2001 INFINITI QX4 power steering fluid

CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel in a locked position for more
than 15 seconds.
4. If fluid leakage at connectors is noticed, loosen flare nut and
then retighten.
Do not overtighten connector as this can damage O-ring,
washer and connector.
5. Check rack boots for accumulation of power steering fluid.
Bleeding Hydraulic SystemNBST00131. Raise front end of vehicle until wheels are clear of the ground.
2. Add fluid into oil tank to specified level. Then, quickly turn
steering wheel fully to right and left and lightly touch steering
stoppers.
Repeat steering wheel operation until fluid level no longer
decreases.
3. Start engine.
Repeat step 2 above.
IIncomplete air bleeding will cause the following to occur. When
this happens, bleed air again.
a) Air bubbles in reservoir tank
b) Clicking noise in oil pump
c) Excessive buzzing in oil pump
Fluid noise may occur in the valve or oil pump. This is common
when the vehicle is stationary or while turning steering wheel
slowly. This does not affect performance or durability of the system.
SST491B
SST090B
Checking Steering Wheel Turning ForceNBST00141. Park vehicle on a level, dry surface and set parking brake.
2. Start engine.
3. Bring power steering fluid up to adequate operating tempera-
ture. [Make sure temperature of fluid is approximately 60 to
80ÉC (140 to 176ÉF).]
Tires need to be inflated to normal pressure.
4. Check steering wheel turning force when steering wheel has
been turned 360É from the neutral position.
Steering wheel turning force:
39 N (4 kg, 9 lb) or less
5. If steering wheel turning force is out of specification, check
rack sliding force.
a. Disconnect steering column lower joint and knuckle arms from
the gear.
b. Start and run engine at idle to make sure steering fluid has
reached normal operating temperature.
c. Pull tie-rod slowly to move it from neutral position to±11.5 mm
(±0.453 in) at speed of 3.5 mm (0.138 in)/s. Check that rack
sliding force is within specification.
Rack sliding force:
137 - 255 N (14 - 26 kg, 31 - 57 lb)
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ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Checking Fluid Leakage (Cont'd)
ST-9

6. If rack sliding force is not within specification, overhaul steer-
ing gear assembly.
7. If rack sliding force is OK, inspect steering column. Refer to
ªInspectionº, ªSTEERING WHEEL AND STEERING
COLUMNº, ST-14.
SST834-F
Checking Hydraulic SystemNBST0015Before starting, check belt tension, driving pulley and tire pressure.
1. Set Tool. Open shut-off valve. Then bleed air.
Refer to ªBleeding Hydraulic Systemº, ST-9.
2. Run engine, at idle speed or 1,000 rpm.
Make sure fluid temperature in reservoir tank rises to 60 to
80ÉC (140 to 176ÉF).
WARNING:
Warm up engine with shut-off valve fully opened. If engine is
started with shut-off valve closed, fluid pressure in the power
steering pump increase to maximum. This will raise fluid tem-
perature abnormally.
3. Check pressure with steering wheel fully turned to left and right
positions with engine idling at 1,000 rpm.
CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel in a locked position for more
than 15 seconds.
Power steering pump maximum operating pressure:
8,630 - 9,219 kPa
(88 - 94 kg/cm
2, 1,251 - 1,337 psi)
IIf pressure reaches maximum operating pressure, system is
OK.
IIf pressure increases above maximum operating pressure,
check power steering pump flow control valve. Refer to ST-28.
4. If power steering pressure is below the maximum operating
pressure, slowly close shut-off valve and check pressure
again.
CAUTION:
Do not close shut-off valve for more than 15 seconds.
IIf pressure increases to maximum operating pressure, gear
should be damaged. Refer to ªRemoval and Installationº,
ST-18.
IIf pressure remains below maximum operating pressure, pump
should be damaged. Refer to ªDisassemblyº, ST-28.
5. After checking hydraulic system, remove Tool and add fluid as
necessary. Then completely bleed air out of system. Refer to
ST-9.
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Checking Steering Wheel Turning Force (Cont'd)
ST-10

in high-pressure connector. Take care to install the proper
O-ring.
SST616C
IInitially, tighten nut on tie-rod outer socket and knuckle arm to
64 to 69 N´m (6.5 to 7.0 kg-m, 47 to 51 ft-lb). Then tighten fur-
ther to align nut groove with first pin hole so that cotter pin can
be installed.
CAUTION:
Tightening torque must not exceed 108 N´m (11.0 kg-m, 80 ft-
lb).
SST819A
IBefore removing steering column lower joint from gear, set
gear in neutral (wheels in straight-ahead position). After
removing steering column lower joint, put matching mark on
pinion shaft and pinion housing to record neutral position.
ITo install, set left and right dust boots to equal deflection.
Attach steering column lower joint by aligning matching marks
of pinion shaft and pinion housing.
SST617C
ITighten gear housing mounting bracket bolts in the order
shown.
Secure tightening torque:
118 - 137 N´m (12 - 14 kg-m, 87 - 101 ft-lb)
SST718CA
DisassemblyNBST00281. Prior to disassembling, measure pinion rotating torque. Record
the pinion rotating torque as a reference.
IBefore measuring, disconnect cylinder tube and drain
fluid.
IUse soft jaws when holding steering gear housing. Handle
gear housing carefully, as it is made of aluminum. Do not
grip cylinder in a vise.
2. Remove pinion gear.
Be careful not to damage pinion gear when removing pinion
seal ring.
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POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Removal and Installation (Cont'd)
ST-19

SST051C
3. Remove tie-rod outer sockets and boots.
4. Loosen tie-rod inner socket by prying up staked portion, and
remove socket.
5. Remove retainer.
6. Remove pinion assembly.
7. Usea2to2.5mm(0.079 to 0.098 in) diameter drill to com-
pletely remove staked portion of gear housing end.
SST652C
8. Remove gear housing end cover assembly with a suitable tool.
9. Draw out rack assembly.
10. Remove rack seal ring.
IUsing a heat gun, heat rack seal to approximately 40ÉC
(104ÉF).
IRemove rack seal ring.
Be careful not to damage rack.
SST644C
11. Remove rack bushing and rack oil seal using tape wrapped
socket and extension bar.
Do not scratch inner surfaces of pinion housing.
InspectionNBST0029Thoroughly clean all parts in cleaning solvent or Genuine Nissan
PSF II or equivalent. Blow dry with compressed air, if available.
BOOTNBST0029S01ICheck condition of boot. If cracked excessively, replace it.
ICheck boots for accumulation of power steering fluid.
RACKNBST0029S02Thoroughly examine rack gear. If damaged, cracked and worn,
replace it.
PINION ASSEMBLYNBST0029S03IThoroughly examine pinion gear. If pinion gear is damaged,
cracked and worn, replace it.
ICheck that all bearings roll freely. Ensure that balls, rollers and
races are not cracked, pitted and worn.
GEAR HOUSING CYLINDERNBST0029S04Check gear housing cylinder bore for scratches and other damage.
Replace if necessary.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Disassembly (Cont'd)
ST-20

SST609C
14. Ensure that the rack is centered. Install rear cover cap so that
its protrusion is positioned as shown in figure.
Be careful not to damage worm ring and oil seal.
15. Install retainer, spring and adjusting screw temporarily.
SST135C
16. Install new lock plate.
IAttach lock plate 2 to side rod inner socket 1.
IApply locking sealant to inner socket threads 3.
Screw inner socket into rack 4 and tighten to specified torque.
IClinch two places of lock plate at rack's groove.
CAUTION:
To prevent scratching the boot, remove burrs from lock plate.
SST655C
17. Tighten outer socket lock nut.
Tie-rod length ªLº:
Refer to SDS, ST-33.
18. Measure rack stroke.
Rack stroke ªSº:
Refer to SDS, ST-33.
SST967A
19. Before installing boot, coat the contact surfaces between boot
and tie-rod with grease.
SST619C
AdjustmentNBST0031Adjust pinion rotating torque as follows:
1. Set rack to the neutral position without fluid in the gear.
2. Coat the adjusting screw with locking sealant and screw it in.
3. Lightly tighten lock nut.
4. Tighten adjusting screw to a torque of 4.9 to 5.9 N´m (50 to 60
kg-cm, 43 to 52 in-lb).
5. Loosen adjusting screw, then retighten it to 0.2 N´m (2 kg-cm,
1.7 in-lb).
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Assembly (Cont'd)
ST-24

SST718CA
6. Move rack over its entire stroke several times.
7. Measure pinion rotating torque within the range of 180É from
neutral position.
Stop the gear at the point of maximum torque.
8. Loosen adjusting screw, then retighten it to 4.9 to 5.9 N´m (50
to 60 kg-cm, 43 to 52 in-lb).
9. Loosen adjusting screw by 10É to 20É.
SST940C
10. Prevent adjusting screw from turning, and tighten lock nut to
specified torque.
SST718CA
11. Measure pinion rotating torque.
Lock to lock:
Average rotating torque
0.78 - 1.47 N´m (8.0 - 15.0 kg-cm, 6.9 - 13.0 in-lb)
Within±100É from the neutral position:
Maximum torque variation
0.4 N´m (4 kg-cm, 3.5 in-lb)
Outside the above range:
Maximum force variation
0.6 N´m (6 kg-cm, 5.2 in-lb)
IIf pinion rotating torque is not within specifications, readjust it
starting from step 4. If pinion rotating torque is still out of
specifications after readjustment, replace steering gear
assembly.
SST090B
12. Check rack sliding force on vehicle as follows:
a. Install steering gear onto vehicle, but do not connect tie-rod to
knuckle arm.
b. Connect all piping and fill with steering fluid.
c. Start engine and bleed air completely.
d. Disconnect steering column lower joint from the gear.
e. Keep engine at idle and make sure steering fluid has reached
normal operating temperature.
f. Pull tie-rod slowly to move it from neutral position to±11.5 mm
(±0.453 in) at speed of 3.5 mm (0.138 in)/s. Check that rack
sliding force is within specification.
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POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Adjustment (Cont'd)
ST-25

Steering Gear and LinkageNBST0040
Applied modelAll
Steering gear typePR32K
Tie-rod outer ball jointSwinging force at cotter pin hole: ªAº 4.9 - 47.1 N (0.5 - 4.8 kg, 1.1 - 10.6 lb)
Rotating torque: ªBº 0.3 - 2.9 N´m (3 - 30 kg-cm, 2.6 - 26.0 in-lb)
Axial end play: ªCº 0.1 mm (0.004 in) or less
Tie-rod inner ball jointSwinging force*: ªAº 3.9 - 32.4 N (0.4 - 3.3 kg, 0.9 - 7.3 lb)
Axial end play: ªCº 0.3 mm (0.012 in) or less
Tie-rod standard length ªLº200 mm (7.87 in)
Rack stroke ªSº72.0 mm (2.835 in)
Pinion gear preload without
gear fluidLock to lock
Average rotating torque0.78 - 1.47 N´m (8.0 - 15.0 kg-cm, 6.9 - 13.0 in-lb)
Within±100É from the neutral position
Maximum torque variation0.4 N´m (4 kg-cm, 3.5 in-lb)
Outside the above range
Maximum torque variation0.6 N´m (6 kg-cm, 5.2 in-lb)
*: Measuring point [: 240 mm (9.45 in)]
SST740C
Power SteeringNBST0042
Steering gear typePR32K
Rack sliding force
Under normal operating oil pressure137 - 255 N (14 - 26 kg, 31 - 57 lb)
Retainer adjustment
(Adjustment screw)Initial tightening torque 4.9 - 5.9 N´m (50 - 60 kg-cm, 43 - 52 in-lb)
Retightening torque after loosening 0.2 N´m (2 kg-cm, 1.7 in-lb)
Tightening torque after gear has settled 4.9 - 5.9 N´m (50 - 60 kg-cm, 43 - 52 in-lb)
Returning angle 10É - 20É
Steering wheel turning force
(Measured at one full turn from the neutral position)39 N (4 kg, 9 lb) or less
Fluid capacity (Approximate)0.9(1 US qt, 3/4 Imp qt)
Oil pump maximum pressure 8,630 - 9,219 kPa (88 - 94 kg/cm
2, 1,251 - 1,337 psi)
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SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)
Steering Gear and Linkage
ST-33