1987 NISSAN PULSAR tow bar

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.

162 Front Suspension
the ball joint or bushes as described later in this
section.

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

(1) When installing the control arm bush
bracket, ensure that the protrusion on the bracket is
towards the inside of the vehicle.
(2) Do not fully tighten the control arm bush
bolts and through bolt nut until the curb weight of the
vehicle is on the suspension.
NOTE: Curb weight is with the vehicle
unladen except for a full tank of fuel and
normal amounts of oil and water and with
the spare lyre, jack and hand tools in their
normal positions.

(3) Tighten the ball joint nut to the specified
torque and retain with a new split pin.

TO CHECK AND RENEW BALL JOINT
(1) Remove the control arm from the vehicle as
previously described.

(2) Install the ball joint nut and turn the ball
joint at least ten revolutions to ensure that the ball
joint is correctly seated. (3) Using a spring scale with the hook placed
over the split pin hole, check the ball joint swinging
torque. A new ball joint should measure 15.7-80.4 N
and a used ball joint should measure 7.8-80.4 N.
Renew the ball joint if necessary. (4) Using a small torque wrench or preload
gauge, measure the force requi red to rotate the ball
joint. A new ball joint should measure between
1.0-4.9 Nm and a used ball joint should measure
between 0.5-4.9 Nm. Renew the ball joint if neces-
sary.

(5) To renew the ball joint, remove the snap ring
from the stud end of the ball joint using snap ring
pliers. (6) Support the control arm in a press, ball joint
stud uppermost, with a suitable tube that is large
enough for the ball joint to pass through. (7) Press the ball joint out from the control arm.
(8) Press a new ball joint into the control arm
using a suitable tube that pushes on the outer circum-
ference of the joint only.
(9) Install the snap ring and install the
control
arm to the vehicle as previously described.

TO RENEW CONTROL ARM BUSHES
(1) Remove the control arm from the vehicle as
previously described. Mark the position of the rear
control arm bush. (2) To remove the rear control arm bush use a
bearing puller and a press. When installing the bush
use a suitable tube that pushes on the inner edge of the
bush only. NOTE: Ensure that the bush is installed
with the flat portion in its original location.

(3)
To remove the front control arm bush use a
suitable tube that pushes on the outer circumference
of the bush and a split tu be supporting the control
arm. (4) After the bush has been pressed out approx-
imately half way, cut the protruding part of the bush
using a hacksaw. Cutting the bush in this way will
allow removal.
(5) Support the control arm and push the new
bush in from the outside using a suitable tube that
pushes on the outer circumference only. (6) Install the control ar m to the vehicle as
previously described.
6. STABILISER BAR
TO REMOVE AND INSTAL
(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it
on chassis stands.

(2) Remove the bolts at the flexible joint retain-
ing the front engine pipe to the exhaust pipe located
below the stabilizer bar. (3) Remove the bolt from the exhaust pipe
mounting below the stabilizer bar. Disconnect the
exhaust pipe at the flexible joint and allow the front of
the pipe to hang down. (4) Remove the stabilizer bar bracket retaining
bolts and remove the stabilizer bar brackets from the
vehicle. (5) Remove the stabilizer bar lower link nuts
from each control arm. When removing the lower nuts
it may be necessary to hold the upper nuts with a
spanner.
(6) Maneuver the stabilizer bar from the
vehicle.
Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Ensure that the stabilizer bar mounting rub-
bers are in a serviceable condition and secure in the
mounting brackets.

Dismantled view of one end of the stabilizer bar.

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.

Electrical System 217
When installing a trailer socket, it may be neces-
sary to replace the original vehicle flasher unit with a
heavy duty unit to maintain the flash rate in accor-
dance with local regulations. Local regulations may
also require the installation of a dashboard mounted
repeater lamp.

Should the trailer socket and plug not be matched,
adaptors can be made or obtained to facilitate con-
nection.

TO INSTAL TRAILER SOCKET.
The minimum materials required are a trailer
socket, mounting bracket, seven core flex, insulated
wiring connectors and a rubber grommet.

(1) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
(2)Locate the wiring harness for the lamps at
the rear of the vehicle.

For five pin sockets and plugs, use the following
standard trailer wiring code:

Terminal No.CircuitColor2 Left turn signal lampYellow
3Earth White
5 Ri
ght turn signal lampGreen
6Stop lamp Red
7 Tail lam
p Brown

Minimum material needed for wiring up a trailer.
Utilux trailer socket and plug shown.
(3) Identify the wires for the right turn signal
lamp, left turn signal lamp, tail lamp, stop lamp,
reverse lamp and earth. Use the vehicle wiring
diagram in this section to determine the wire color
for each lamp circuit.
(4)Connect the seven core flex to the various
lamp wires using insulated connectors.
For seven pin sockets and plugs, use the following
standard trailer wiring code:

Terminal No.CircuitColor1 Left turn signal lamp Yellow
2 Reversing lamp Black
3EarthWhite
4 Right turn signal Green
lamp
5Electric brakesBlue
6 Stop lampRed
7
Tail lampBrown
For six pin sockets and pl ugs, use the following
standard trailer wiring code:
Terminal No.CircuitColor1 Tail LampBrown
2 Left Turn Signal Lamp Yellow
3Right Turn Signal LampGreen
4 Stop LampRed
5AuxilaryBlue
6 Earth White

(5) Drill a suitably si
zed hole through the vehicle
floor and install a rubber grommet to the hole.

NOTE: Before drilling the hole, check
whether there is an existing hole which may-
be used. Ensure that a rubber grommet is
installed to prevent chafing of the wires.

Pass the seven core flex through the rubber
grommet. Cut the seven core flex to the required length
and slide the dust cover onto the flex. Remove approximately 15 mm of insulation
from each wire in the flex.
Connect the wires of the seven core flex to
the terminals of the socket, using the standard wiring
code and following the socket manufacturers connec-
tion procedure. Assemble the socket and install the dust cover
to the rear of the socket. Install the mounting bracket as close as
possible to the tow bar ball and high enough to
maintain vehicle ground clearance. Install the socket to the mounting bracket.
Connect a trailer plug to the socket and test
for correct lamp operation.
TO INSTAL TRAILER PLUG

The minimum materials required are a trailer
plug, seven core flex and insulated wiring connectors.

The installation procedure for the trailer plug is
similar to that for the socket with attention to the
following points:

Connect the trailer wiring to the plug accord-
ing to the standard wiring color code and the plug
manufacturers instructions. Use a suitable length of
seven core flex and insulated connectors should the
trailer wiring not be long enough.
If the trailer wiring does not conform to the
standard color code, identify each circuit as follows: (a) Locate the trailer earth wire.

PLUG