2003 NISSAN ALMERA N16 steering

SST489B
Checking Steering Wheel PlayNJST0007With wheels in a straight-ahead position, check steering wheel
play.
Steering wheel play:
35 mm (1.38 in) or less
If it is not within specification, check the following for loose or
worn components.
Steering gear assembly
Steering column
Front suspension and axle
SST490BA
Checking Neutral Position on Steering WheelNJST0008PRE-CHECKINGNJST0008S01Make sure that wheel alignment is correct.
Wheel alignment:
Refer to SU-14, SDS.
Verify that the steering gear is centered before removing the
steering wheel.
CHECKINGNJST0008S021. Check that the steering wheel is in the neutral position when
driving straight ahead.
2. If it is not in the neutral position, remove the steering wheel and
reinstall it correctly.
3. If the neutral position is between two teeth, loosen tie-rod lock
nuts. Turn the tie-rods by the same amount in opposite direc-
tions on both left and right sides.
SMA127
Front Wheel Turning AngleNJST00091. Rotate steering wheel all the way right and left; measure turn-
ing angle.
Turning angle of full turns:
Refer to SU-14, SDS.
2. If it is not within specification, check rack stroke.
Rack stroke “S”:
Refer to SDS, ST-30.
SST663B
Checking Gear Housing MovementNJST00101. Check the movement of steering gear housing during station-
ary steering on a dry paved surface.
Apply a force of 49 N (5 kg, 11 lb) to steering wheel to check
the gear housing movement.
Turn off ignition key while checking.
Movement of gear housing:
±2mm(±0.08 in) or less
2. If movement exceeds the limit, replace mount insulator after
confirming proper installation of gear housing clamps.
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Checking Steering Wheel Play
ST-6

Checking and Adjusting Drive BeltsNJST0011Refer to EM-11 (QG) or EM-11 (YD), “Checking Drive Belts”.
SMA851B
Checking Steering Gear and LinkageNJST0037STEERING GEARNJST0037S01Check gear housing and boots for looseness, damage or
grease leakage.
Check connection with steering column for looseness.
STEERING LINKAGENJST0037S02Check ball joint, dust cover and other component parts for
looseness, wear, damage or grease leakage.
YST003
Checking Fluid LevelNJST0012Check fluid level, referring to the scale on reservoir tank.
Use “HOT” range for fluid temperatures of 50 to 80°C (122 to
176°F).
Use “COLD” range for fluid temperatures of 0 to 30°C (32 to 86°F).
CAUTION:
Do not overfill.
Recommended fluid is DEXRONTMIII or equivalent. Refer
to MA-19, “Fluids and Lubricants”.
YST006
YST007
Checking Fluid LeakageNJST0013Check the lines for improper attachment and for leaks, cracks,
damage, loose connections, chafing and deterioration.
1. Run engine between idle speed and 1,000 rpm.
Make sure temperature of fluid in oil tank rises to 60 to 80°C
(140 to 176°F).
2. Turn steering wheel right-to-left several times.
3. Hold steering wheel at each “lock” position for five seconds
and carefully check for fluid leakage.
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. If fluid leakage from power steering pump is noticed, check
power steering pump. Refer to ST-25.
6. Check rack boots for accumulation of power steering fluid.
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ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Checking and Adjusting Drive Belts
ST-7

Bleeding Hydraulic SystemNJST00141. Raise front end of vehicle until wheels are clear of the ground.
2. Add fluid into oil tank to specified level. Then quickly turn steer-
ing wheel fully to right and left and lightly touch steering stop-
pers.
Repeat steering wheel operation until fluid level no longer
decreases.
3. Start engine.
Repeat step 2. above.
Incomplete 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 the steering wheel
slowly. This does not affect the performance or durability of the
system.
SST491B
SST090B
Checking Steering Wheel Turning ForceNJST00151. 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
80°C (140 to 176°F).]
Tires need to be inflated to normal pressure.
4. Check steering wheel turning force when steering wheel has
been turned 360° 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 m m
(±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)
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
ST-13.
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Bleeding Hydraulic System
ST-8

SST834-I
Checking Hydraulic SystemNJST0016Before starting, check belt tension, driving pulley and tire pressure.
1. Set Tool. Open shut-off valve. Then bleed air. Refer to “Bleed-
ing Hydraulic System”, ST-8.
2. Run engine at idle speed or 1,000 rpm.
Make sure temperature of fluid in tank rises to 60 to 80°C (140
to 176°F).
WARNING:
Warm up engine with shut-off valve fully opened. If engine is
started with shut-off valve closed, fluid pressure in oil pump
increases to maximum. This will raise oil temperature abnor-
mally.
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.
Oil pump maximum standard pressure:
QG15, 18 engine
8,600 - 9,200 kPa (86.0 - 92.0 bar, 88.7 - 93.8
kg/cm
2, 1,247 - 1,334 psi)
YD22 engine
8,800 - 9,400 kPa (88.0 - 94.0 bar, 88.7 - 95.8
kg/cm
2, 1,261 - 1,362 psi)
If pressure reaches maximum operating pressure, system is
OK.
If pressure increases above maximum operating pressure,
check power steering pump flow control valve. Refer to ST-25.
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.
If pressure increases to maximum operating pressure, gear is
damaged. Refer to “Removal and Installation”, ST-16.
If pressure remains below maximum operating pressure, pump
is damaged. Refer to “Disassembly”, ST-26.
5. After checking hydraulic system, remove Tool and add fluid as
necessary. Then completely bleed air out of system. Refer to
ST-8.
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ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Checking Hydraulic System
ST-9

ComponentsNJST0017
YST026
1. Air bag module
2. Steering wheel
3. Combination switch with spiral
cable4. Column cover
5. Steering column assembly
6. Hole cover7. Lower joint
8. Lower cover
CAUTION:
The rotation of the spiral cable (SRS “Air bag” 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.
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN
Components
ST-10

MHIA0017E
Removal and Installation=NJST0018STEERING WHEELNJST0018S01Remove air bag module and spiral cable.
Refer to RS-29, “Removal — Driver Air Bag Module and Spiral
Cable”.
NRS121
Align spiral cable correctly when installing steering wheel.
a) Set the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
b) Make sure that the spiral cable is in the neutral position.
The neutral position is detected by turning left about 3.5 revo-
lutions from the right end position. Align the two marks (
)or
make sure that the white indicator is visible in the upper part
of the indicator window, with the cable pointed downwards.
CAUTION:
The spiral cable may snap due to steering operation if the
cable is installed in an improper position.
Also, with the steering linkage disconnected, the cable may
snap by turning the steering wheel beyond the limited number
of turns. (The spiral cable can be turned up to about 3.5 turns
from the neutral position to both the right and left.)
SST777C
Remove steering wheel with Tool.
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STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN
Removal and Installation
ST-11

SST329C
STEERING COLUMNNJST0018S02Remove key interlock cable (A/T models).
SST800A
When installing steering column, fingertighten all lower bracket
and clamp retaining bolts; then tighten them securely. Do not
apply undue stress to steering column.
When attaching coupling joint, be sure tightening bolt faces
cutout portion.
SST491C
Align slit of lower joint with projection on dust cover. Insert joint
until surface A contacts surface B.
CAUTION:
After installation, turn steering wheel to make sure it moves
smoothly. Ensure the number of turns are the same from the
straight forward position to left and right locks. Be sure that
the steering wheel is in a neutral position when driving
straight ahead.
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN
Removal and Installation (Cont’d)
ST-12

Disassembly and Assembly=NJST0019
YST027
1. Combination switch with spiral
cable
2. Lock nut
3. Jacket tube assembly4. Column shaft assembly
5. Seal cover
6. Lower seal cover7. Hole cover
8. Steering column lower cover
9. Tie strap
SST490C
When disassembling and assembling, unlock steering lock
with key.
Remove combination switch.
Install lock nut on steering column shaft and tighten the nut.
SST741A
Steering lock
a) Break self-shear type screws with a drill or other appropriate
tool.
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STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN
Disassembly and Assembly
ST-13