relevant rear wheel.
(2) Remove the brake hose retaining bolt from
the caliper body and plug the hose to prevent the loss
of fluid and the ingress of dirt. (3) Remove the handbrake cable bracket retain-
ing bolt and disconnect the handbrake cable from the
cam lever.
(4) Remove the guide bolts and slide the caliper
body off the pads. (5) Using a pair of long nose pliers with the nose
located in the recesses of the piston, rotate the piston
anticlockwise to remove it from the caliper body.
(6) Remove the dust cover retaining clip and dust
cover. Discard the dust cover. (7) Using a thin blunt probe, preferably made
from wood or plastic, remove and discard the piston
seal from the groove in the caliper bore. (8) Using internal snap ring pliers, remove the
snap ring from the caliper bore. (9) Withdraw the spring cover, spring, key plate,
pushrod and link from the caliper bore. Do not mix
these components from the left and right hand sides as
they differ. (10) Remove and discard the O ring from the
pushrod. (11) Remove the spring, nut and washer from the
cam lever. Remove the cam lever and cam from the
caliper body. (12) Remove the cam seal from the caliper using a
screwdriver.
(13) Clean all the caliper components in methy-
lated spirits and arrange the components in order on a
clean dry surface to aid assembly.
To Inspect

(1) Inspect the caliper bore and piston for pit-
ting, wear or damage. Renew the caliper assembly or
piston if damage is evident.

NOTE: Slight rust spots in the caliper bore
may be removed with fine emery paper. The
piston must not be polished as the plated
surface will be damaged.

(2) Inspect the guide bolts for wear or damage
and renew as necessary.
(3) Inspect the threads of the pushrod for wear or
damage and renew as necessary. (4) Inspect the nut inside the piston for wear,
damage and security. Renew the piston if any damage
is evident. (5) Inspect the cam for wear, damage or pitting,
renew as necessary. (6) Inspect the cam bearing in the caliper body
for wear, damage or pitting and renew the seal and
bearing as necessary. (7) Inspect the guide bolt rubbers for deteriora-
tion, wear or damage. Renew as required. To Assemble

(1)
Lubricate the cam bearing with multipurpose
grease and install the seal. (2) Install the cam and cam lever to the
caliper
body. Install the cam lever spring, washer and nut, and
tighten the nut to the specified torque. (3) Install a new O ring to the pushrod and
install
the link, pushrod, key plate, spring and spring cover to
the caliper body. The key plate must engage the caliper
body. Secure the assembly with the snap ring. (4) Dip a new piston seal in clean hydraulic brake
fluid. Insert the seal into the groove in the caliper bore
ensuring that the seal is correctly seated and not
twisted. (5) Install a new dust cover to the piston prior
to
installing the piston to the caliper bore.
(6) Coat the piston and caliper bore with clean
hydraulic brake fluid and using long nose pliers rotate
the piston clockwise into the caliper bore. (7) Locate the dust seal in the groove of the
caliper body and install the retaining clip.
(8) Lubricate the guide bolts using a suitable
grease. Install the caliper body and tighten the guide
bolts to the specified torque. (9) Replenish the master cylinder reservoir with
the recommended fluid and bleed the brakes as
described under the Hydraulic System heading. (10) Install the rear wheel and lower the vehicle to
the ground. (11) Road test the vehicle and check for correct
brake operation.
BRAKE DISC

To Check Runout
(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it on
chassis stands. Remove the relevant rear wheel.
(2) Mount a dial gauge stand to a suspension
component and position the dial gauge plunger
against the wheel hub. Check that the end float is less

Using a dial gauge to measure the rear disc runout.

184 Brakes
than 0.05 mm. If the wheel hub end float exceeds
Specifications, the bearing must be renewed as de-
scribed in the Rear Suspension section.

(3) Position the dial gauge plunger against the
centre of the brake disc contact area. Rotate the hub
and measure the runout. Ma ximum allowable runout
is 0.07 mm. (4) If the runout exceeds the specified amount,
machine or renew the brake disc. (5) Install the rear wheel and lower the vehicle to
the ground. (6) Road test the vehicle and check for correct
brake operation.
To Remove and Install

(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. Remove the relevant rear wheel.
(2) Remove the clip securing the brake hose to
the suspension unit and disengage the hose. (3) Remove the bolts retaining the caliper an-
chor plate. (4) Slide the caliper from the brake disc and
suspend the caliper clear of the work area using wire
or cord.
NOTE: Do not allow the caliper to hang on
the brake hose.

(5) Remove the grease cap from the rear hub.
(6) Remove the split pin, nut retainer, hub nut
and washer from the stub axle. (7) Remove the hub assembly from the stud
axle. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Tighten the rear hub to the specified torque.
(2) Install the brake caliper and tighten all the
bolts to the specified torque. (3) Rotate the hub and check for roughness. If
the hub does not rotate smoothly, renew the hub
bearing as described in the Rear Suspension section. (4) Install the rear wheel and lower the vehicle to
the ground.
(5) Road test the vehicle and check for correct
brake operation.
To Inspect

(1) Inspect the machined faces of the disc for
scores, cracks, wear and signs of overheating. (2) Using a micrometer, measure the thickness
of the disc at several posit ions around the face of the
disc. Renew the disc if the minimum thickness is
below Specifications.

(3) If the disc thickness is satisfactory but the
disc is scored, machine equal amounts from the
machined face on each side of the disc, to restore the
serviceability of the disc.


Inspect the machined faces of the disc for scores,
cracks, wear and signs of overheating.
NOTE: Disc machining is best entrusted to
a reliable brake specialist who can advise on
disc serviceability.

7. REAR DRUM BRAKES
TO REMOVE AND DISMANTLE
(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. Remove th e rear wheels and release
the handbrake.
(2) Remove the grease cap from the rear hub.
(3) Remove the split pin, nut retainer, hub nut
and washer from the stub axle. Remove the brake
drum and hub assembly.

(4) Mark each brake shoe and spring to ensure
correct assembly. (5) Rotate the star wheel until the adjuster
assembly is at its shortest length.
Installed view of the left hand side rear drum brake
components.

Brakes 185
(6) Using a suitable pair of pliers, disengage the
upper and lower return springs from the leading shoe,
and then remove them from the trailing shoe. (7) Using a pair of pliers, compress the leading
shoe retainer, turn through ninety degrees and remove
the retainer, spring and pin. Remove the leading shoe
from the backing plate. (8) Using the same procedure, remove the trail-
ing shoe retainer. (9) Lift the trailing shoe from the backing plate
and disconnect the handbrake cable from the hand-
brake lever. Remove the trailing shoe assembly from
the backing plate.
(10) If the brake shoes are to be renewed, remove
the C clip from the trailing shoe and remove the
handbrake lever assembly. (11) If the wheel cylinder is to be overhauled,
proceed as follows:
(a) Disconnect the brake pipe from the rear of
the wheel cylinder and plug the pipe to prevent the
loss of fluid and the ingress of dirt. (b) Remove the bolts retaining the wheel cylin-
der to the backing plate and withdraw the wheel
cylinder from the vehicle. (c) Remove the rubber boots, pistons and spring
from the wheel cylinder bore. Remove the seals from
the pistons. Discard th e rubber boots and seals.
(d) Remove the rubber boot and bleeder valve
from the wheel cylinder.
TO CLEAN AND INSPECT

(1) Thoroughly clean all the brake components,
except the brake shoes in methylated spirits.
(2) Inspect the brake shoe linings. If the thick-
ness of the lining on one or more of the shoes is less
than 1.5 mm thick or contaminated with fluid or
grease, the brake shoes must be renewed as a set. (3) Inspect the wheel cylinder bore and piston
for pitting, wear or damage. Renew the wheel cylinder
assembly if any damage is evident. (4) Check the brake drums for cracks, scoring or
out of round. Renew or machine the brake drums as
necessary.
(5) Inspect the springs and handbrake lever for
fatigue and distortion. Renew as required. (6) Operate the handbrake lever and check for.
smooth operation of the handbrake cable. Renew as
required under the Hand brake Cable and Lever
Assembly heading. (7) Check the bleeder valve for blockage.
(8) Clean and lubricate the adjuster rod.
(9) Clean and inspect the backing plate for
cracks, damage and wear. Renew as required.
TO ASSEMBLE AND INSTAL

(1) If the wheel cylinder was overhauled, pro-
ceed as follows:

(a) Lubricate the pistons and seats with brake
fluid and install the seals on to the pistons so that the
l i p on the seals will be facing towards the centre of the
cylinder.
(b) Install the spring, pistons and rubber boots to
the wheel cylinder ensuring that the rubber boots are
securely located in the cy linder. If necessary, use a
clamp to hold the pistons in the cylinder.
(c) Position the wheel cylinder in the backing
plate and install the brake pi pe to the cylinder. Do not
fully tighten the pipe at this stage. (d) Install the wheel cylinder retaining bolts and
tighten the retaining bolts and brake pipe securely.
Install and tighten the bleeder valve. Install the
valve
boot.


Dismantled view of the right hand rear drum brake
components. Dismantled view of the rear wheel cylinder.

(2) Sparingly lubricate the brake shoe moving
contact surfaces on the backing plate and the adjuster
assembly with a high melting point grease.
(3) If necessary, position the adjusting lever
on
the handbrake lever. (4) If necessary, position the handbrake lever
assembly and washer on the trailing shoe and secure it
with the C clip.
(5) Ensure that the adjuster assembly is adjusted
to its shortest length. (6) Install the adjusting lever return spring to
the
trailing shoe.

186 Brakes
(7) Using a pair of pliers, compress the hand-
brake cable spring and install the cable to the hand-
brake lever.
(8) Position the trailing shoe on the backing
plate with the upper end located on the wheel cylinder
piston and the lower end on the anchor plate. (9) Install the adjuster assembly to the
trailing
shoe ensuring that the adjuster fork is correctly
located on the upper end of the shoe. (10) Install the pin, spring and retainer to the
trailing shoe, turn the reta iner through 90 degrees and
secure the brake shoe to the backing plate. (11) Connect the upper and lower return springs
to the trailing shoe as noted on removal. (12) Position the leading shoe on the backing
plate with the upper end located on the wheel cylinder
piston and the lower end on the anchor plate. Ensure
that the adjuster assembly is correctly located on the
upper end of the shoe. (13) Install the pin, spring and retainer to the
leading shoe, turn the retainer through 90 degrees and
secure the shoe to the backing plate. (14) Connect the upper and lower return springs
to the leading shoe.
(15) By alternatively adjust ing the automatic ad-
juster manually and sliding the brake drum on and off
the brake shoe assembly, adjust the brakes until the
brake drum will just slide over the brake shoes. Ensure
that the adjuster lever contacts the adjuster star wheel.
Install the brake drum and operate the handbrake
several times to adjust the brake shoes. (16) Install the rear wheels and rotate each wheel
to ensure that the brake shoe linings are not dragging.
(17) Bleed the hydraulic system as described
under the Hydraulic System heading. (18) Adjust the handbrake as described under the
Brake Adjustments heading.
8. HANDBRAKE CABLE AND LEVER
ASSEMBLY

HANDBRAKE LEVER AND FRONT CABLE
ASSEMBLY

To Remove and Install
(1) Raise the vehicle and support it on chassis
stands. Release the handbrake.

(2) Working beneath the vehicle, remove the
exhaust pipe centre heat shield retaining bolts and
maneuver the shield from the vehicle. (3) Remove the rear handbrake cable front
clamp retaining nuts and disconnect the rear hand-
brake cable from the equalizer. (4) Working within the vehicle, remove the
carpet square from the rear of the console. Remove
the retaining screw from the front and rear of the rear
console section and maneuver the rear console from
the vehicle.

Dismantled view of the handbrake lever components.
(5) Disconnect the handbrake warning lamp
switch wiring. (6) Remove the handbrake lever assembly re-
taining bolts and remove the handbrake lever and
front cable assembly. (7) If necessary slide the boot and cover towards
the equalizer, straighten the tang on the lower edge of
the lever and remove the adjuster nut and washer.
(8) Withdraw the front cable from the lever and
remove the boot and cover. Inspect the cable for
chafing or broken strands. Renew the cable if damage
is evident. (9) Check the handbrake lever ratchet and pawl
for wear and renew as necessary. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Apply lubricant to all the working parts prior
to installation. (2) Ensure that the handbrake cable clamp is
correctly installed. (3) Adjust the handbrake cable as described
under the Brake Adjustments heading.
REAR HANDBRAKE CABLES
TO Remove and Install
(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. Remove th e rear wheels and release
the handbrake.

(2) Working beneath the vehicle, remove the
exhaust pipe centre and rear heat shield retaining
bolts and maneuver the heat shields from the
vehicle.
(3) Remove the bolts and nuts retaining the
handbrake cable clamps to the underbody and discon-
nect the rear handbrake cable from the equalizer.
(4) On disc brake models, remove the handbrake
cable to bracket retaining clip on the rear of the
caliper and disconnect the handbrake cable from the
cam lever. Remove the cable from the vehicle.
(5) On drum brake models , proceed as follows:
(a) Remove and dismantle the rear brakes as

previously described.

Brakes 187
(b) Disengage the handbrake cable return spring
from the backing plate.

handbrake cable flange from the rear of the backing
plate and remove the cable from the vehicle.

(6) Inspect the rear handbrake cables for chafing
or broken strands. Renew the cables if damage is
evident.

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

(1) Ensure that the handbrake cable clamps are
correctly installed. (2) On drum brake models, install the
handbrake
cable to the backing plate by carefully tapping the
flange on the handbrake cable. Ensure that the cable is
not damaged. (3) Adjust the handbrake cable as described
under the Brake Adjustments heading.
9. BRAKE ADJUSTMENTS

FRONT AND REAR DISC BRAKES
The disc brakes are self adjusting and no manual
adjustment is required or provided.

REAR DRUM BRAKES
Depress the handbrake lever button, apply and
release the handbrake lever several times to adjust the
rear brake shoes.

HANDBRAKE
(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. (2) Remove the carpet square from the rear of
the console. Remove the retaining screws from the
front and rear of the rear console section and manoeu-
vre the rear console from the vehicle. (3) Tighten the adjusting nut until the hand-
brake lever pull is between 7-11 notches. (4) Check that the rear wheels are not binding. If
the rear wheels do not rotate freely refer to the Brakes
Trouble Shooting for possible causes.
(5) With the ignition switched On, check that
the handbrake warning lamp is extinguished when the
lever is fully released. (6) Lower the vehicle to the ground and test the
handbrake on an incline.
10. BRAKE PEDAL

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Working inside the vehicle remove the re-
taining clip from the clevis pin and remove the clevis
pin connecting the brake pedal to the pushrod.

Dismantled view of the brake pedal components.
(2) Remove the nut from the pivot bolt and
withdraw the brake pedal pivot bolt.
(3) Maneuver the brake pedal from the mount-
ing bracket. (4) Remove the spring from the brake pedal.
(5) Inspect the return spring for breakage or
fatigue. Renew as required.
(6) Inspect the pedal pivot bolt for damage or
wear. Renew as required. (7) Inspect the brake pedal for wear, cracks or
fatigue. Renew as required. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Sparingly lubricate the pedal pivot bolt and
clevis pin with a suitable grease. (2) Ensure that the brake pedal pivot bolt is
correctly located in the pedal bracket. (3) Ensure that the clevis pin is inserted fully
through the clevis and the retaining clip is correctly
installed. (4) Check and if necessary adjust the brake
pedal height and stop lamp switch as described below.
TO ADJUST PEDAL HEIGHT

The dimension for the pedal height is measured at
right angles from the floor, with the carpet pulled
back, to the centre of the pedal pad.

(1) Working inside the ve hicle, disconnect the
wiring from the stop lamp switch.
(2) Loosen the stop lamp switch locknut and
position the switch away from the brake pedal. (3) Loosen the locknut on the brake pedal push-
rod and adjust the pushrod to achieve a pedal height
of 155-165 mm on manual transaxle models or
164-174 mm on automatic transaxle models. Tighten
the locknut. (4) Adjust the stop lamp switch as described
under the following heading.

188 Brakes

Illustration showing the brake pedal adjustments. Di-
mension H = brake pedal height, Dimension C = stop
lamp switch clearance, Dimension F - brake pedal free
play.
TO ADJUST STOP LAMP SWITCH
(1) Loosen the stop lamp switch locknut and
disconnect the wiring from the switch.
(2) Adjust the stop lamp switch to achieve a
clearance of 0.3-1.0 mm between the pedal stop and
the threaded end of the switch. (3) Tighten the locknut and connect the wiring
to the switch. Ensure that the stop lamps are off when
the pedal is released.
(4) Ensure that the pedal free play is 1.0-3.00
mm after adjustments have been completed.
11. HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

TO BLEED
Bleeding the hydraulic system should only be
necessary when some portion of the hydraulic system
has been disconnected or fluid has been drained,
allowing air to enter the system.

The brake fluid in the hydraulic system should be
changed every 30 000 km or 18 months. The proce-
dure for changing the brake fluid and bleeding the
hydraulic system are simila r with attention to the
notes in the text.

There are four points in the system where bleeder
valves are installed, one on each front caliper and one
on each rear wheel cylinder or rear caliper.

14. Fill the fluid reservoir with clean hydraulic
brake fluid and maintain at least one third full
throughout the entire operation. 15. Attach a transparent hose to the bleeder
valve on the left rear cali per and immerse the other
Bleeding the right hand rear brake caliper.
end of the hose in a small amount of clean brake fluid
contained in a clean glass jar held higher than the
bleeder valve.

14. Unscrew the bleeder valve one
complete turn.
15. Have an assistant depress the brake
pedal slowly to the full extent of its travel. Close
the bleeder valve and allow the brake pedal to
r e t u r n w i t h o u t assistance. 16. Repeat operations (3) and (4) until
a con stant stream of fluid, without any air
bubbles, is being discharged into the gl ass jar,
hold the brake pedal down and tighten the
bleeder valve.
Bleeding the right hand front brake caliper.

Brakes 189
NOTE: If changing the brake fluid, continue to be made. Always use new brake fluid for
bleeding the system until clean new fluid t opping up the reservoir.
flows from the bleeder hose. (6) Carry out the operation on the right front,
Do not allow the fluid level in the reser- right rear, right rear and left front brake in that order.
voir to fall below the one third full level at (7) Replenish the reservoir with the specified
any time during the operation or air will brake fluid to the indicated level and install the
enter the system and a fresh start will have reservoir cap.

208 Electrical System

STOP LAMP SWITCH
To Remove and Install
Disconnect the switch wi ring at the connec-
tors.
Loosen the switch locknut and unscrew the
switch from the pedal bracket.
Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

The stop lamp switch is also the return stop for
the brake pedal. Adjust the pedal free play as de-
scribed in the Brakes section.


Installed view of the stop lamp switch and the flasher
unit.
HANDBRAKE WARNING LAMP SWITCH
To Remove and Install
Lift the small plastic cover directly under the
handbrake and remove the screws.
Remove the carpet at the rear of the centre
console and remove the screws.
Carefully remove the console from the hand-
brake assembly. Remove the retaining screw and withdraw
the switch from the handbrake lever. To Test


Remove the handbrake console as described
in the previous text.
Disconnect the switch wiring at the con-
nector. Connect an ohmmeter between the switch
terminal and a suitable earth. Pull the handbrake lever up.
If no reading is displayed on the ohmmeter,
the switch is faulty and should be renewed using the
procedure previously described. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure.

COURTESY LAMP DOOR SWITCH
To Remove and Install
With the door fully open, remove the retain-
ing screw from within the rubber cover of the switch. Withdraw the switch from the centre door
pillar.
Disconnect the wiring from the switch and
remove the switch from the vehicle. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure.


View of the courtesy lamp door switch removed from
the vehicle.
REVERSE LAMP SWITCH
On automatic transaxle models, a combined neu-
tral safety switch and reverse lamp switch is installed
on the side of the transaxle. The test and renewal
procedures are described in the Automatic Transaxle
section.

To Remove and Install
Disconnect the wiring connector terminals at
the reverse lamp switch. Remove the reverse lamp switch from the
transaxle housing. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure.
Installed view of the handbrake warning lamp switch.