1987 NISSAN PULSAR wheel

128 Manual Transaxle and Drive Shafts
TRANSAXLE NOISE (FORWARD GEARS
ENGAGED, VEHICLE MOVING)

(1) Insufficient lubricant: Fill the transaxle with
the correct grade and quantity of oil. (2) Worn input shaft or mainshaft bearings:
Overhaul the transaxle and renew the faulty bearings. (3) Chipped or pitted gears: Check and overhaul
the transaxle and renew the faulty gears. (4) Damaged or worn sync hroniser assemblies:
Overhaul the transaxle and renew the synchroniser
assemblies.
FINAL DRIVE GEAR NOISE

(1) Insufficient lubricant: Fill the transaxle case
with the correct grade and quantity of oil. (2) Chipped or pitted final drive gear and/or ring
gear: Overhaul the transaxle and renew components as
necessary. (3) Worn differential carrier bearings: Overhaul
the differential assembly.
(4) Worn mainshaft or input shaft bearings:
Overhaul the transaxle.
NOTE: Check the oil level in the transaxle
case and the condition of the front hub
bearings and drive shaft joints prior to
overhauling the transaxle.

EXCESSIVE BACKLASH IN FINAL DRIVE
(1) Excessive end float in the differential carrier
bearings due to worn or incorrect bearing preload
adjustment: Check and adjust the bearing preload or
renew the bearings.

(2) Ring gear to differential case bolts loose:
Overhaul the transaxle and tighten the bolts to the
specified torque.

(3) Excessive wear in the final drive gear: Check
and overhaul the transaxle. (4) Excessive wear in the differential pinions,
side gears or pinion shaft: Overhaul the differential
assembly.
NOTE: Prior to overhauling the differential,
check the serviceability of the C.V joints on
the drive shafts.

NO DRIVE IN ANY GEAR
(1) Sheared ring gear to differential case bolts:
Overhaul the differential assembly.

(2) Broken drive shaft: Check and renew com-
ponents as necessary.

(3) Inner C.V. joint shaft out of mesh with
differential side gear: Weak or broken inner C.V. joint
shaft snap ring. Renew as necessary.

NOISE OR VIBRATION IN DRIVE SHAFTS
( 1 ) Bent or twisted drive shafts: Check and
renew the drive shafts as necessary.


Check the drive shaft rubber boots for deterioration.
(2) Worn or damaged inner or outer C.V. joint:
Check and renew components as necessary. (3) Lack of lubricant due to damaged C.V. joint
boots: Check the C.V. joints for wear, repack the C. V.
joints and renew th e C.V. joint boot.
(4) Loose drive shaft hub nut: Tighten the hub
nut to Specifications. (5) Worn splines on the drive shaft or C.V. joint
inner race. Check and renew the faulty components or
drive shaft as an assembly.
NOTE: Noise or vibration in the front end
can also be caused by excessive tire or wheel
unbalance.

2. DESCRIPTION
The five speed transaxle installed in the Pulsar
range of vehicles covered by this manual has synchro-
mesh on all the forward gears.

The reverse gear is a spur idler gear which is
selected by sliding the idler gear into mesh with the
input shaft and the mainshaft.

The transaxle and differential assemblies are ac-
commodated in the same housing and the one oil level
check covers both assemblies.

Gear selection is by mean s of selector forks and a
striking rod which is operated by a floor mounted gear
lever assembly. A mechanism inside the transaxle
prevents the selection of re verse gear from fifth gear
until the gear lever is moved sideways in neutral. The
differential and final dr ive assembly runs on two
tapered roller bearings. Pr eload on these bearings is
adjusted by shims installed behind the bearing cups.
The assembly is driven by the mainshaft pinion
engaging the ring gear on the differential case.

The drive shafts are engaged with the differential
side gears at the inner end and the front wheel hubs at
the outer end.

The drive shafts and each C.V. joint can be

Manual Transaxle and Drive Shafts 129

renewed as individual units. The C.V. joints are
lubricated in manufacture and need no attention in
service unless one of the r ubber boots is damaged. In
this case the joint can be cl eaned and repacked with
the recommended grease and a new boot installed.

From July 1989, Pulsar Q and Vector SSS manual
transaxle models are equipped with a limited slip
differential incorporating a viscous coupling. The
coupling is not repairable and must be renewed as an
assembly if unserviceable. A test procedure for the
viscous coupling is included in the text in this section.

3. TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY
Special Equipment Required:
To Dismantle and Assemble — Puller set, press
and press plates, dial gauge
To Measure Mainshaft Turning Torque —
Suitable slotted adaptor and torque gauge

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands.

(2) Remove the battery as described in the
Electrical System section. (3) Remove the drive shafts as described later in
this section. (4) Disconnect and remove the starter motor as
described in the Elect rical System section.

Front view of the transaxle removed from the vehicle.
(5) Support the rear of the engine using a jack
with a piece of timber between the jack head and the
engine sump.
(6) Remove the bolts retaining the clutch hous-
ing to the engine. (7) Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor wiring,
the reverse lamp wiring, the gear lever control rod and
the gear lever support rod from the transaxle. (8) Remove the transaxle mounting through bolt
and remove the bolts retaining the mounting bracket
to the transaxle.
(9) With the left hand front wheel removed,
remove the left hand inner mudguard panel. (10) Maneuver the transaxle away from the
engine. Lower and withdraw the transaxle from under
the vehicle.
NOTE: Do not allow the transaxle to hang
on the clutch driven plate during removal.
Support the transaxle on a trolley jack if
necessary.

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

(1) Lubricate the input shaft splines sparingly
with lithium base molybdenum disulphide grease. (2) Support the transaxle during installation. Do
not allow the transaxle to hang on the clutch driven
plate. (3) Tighten all bolts to the specified torque.
(4) Fill the transaxle with the specified quantity
and grade of oil. (5) Road test the vehicle and check for correct
transaxle operation. Also ch eck for transaxle oil leaks
and rectify as necessary.
TO DISMANTLE

(1) Remove the clutch release components from Rear view of the transaxle removed from the vehicle.

Manual Transaxle and Drive Shafts 135
possible to move the striking rod from fifth gear to
reverse without first moving sideways in the neutral
gate.
4. DIFFERENTIAL AND FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Special Equipment Required:
To Measure Differential Turning Torque —
Suitable slotted adaptor and torque gauge
TO CHECK VISCOUS COUPLING
From July 1989, Manual transaxle Pulsar Q and
Vector SSS models are equipped with a limited slip
differential incorporating a viscous coupling.

(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. (2) Rotate one front wheel and check the rota-
tional direction of the opposite wheel. (3) If both front wheels rotate in the same
direction, the viscous coupling is functioning nor-
mally. (4) If the front wheels rota te in opposite direc-
tions, the viscous coupling is unserviceable and must
be renewed as an assembly.
TO DISMANTLE AND ASSEMBLE

It is necessary to remove and dismantle the
transaxle assembly to gain access to the differential
and final drive assembly.

Refer to the Transaxle Assembly heading for the
removal of the transaxle from the vehicle. Operations
1-9 of the dismantling procedure under the same
heading describe the removal of the differential and
final drive assembly from the transaxle.

(1) If necessary, cut and remove the speedome-
ter drive gear from the differential case. (2) Using a suitable puller, remove the differen-
tial carrier bearing cone and roller assemblies from the
differential case and remove the speedometer drive
gear stopper.
(3) Remove the ring gear retaining bolts and
separate the ring gear from the differential case using
a soft faced hammer.
(4) Using a pin punch, remove the retaining pin
from the differential pinion shaft.
(5) Remove the pinion shaft from the differen-
tial case. (6) Remove the pinion gears and thrust washers
from the differential case. (7) Remove the side gears and spacers from the
differential case.
NOTE: If applicable, the viscous coupling is
integral with the left hand side gear.

(8) Wash all the differential components with
cleaning solvent. (9) Check the gears, spacer s, thrust washers,
pinion shaft and differential case for wear, pitting and
damage. Renew parts as necessary.
(10) Install the side gears and spacers to
the
differential case.
(11) Install the pinion gear s and thrust washers
to
the differential case.
(12) Install the pinion shaft to the differential case
aligning the retaining pin hole. (13) Install the retaining pin to the pinion shaft
until the end of the pin is level with the differential
case. (14) With a dial gauge contacting the end of the
side gear, lift the side gear evenly and measure the
clearance between the side gear and the differential
case. The clearance should be 0.1-0.2 mm.
NOTE: Do not tilt the side gear or the dial
gauge reading will be incorrect.

(15) If necessary, adjust the side gear clearance
using selective fit spacers.

NOTE: Spacers are available from 0.15 mm
to 1.00 mm in increments of 0.05 mm.

(16) Measure and if necessary, adjust the other
side gear clearance. (17) On models equipped with a viscous cou-
pling, adjust the side gear clearance as follows:
(a) Temporarily secure the differential case with
two bolts. (b) Position the differential case so that the right
hand side gear is uppermost. (c) Insert a 0.03 mm feeler gauge between the
View of the differential ass embly removed from the
transaxle.

Manual Transaxle and Drive Shafts 137


Dismantled view of the gear lever assembly.
(7) Remove the bushes, spacer and O rings from
the bottom of the gear lever.
(8) Remove the nuts retaining the floor bracket
to the vehicle floor panel and remove the bracket from
the vehicle. (9) If necessary, disconnect the control rod and
the support rod from the transaxle and remove the
rods from the vehicle. (10) Check all the components for deterioration,
wear and damage. Renew the unserviceable compo-
nents as necessary. Assembly is a reversal of the dismantling proce-
dure with attention to the following points:

(1) Install all the components to the locations
noted during dismantling.
(2) Lubricate all the pivot points with multipur-
pose grease prior to assembly. (3) Tighten all the nuts securely.
(4) Road test the vehicle and check for correct
gear selection.
6. DRIVE SHAFTS

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Remove the dust cap from the centre of the
front hub. Remove the split pin and nut retainer from
the outer end of the drive shaft. (2) With an assistant applying the brakes, loosen
the nut on the outer end of the drive shaft.
(3) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. If necessary, refer to the Wheels and
Tires section for the correct jacking points.

Assembled view of the left hand side drive shaft
assembly.
(4) Remove the split pin and castellated nut
retaining the tie rod to the steering knuckle. (5) Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering
knuckle using a suitable puller or alternatively place a
hammer or dolly on one side of the steering knuckle
and strike the opposite side with a hammer.
(6) Remove the split pin and castellated nut
retaining the suspension ball joint to the bottom of the
steering knuckle. (7) Disconnect the suspension ball joint from
the steering knuckle using a suitable puller or alterna-
tively place a hammer or dolly on one side of the
steering knuckle and strike the opposite side with a
hammer. (8) Remove the retaining bolts and remove the
brake caliper from the stee ring knuckle. Refer to the
Assembled view of the right hand side drive shaft
assembly.

Automatic Transaxle 143
facing towards the radiator support panel at the front
of the vehicle.

The neutral safety switch allows electrical current
to pass to the starter circ uit only when the selector
lever is in the Park or Neutral position. The switch is
adjustable but non-repairable.

TO TEST
(1) Disconnect the neutral safety switch wiring
connector.
(2) Connect an ohmmeter between terminals 1
and 2 at the neutral safety switch wiring connector.
Continuity should exist when the selector lever is in
the P or N positions. (3) Perform the same check with terminals 3 and
4 with the selector lever in the R position. Continuity
should exist.
NOTE: If the readings are other than that
specified, the neutral safety switch will have
to be adjusted or renewed.


Neutral safety switch connector terminal identification.
TO ADJUST
(1) Select Neutral and firmly apply the hand-
brake. (2) Loosen the neutral safety switch retaining
bolts.
(3) Align the holes in the neutral safety switch
body and the neutral safety switch arm. (4) Install a 2.5 mm diameter split pin or drill bit
into the holes to align the arm with the neutral safety
switch body. (5) Secure the retaining bolts and test the switch
as previously described.

If the test indicates a fault, renew the neutral
safety switch.

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. (2) Remove the selector cable split pin and wave
washer from the transaxle selector lever.
(3) Disconnect the electric al connector and re-
move the neutral safety switch retaining bolts. (4) Maneuver the neutral safety switch clear of
the transaxle selector lever and withdraw the switch
from the vehicle. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Clean the area around the neutral safety
switch mounting.
(2) Apply a small amount of chassis grease to the
jaws of the neutral safety switch arm. (3) Check the adjustment of the selector cable as
previously described. (4) Adjust the neutral safety switch as previ-
ously described.

(5) Check the operation of the neutral safety
switch and ensure that the engine will not start in any
position other than P and N. Check that the reversing
lamps operate only when R is selected.

8. TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY
Special Equipment Required:
To Remove and Install — Suitable trolley jack to
which the transaxle can be secured

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands. Remove the left hand front wheel.

(2) Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Remove the left hand side inner mudguard

(3)
panel.

(4) Remove the left hand drive shaft as de-
scribed in the Manual Tran saxle and Drive Shafts
section. (5) Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor wiring,
selector control cable and the neutral safety switch
wiring from the transaxle. Disconnect the kickdown
cable from the throttle linkage and the support
bracket. (6) Disconnect the oil cooler hoses from the
Using a 2.5 mm drill bit to adjust the neutral safety
switch.

145
STEERING
PART 1. STEERING TROUBLE SHOOTING
FAULTS, CAUSES AND REMEDIES
EXCESSIVE PLAY OR LOOSENESS IN
STEERING GEAR

(1) Tie rod end ball joint loose or worn: Tighten
or renew the worn tie rod end ball joint. (2) Steering gear assembly loose on cross-
member: Inspect for damage and tighten the steering
gear mounting bolts. (3) Steering gear worn: Overhaul the steering
gear.


(2) Low fluid level in the power steering reser-
voir: Check for leakage, repa ir and/or renew the faulty
components. Top up the fluid level.
(3) Suspension worn or out of alignment: Check
the front suspension for wear, renew the worn com-
ponents and realign. (4) Misalignment between the steering gear and
column mountings: Check and align the steering gear
and column mountings. (5) Binding in the steering shaft universal coup-
ling joints: Check the join ts and renew if necessary.
(6) Ingress of dirt into the steering gear due to a
defective boot: Clean, check and lubricate the internal
components of the steering gear and renew the
defective boot. (7) Insufficient power steering pump pressure:
Check the pump drive belt tension and reservoir fluid
level. If necessary renew the pump assembly.
NOTE: Ensure that both front tires have
ample depth of tread and are inflated to the
correct pressure. Check the front suspension
components for wear before having the steer-
ing geometry checked. See the Front Sus-
pension section for the component checking
procedures.


Check the tie rod ends for wear and the rubber boots for deterioration.
(4) Worn front hub bearings: Check the condi-
tion and renew the front hub bearings. (5) Worn or damaged front suspension control
arm bushes: Renew the control arm or bushes.
NOTE: Looseness in th e steering linkage is
best assessed with the weight of the vehicle
on the front wheels. Have an assistant turn
the steering wheel from left to right while the
inspection for wear is being made. If loose-
ness is found to be in the steering gear, it
will be necessary to overhaul the steering
gear assembly.

HEAVY STEERING
(1) Low or uneven tir e pressures: Check the
tires and inflate to the recommended pressures.


Checking the steering rack boot s for splits and deteri-
oration.

146 Steering — Part 1

STEERING PULLS TO ONE SIDE
(1) Uneven tire wear or pressures: Check the
condition of the tires and inflate to the recommended
pressures.
(2) Incorrect front wheel alignment: Check and
align the front end.
(3) Dragging brakes: Check each wheel for drag-
ging brakes. Overhaul the brakes as necessary. (4) Damaged suspension or crossmember: In-
spect and renew the damaged components. (5) Faulty power steering gear assembly: Re-
move the power steering gear for overhaul.
FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE OR SHIMMY

(1) Uneven tire wear or incorrect tire pressures;
Check the condition of the tires and inflate to the
recommended pressures. (2) Tire or wheel imbalance: Check and balance
as necessary (3) Worn or badly adjusted hub bearings: Check
the condition and adjust the front hub bearings.
(4) Faulty or worn suspension, units: Check and
overhaul or renew as a pair.
NOTE: Check the steering linkage as previ-
ously described. Raise the front of the vehi-
cle and check the adjustment of the hub
bearings by moving the road wheel in and
out at the top and bottom. No movement in
the bearings should be felt. Check the sus-
pension units as outlined in the Front Sus-
pension section.

STEERING ERRATIC OR WANDERING
(1) Incorrect or uneven wheel alignment setting:
Check and adjust th e steering geometry.

(2) Smooth front tires: Check and renew the
tires as necessary.

Checking the steering gear mounting bolts for security.
(3) Steering gear assembly loose on the cross-
member: Inspect for damage and tighten the steering
gear mounting bolts.
(4) Wear in the tie rod ball housing: Renew the
worn t i e rod and ball housing. (5) Wear in the rack and pinion: Remove the
steering gear assembly for overhaul. (6) Loose or incorrectly adjusted hub bearings:
Check and adjust the front hub bearings.
FAILURE OF POWER ASSISTANCE

(1) Loose or broken pump drive belt: Renew or
adjust the pump drive belt.
(2) Low fluid level in the power steering reser-
voir: Check for leakage, repair or renew the faulty
components. Top up the fluid level. (3) Insufficient power steering pump pressure:
Check the delivery pressure, renew the pump if
defective. (4) Faulty power steering gear assembly: Re-
move the power steering gear assembly for overhaul.

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.