FSU-1
FRONT SUSPENSION
E SUSPENSION
CONTENTS
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D
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SECTION FSU
A
B
FSU
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
FRONT SUSPENSION
2WD
PRECAUTIONS .......................................................... 3
Caution ..................................................................... 3
PREPARATION ........................................................... 4
Special Service Tools [SST] ..................................... 4
Commercial Service Tools ........................................ 4
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................ 5
NVH Troubleshooting Chart ..................................... 5
FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY ........................... 6
On-Vehicle Inspection and Service .......................... 6
INSPECTION OF LOWER BALL JOINT END
PLAY ..................................................................... 6
SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION ..................... 6
Wheel Alignment Inspection ..................................... 6
DESCRIPTION ...................................................... 6
PRELIMINARY CHECK ........................................ 6
GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMEN-
DATIONS .............................................................. 6
THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS .............................. 7
INSPECTION OF CAMBER, CASTER AND
KINGPIN INCLINATION ANGLES ........................ 7
Components ............................................................. 8
Removal and Installation .......................................... 9
REMOVAL ........................................................
..... 9
INSTALLATION ................................................... 10
COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER ................11
Removal and Installation ......................................... 11
REMOVAL ........................................................
.... 11
INSTALLATION .................................................... 11
Disassembly and Assembly .................................... 11
DISASSEMBLY .................................................... 11
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ............... 12
ASSEMBLY ......................................................... 12
TRANSVERSE LINK ................................................ 14
Removal and Installation ........................................ 14
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 14
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 14
INSTALLATION ................................................... 15UPPER LINK ............................................................. 16
Removal and Installation ........................................ 16
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 16
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 16
INSTALLATION ................................................... 16
STABILIZER BAR ..................................................... 18
Removal and Installation ........................................ 18
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 18
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 18
INSTALLATION ................................................... 18
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS) ...... 19
Wheel Alignment (Unladen) .................................... 19
Ball Joint ....................................................
............. 19
Wheelarch Height (Unladen*) ................................. 19
AWD
PRECAUTIONS ........................................................ 20
Caution ................................................................... 20
PREPARATION ......................................................... 21
Special Service Tools [SST] ................................... 21
Commercial Service Tools ...................................... 21
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................. 22
NVH Troubleshooting Chart ................................... 22
FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY ......................... 23
On-Vehicle Inspection and Service ......................... 23
INSPECTION OF LOWER BALL JOINT END
PLAY .................................................................... 23
SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION .................... 23
Wheel Alignment Inspection ................................... 23
DESCRIPTION .................................................... 23
PRELIMINARY CHECK ....................................... 23
GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMEN-
DATIONS ............................................................. 23
THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS ............................. 24
INSPECTION OF CAMBER, CASTER AND
KINGPIN INCLINATION ANGLES ....................... 24
FSU-2Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45 Components ........................................................... 25
Removal and Installation ........................................ 26
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 26
INSTALLATION .................................................... 26
COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER ............... 28
Removal and Installation ........................................ 28
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 28
INSTALLATION .................................................... 28
Disassembly and Assembly .................................... 28
DISASSEMBLY ................................................... 28
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ................ 29
ASSEMBLY ......................................................... 29
TRANSVERSE LINK ................................................. 31
Removal and Installation ........................................ 31
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 31
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ........................ 31
INSTALLATION .................................................... 32UPPER LINK ............................................................. 33
Removal and Installation ......................................... 33
REMOVAL ............................................................ 33
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ........................ 33
INSTALLATION .................................................... 33
STABILIZER BAR ..................................................... 35
Removal and Installation ......................................... 35
REMOVAL ............................................................ 35
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ........................ 35
INSTALLATION .................................................... 35
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS) ...... 36
Wheel Alignment (Unladen) .................................... 36
Ball Joint ................................................................. 36
Wheelarch Height (Unladen*) ................................. 36
PRECAUTIONS
FSU-3
[2WD]
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MA
B
FSU
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
[2WD]PRECAUTIONSPFP:00001
CautionNES000I6
When installing rubber bushings, the final tightening must be carried out under unladen conditions with
tires on ground. Oil might shorten the life of rubber bushings. Be sure to wipe off any spilled oil.
–Unladen conditions mean that fuel, engine coolant and lubricant are full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and
mats are in designated positions.
After servicing suspension parts, be sure to check wheel alignment.
Self-lock nuts are not reusable. Always use new ones when installing. Since new self-lock nuts are pre-
oiled, tighten as they are.
FSU-4
[2WD]
PREPARATION
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
PREPARATIONPFP:00002
Special Service Tools [SST]NES000I7
The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.
Commercial Service ToolsNES000I8
Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.)
Tool nameDescription
KV991040S0
(—)
CCK gauge attachment
1. Plate
2. Guide bolt
3. Nut
4. Spring
5. Center plate
6. KV99104020 Adapter A
a: 72 mm (2.83 in) dia.
7. KV99104030 Adapter B
b: 65 mm (2.56 in) dia.
8. KV99104040 Adapter C
c: 57 mm (2.24 in) dia.
9. KV99104050 Adapter D
d: 53.4 mm (2.102 in) dia.Measuring wheel alignment
ST35652000
(—)
Strut attachmentDisassembling and assembling shock
absorber
ST3127S000
(See J-25765-A)
Preload Gauge
1. GG91030000
(J-25765-A)
Torque wrench
2. HT62940000
(—)
Socket adapter
3. HT62900000
(—)
Socket adapterMeasuring rotating torque of ball joint
S-NT498
ZZA0807D
NT124
Tool nameDescription
Power tool
Removing wheel nuts
Removing torque member fixing bolts
Removing undercover
Removing front suspension compo-
nents parts
Removing hub lock nut
Spring compressor Removing and installing coil springPBIC0190E
S-NT717
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
FSU-5
[2WD]
C
D
F
G
H
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K
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MA
B
FSU
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTINGPFP:00003
NVH Troubleshooting ChartNES000I9
Use chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
: ApplicableReference page
FSU-8FSU-12
—
—
—
FSU-8FSU-6FSU-18
NVH in PR section
NVH in FAX and FSU section
NVH in WT section
NVH in BR section
NVH in PS section
Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS
Improper installation, looseness
Strut deformation, damage or deflection
Bushing or mounting deterioration
Parts interference
Spring fatigue
Suspension looseness
Incorrect wheel alignment
Stabilizer bar fatigue
PROPELLER SHAFT
FRONT AXLE AND FRONT SUSPENSION
ROAD WHEEL
BRAKES
STEERING
Symptom FRONT SUSPENSIONNoise
Shake
Vibration
Shimmy
Judder
Poor quality ride or han-
dling
FSU-6
[2WD]
FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLYPFP:54010
On-Vehicle Inspection and ServiceNES000IA
Make sure the mounting conditions (looseness, back lash) of each component and component conditions
(wear, damage) are normal.
INSPECTION OF LOWER BALL JOINT END PLAY
1. Set front wheels in a straight-ahead position. Do not depress brake pedal.
2. Place an iron bar or similar tool between transverse link and steering knuckle.
3. Measure axial end play by prying it up and down.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage ball joint boot. Do not damage the installation position by applying
excessive force.
SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION
Check for oil leakage, damage and breakage of installation positions.
Wheel Alignment InspectionNES000IB
DESCRIPTION
Measure wheel alignment under unladen conditions.
NOTE:
“Unladen conditions” means that fuel, engine coolant, and lubricant are full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and
mats are in designated positions.
PRELIMINARY CHECK
Check the following:
1. Tires for improper air pressure and wear.
2. Road wheels for runout. Refer to WT-6, "
ROAD WHEEL" .
3. Wheel bearing axial end play. Refer to FAX-5, "
WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION" .
4. Transverse link ball joint axial end play. Refer to FSU-14, "
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL" .
5. Shock absorber operation.
6. Each mounting part of axle and suspension for looseness and deformation.
7. Each of suspension member, shock absorber, upper link and transverse link for cracks, deformation and
other damage.
8. Vehicle height (posture).
GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A four-wheel thrust alignment should be performed.
–This type of alignment is recommended for any NISSAN/INFINITI vehicle.
–The four-wheel “thrust” process helps ensure that the vehicle is properly aligned and the steering wheel is
centered.
–The alignment rack itself should be capable of accepting any NISSAN/INFINITI vehicle.
–The rack should be checked to ensure that it is level.
Make sure the machine is properly calibrated.
–Your alignment equipment should be regularly calibrated in order to give correct information.
–Check with the manufacturer of your specific equipment for their recommended Service/Calibration
Schedule.Axial end play : 0 mm (0 in)
FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
FSU-7
[2WD]
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MA
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FSU
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS
IMPORTANT:
Use only the alignment specifications listed in this Service Manual.
When displaying the alignment settings, many alignment machines use “indicators”: (Green/red, plus or
minus, Go/No Go). Do NOT use these indicators.
–The alignment specifications programmed into your machine that operate these indicators may not be cor-
rect.
–This may result in an ERROR.
Some newer alignment machines are equipped with an optional “Rolling Compensation” method to “com-
pensate” the sensors (alignment targets or head units). DO NOT use this “Rolling Compensation”
method.
–Use the “Jacking Compensation Method”. After installing the alignment targets or head units, raise the
vehicle and rotate the wheels 1/2 turn both ways.
–See Instructions in the alignment machine you're using for more information on this.
INSPECTION OF CAMBER, CASTER AND KINGPIN INCLINATION ANGLES
Camber, caster, kingpin inclination angles cannot be adjusted.
Before inspection, mount front wheels onto turning radius gauge. Mount rear wheels onto a stand that has
same height so vehicle will remain horizontal.
Using a CCK Gauge
Install the CCK gauge attachment [SST: KV991040S0 ( – )] with the following procedure on wheel, then
measure wheel alignment.
1. Remove three wheel nuts, and install the guide bolts to hub bolt.
2. Screw the adapter into the plate until it contacts the plate tightly.
3. Screw the center plate into the plate.
4. Insert the plate assembly on the guide bolt. Put the spring in,
and then evenly screw the three guide bolt nuts. When fastening
the guide nuts, do not completely compress the spring.
5. Place the dent of alignment gauge onto the projection of the
center plate and tightly contact them to measure.
CAUTION:
If camber, caster, or kingpin inclination angle is outside
the standard, check front suspension parts for wear and
damage. Replace suspect parts if a malfunction is
detected.
Kingpin inclination angle is reference value, no inspec-
tion is required.
SEIA0240E
Camber, caster, kingpin inclination angles:
Refer to FSU-19, "
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICA-
TIONS (SDS)" .
SEIA0241E
FSU-10
[2WD]
FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
For VK45DE engine models, gradually lower a jack to remove front suspension assembly with engine
assembly from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
Installation is the reverse order of removal. For tightening torque, refer to FSU-8, "Components" .
Perform final tightening of each of parts (rubber bushing), under unladen conditions, which were removed
when removing front suspension assembly. Check wheel alignment. Refer to FSU-6, "
Wheel Alignment
Inspection" .
Adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor after checking wheel alignment. Refer to BRC-6, "Adjust-
ment of Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position" .
Check wheel sensor harness for proper connection. Refer to BRC-57, "WHEEL SENSOR" .