2001 NISSAN ALMERA N16 steering

Removal and InstallationNJST0022
SST878CA
1. Lower joint
2. Washer
3. Gear and linkage assembly4. Upper gear housing mounting
bracket
5. Rack mounting insulator6. Lower gear housing mounting
bracket
7. Cotter pin
SFA455BA
CAUTION:
+The rotation of the spiral cable (SRS ªAir bagº component
part) is limited. If the steering gear must be removed, set
the front wheels in the straight-ahead direction. Do not
rotate the steering column while the steering gear is
removed.
+Remove the steering wheel before removing the steering
lower joint to avoid damaging the SRS spiral cable.
+Detach tie-rod outer sockets from knuckle arms with Tool.
1. Remove stabilizer fixing bolts. Refer to SU-11, ªRemoval and
Installationº.
2. Disconnect lower joint.
3. Remove gear housing mounting bracket fixing bolts.
4. Remove steering gear assembly.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Removal and Installation
ST-16

SST879C
+Install pipe connector.
+Observe specified tightening torque when tightening high-pres-
sure and low-pressure pipe connectors. Excessive tightening
will damage threads of connector or O-ring.
Connector tightening torque:
1 Low-pressure side
27 - 39 N´m (2.8 - 4.0 kg-m, 20 - 29 ft-lb)
2 High-pressure side
15 - 25 N´m (1.5 - 2.5 kg-m, 11 - 18 ft-lb)
+The O-ring in low-pressure pipe connector is larger than that
in high-pressure connector. Take care to install the proper
O-ring.
SST824A
+Initially, tighten nut on tie-rod outer socket and knuckle arm to
29 to 39 N´m (3 to 4 kg-m, 22 to 29 ft-lb). Then tighten further
to align nut groove with first pin hole so that cotter pin can be
installed.
CAUTION:
Tightening torque must not exceed 49 N´m (5 kg-m, 36 ft-lb).
NOTE:
Only the dust boot, tie-rod inner socket and tie-rod outer socket can
be disassembled on models for Europe.
SST819A
+Before removing lower joint from gear, set gear in neutral
(wheels in straight-ahead position). After removing lower joint,
put matching mark on pinion shaft and pinion housing to record
neutral position.
+To install, set left and right dust boots to equal deflection.
Attach lower joint by aligning matching marks of pinion shaft
and pinion housing.
+Tighten gear housing mounting bracket bolts.
SST862CB
DisassemblyNJST00231. Prior to disassembling, measure pinion rotating torque. Record
the pinion rotating torque as a reference.
+Before measuring, disconnect gear housing tube and
drain fluid.
+Use 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 gear sub-assembly, O-ring and shim.
Gear sub-assembly cannot be disassembled. If it is faulty,
replace with a new one.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Removal and Installation (Cont'd)
ST-17

SST051C
3. Remove tie-rod outer sockets and boots.
4. Loosen tie-rod inner socket by prying up staked portion, and
remove socket and spacer.
5. Remove retainer.
6. Usea2to2.5mm(0.079 to 0.098 in) diameter drill to com-
pletely remove staked portion of gear housing end.
SST052C
7. Remove end cover assembly with a suitable tool.
8. Draw out rack assembly.
9. Remove rack seal ring.
+Using a heat gun, heat rack seal to approximately 40ÉC
(104ÉF).
+Remove rack seal ring.
Be careful not to damage rack.
SST472A
10. Remove center bushing and rack oil seal using tape wrapped
socket and extension bar.
Do not scratch inner surfaces of pinion housing.
InspectionNJST0024Thoroughly clean all parts in cleaning solvent or DEXRONTMIII or
equivalent. Blow dry with compressed air, if available.
BOOTNJST0024S01+Check condition of boot. If cracked excessively, replace it.
+Check boots for accumulation of power steering fluid.
RACKNJST0024S02Thoroughly examine rack gear. If damaged, cracked or worn,
replace it.
GEAR SUB-ASSEMBLYNJST0024S03+Check pinion gear. If it is worn or damaged, replace as a gear
sub-assembly.
+Manually spin bearing. If torque variations or free play are
noted, replace as a gear sub-assembly.
GEAR HOUSING CYLINDERNJST0024S04Check gear housing cylinder bore for scratches or other damage.
Replace if necessary.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Disassembly (Cont'd)
ST-18

SST468C
TIE-ROD OUTER AND INNER SOCKETSNJST0024S05+Check ball joints for swinging force.
Tie-rod outer and inner ball joints swinging force ªAº:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
+Check ball joint for rotating torque.
Tie-rod outer ball joint rotating torque ªBº:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
+Check ball joints for axial end play.
Tie-rod outer and inner ball joints axial end play ªCº:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
+Check condition of dust cover. If cracked excessively, replace
outer tie-rod.
SST083B
AssemblyNJST00251. Using a heat gun, heat new teflon rack seal ring to approxi-
mately 40ÉC (104ÉF). Then place it onto rack.
SST885BA
2. Using Tool, compress rack seal ring securely onto rack.
Always insert Tool from the rack gear side.
SST201A
3. Insert new rack oil seal.
+Place plastic film into rack oil seal to prevent damage by
rack teeth.
+Do not forget to remove plastic film after rack oil seal is
positioned properly.
+Make sure lips of rack oil seal face each other.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Inspection (Cont'd)
ST-19

SST863C
4. Install center bushing and rack oil seal with rack assembly.
SST321B
5. Insert rack oil seal and end cover assembly to rack. Then
tighten end cover assembly.
SST073B
6. Fasten end cover assembly to gear housing by staking.
SST086BA
7. Set rack gear in neutral position.
Rack stroke ªSº:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
SST880C
8. Install adjustment shims and O-rings to gear sub-assembly.
+Install the same number of adjustment shims as before,
regardless of whether or not gear sub-assembly is replaced.
+Discard old O-rings; replace with new ones.
9. Tighten gear subassembly securing bolts to specified tighten-
ing torque.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Assembly (Cont'd)
ST-20

SST865C
10. Ensure that the rack is centered. Install rear cover cap so that
its protrusion is positioned as shown in figure.
SST087B
11. Install diaphragm spring into gear housing.
+Always install retainer, spring washer and diaphragm spring in
that order.
+Make sure convex end (painted white) of diaphragm spring
faces outward when installing.
12. Install spring seat retainer spring and adjusting screw tempo-
rarily.
SST867C
13. Tighten outer socket lock nut.
Tie-rod length ªLº:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
SST086BA
14. Measure rack stroke.
Rack stroke ªSº:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
SST967A
15. Before installing boot, coat the contact surfaces between boot
and tie-rod with grease.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Assembly (Cont'd)
ST-21

SST868C
16. Install boot bands.
+Securely install boot band to boot groove and clinch the root
section of the trapezoidal area.
+Make sure that there is a clearance of 3.5 mm (0.138 in) or less
at the clinched section of the boot band. Refer to the Figure at
left.
SST869C
+After installing gear in vehicle, make sure that the clinched
section of boot band is positioned toward the rear of vehicle (to
prevent interference with adjacent parts).
SST719C
AdjustmentNJST0026Adjust 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).
SST862CB
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 N´m (50 kg-cm,
43 in-lb).
9. Loosen adjusting screw by 50É to 70É.
SST713C
10. Prevent adjusting screw from turning, and tighten lock nut to
specified torque.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Assembly (Cont'd)
ST-22

SST090B
11. 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.
Average rack sliding force:
132 - 308 N (13.5 - 31.4 kg, 30 - 69 lb)
Maximum force deviation:
176 N (17.9 kg, 39 lb)
12. If rack sliding force is not within specification, readjust by
repeating adjustment procedure from the beginning.
13. If rack sliding force is still out of specification after
readjustment, gear assembly needs to be replaced.
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE
Adjustment (Cont'd)
ST-23