PS-1
POWER STEERING SYSTEM
G STEERING
CONTENTS
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SECTION PS
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Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
POWER STEERING SYSTEM
PRECAUTIONS .......................................................... 3
Precautions for Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) “AIR BAG” and “SEAT BELT PRE-TEN-
SIONER” .................................................................. 3
Precautions Necessary for Steering Wheel Rotation
after Battery Disconnect ........................................... 3
OPERATION PROCEDURE ................................. 3
Precautions for Steering System .............................. 4
PREPARATION ........................................................... 5
Special Service Tools [SST] ..................................... 5
Commercial Service Tools ........................................ 6
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................ 7
NVH Trouble Shooting Chart .................................... 7
POWER STEERING FLUID ........................................ 8
Checking Fluid Level ...........................................
..... 8
Checking Fluid Leakage ........................................... 8
Air Bleeding Hydraulic System ................................. 8
STEERING WHEEL .................................................. 10
On-Vehicle Inspection and Service ........................ 10
CHECKING CONDITION OF INSTALLATION .... 10
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL PLAY .............. 10
CHECKING NEUTRAL POSITION STEERING
WHEEL ............................................................... 10
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL TURNING
FORCE ................................................................ 10
CHECKING FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE .... 11
Removal and Installation ........................................ 12
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 12
INSTALLATION ................................................... 12
STEERING COLUMN ............................................... 13
Removal and Installation ........................................ 13
COMPONENTS .................................................. 13
REMOVAL OF UPPER JOINT, COLLAR, HOLE
COVER SEAL, HOLE COVER, LOWER SHAFT
AND LOWER JOINT ........................................... 14
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 14INSTALLATION OF UPPER JOINT, COLLAR,
HOLE COVER SEAL, HOLE COVER, LOWER
SHAFT AND LOWER JOINT .............................. 14
REMOVAL OF STEERING COLUMN ASSEM-
BLY ...................................................................... 15
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 16
INSTALLATION OF STEERING COLUMN
ASSEMBLY ......................................................... 16
INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION ................ 16
Disassembly and Assembly .................................... 17
COMPONENTS ................................................... 17
DISASSEMBLY ................................................... 17
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ................ 17
ASSEMBLY ......................................................... 17
INSPECTION AFTER ASSEMBLY ...................... 17
POWER STEERING GEAR ...................................... 18
Removal and Installation ........................................ 18
COMPONENTS ................................................... 18
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 18
INSTALLATION ................................................... 19
INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION ................ 19
Disassembly and Assembly .................................
... 20
COMPONENTS ................................................... 20
DISASSEMBLY ................................................... 21
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ................ 22
ASSEMBLY ......................................................... 24
POWER STEERING OIL PUMP ............................... 29
On-Vehicle Inspection and Service ......................... 29
CHECKING RELIEF OIL PRESSURE ................ 29
Removal and Installation ........................................ 29
REMOVAL ........................................................
... 29
INSTALLATION ................................................... 29
Disassembly and Assembly (Models with VK45DE) ... 30
COMPONENTS ................................................... 30
INSPECTION BEFORE DISASSEMBLY ............. 30
DISASSEMBLY ................................................... 31
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ................ 31
PS-8
POWER STEERING FLUID
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
POWER STEERING FLUIDPFP:KLF20
Checking Fluid LevelNGS000D5
Check fluid level with engine stopped.
Make sure that fluid level is between MIN and MAX.
Fluid levels at HOT and COLD are different. Do not confuse
them.
CAUTION:
The fluid level should not exceed the MAX line. Excessive
fluid will cause fluid leakage from the cap.
Do not reuse drained power steering fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine Nissan PSF or equiva-
lent.
Checking Fluid LeakageNGS000D6
Check hydraulic connections for fluid leakage, cracks, damage,
looseness, or wear.
1. Run engine until the fluid temperature reaches 50 to 80
C (122
to 176
F) in reservoir tank, and keep engine speed idle.
2. Turn steering wheel several times from full left stop to full right
stop.
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 10 seconds. (There is the possibility that oil pump may
be damaged.)
4. If fluid leakage at connections is noticed, then loosen flare nut and then retighten. Do not overtighten con-
nector as this can damage O-ring, washer and connector.
5. If fluid leakage from oil pump is noticed, check oil pump. Refer to PS-29, "
POWER STEERING OIL
PUMP" .
6. Check steering gear boots for accumulation of fluid indicating from steering gear.
Air Bleeding Hydraulic SystemNGS000D7
If air bleeding is not complete, the following symptoms can be observed.
Bubbles are created in reservoir tank.
Clicking noise can be heard from oil pump.
Excessive buzzing in the oil pump.
NOTE:
Fluid noise may occur in the steering gear or oil pump. This does not affect performance or durability of
the system.
1. Turn steering wheel several times from full left stop to full right stop with engine off.
CAUTION:
Turn steering wheel while filling reservoir tank with fluid so as not to lower fluid level below the
MIN line.
2. Start engine and hold steering wheel at each lock position for 3 seconds at idle to check for fluid leakage.
3. Repeat step 2 above several times at approximately 3 second intervals.
CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel in a locked position for more than 10 seconds. (There is the possi-
bility that oil pump may be damaged.)
4. Check fluid for bubbles and while contamination.HOT : Fluid temperature 50 - 80
C (122 - 176F)
COLD : Fluid temperature 0 - 30
C (32 - 86F)
PGIA0007J
SGIA0506E
POWER STEERING FLUID
PS-9
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Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
5. Stop engine if bubbles and white contamination do not drain out. Perform step 2 and 3 above after waiting
until bubbles and white contamination drain out.
6. Stop the engine, and then check fluid level.
PS-10
STEERING WHEEL
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
STEERING WHEELPFP:48430
On-Vehicle Inspection and ServiceNGS000D8
CHECKING CONDITION OF INSTALLATION
Check installation conditions of steering gear assembly, front suspension assembly, axle and steering col-
umn assembly.
Check if movement exists when steering wheel is moved up and down, to the left and right and to the axial
direction.
Check steering gear assembly mounting bolts and nut for looseness. Refer to PS-18, "COMPONENTS" .
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL PLAY
Turn steering wheel so that front wheels come to the straight-ahead position. Start engine and lightly turn
steering wheel to the left and right until front wheels start to move. Measure steering wheel movement on
the outer circumference.
When the measurement value is outside the standard value, check backlash for each joint of steering col-
umn assembly and installation condition of steering gear assembly.
CHECKING NEUTRAL POSITION STEERING WHEEL
Make sure that steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and steering wheel are installed in the
correct position.
Perform neutral position inspection after wheel alignment. Refer to FSU-6, "Wheel Alignment Inspection"
(2WD), FSU-23, "Wheel Alignment Inspection" (AWD).
Set vehicle to the straight-ahead position and confirm steering wheel is in the neutral position.
Loosen outer socket lock nut and turn inner socket to left and right equally to make fine adjustments if
steering wheel is not in the neutral position.
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE
1. Park vehicle on a level and dry surface, set parking brake.
2. Start engine.
3. Bring power steering fluid up to adequate operating temperature. [Make sure temperature of fluid is
approximately 50 to 80
C (122 to 176F).]
4. Check steering wheel turning force when steering wheel has
been turned 540
from neutral position.
NOTE:
Multiply the distance (L) from the hook of spring scale to the
center of steering wheel by the measurement value with a spring
scale.
5. If steering wheel turning force is out of the specification, check
rack sliding force and relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump.
Regarding relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump, refer to PS-29,
"CHECKING RELIEF OIL PRESSURE" .
a. Disconnect lower joint and steering knuckle from steering gear assembly. Refer to PS-13, "
COMPO-
NENTS" , FAX-5, "COMPONENT" .
b. Start and run engine at idle to make sure steering fluid has reached normal operating temperature. Steering wheel axial end play : 0 mm (0 in)
Steering wheel play : 0 - 35 mm (0 - 1.38 in)
Steering wheel turning
force: 7.45 Nꞏm (0.76 kg-m, 66 in-lb)
SGIA1025J
PS-18
POWER STEERING GEAR
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
POWER STEERING GEARPFP:49001
Removal and InstallationNGS000DC
COMPONENTS
CAUTION:
Spiral cable may be cut if steering wheel turns while separating steering column assembly and steer-
ing gear assembly. Be sure to secure steering wheel using string to avoid turning.
REMOVAL
1. Set vehicle to the straight-ahead position.
2. Remove tires from vehicle with a power tool.
3. Remove undercover from vehicle with a power tool.
4. Remove lower side fixing bolt of lower joint.
5. Remove cotter pin (1), and then loosen the nut.
6. Remove steering outer socket (2) from steering knuckle (3) so
as not to damage ball joint boot (4) using the ball joint remover
[suitable tool].
CAUTION:
Temporarily tighten the nut to prevent damage to threads
and to prevent the ball joint remover [suitable tool] from
suddenly coming off.
7. Remove high and low pressure piping of hydraulic piping, and
then drain power steering fluid. Refer to PS-38, "
HYDRAULIC
LINE" .
1. Cotter pin 2. Steering gear assembly 3. Steering gear assembly
(AWD models)
Refer to GI-11, "
Components" , for the symbols in the figure.
SGIA1387E
SGIA0844E
SGIA1183E
PS-20
POWER STEERING GEAR
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
Disassembly and AssemblyNGS000DD
COMPONENTS
CAUTION:
Disassemble and assemble steering gear assembly by securing the mounting area in a vise using
copper plates.
Clean steering gear assembly with kerosene before disassembling. Be careful to avoid splashing
or applying any kerosene over connector of discharge port or return port.
1. Outer socket 2. Boot clamp 3. Boot
4. Inner socket 5. Boot clamp (stainless wire) 6. End cover assembly
7. Rack oil seal 8. Rack Teflon ring 9. O-ring
10. Rack assembly 11. Gear housing assembly 12. Cylinder tubes
13. O-ring 14. Gear-sub assembly 15. EPS solenoid valve
16. Rear cover cap
Refer to GI-11, "
Components" , and the followings for the symbols in the figure.
: Apply power steering fluid.
: Apply Genuine Liquid Gasket, Three Bound 1111 B o r equivalent.
: Apply multi-purpose grease.
SGIA1388E
POWER STEERING GEAR
PS-21
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Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove fixing bolts of EPS solenoid valve, and then remove EPS solenoid valve from gear-sub assembly.
2. Remove cylinder tubes from gear housing assembly.
3. Remove rear cover cap from gear-sub assembly.
4. Measure adjusting screw height “H”, and loosen adjusting
screw.
CAUTION:
Do not loosen adjusting screw 2 turns or more.
Replace steering gear assembly if adjusting screw is
loosened 2 turns or more and it is removed.
5. Remove fixing bolts of gear-sub assembly, and then remove
gear-sub assembly from gear housing assembly.
6. Remove O-ring from gear housing assembly.
7. Loosen outer socket lock nut, and remove outer socket.
8. Remove boot clamp, and then remove boot from inner socket.
CAUTION:
Do not damage inner socket and gear housing assembly when removing boot. Inner socket and
gear housing assembly must be replaced if inner socket and gear housing assembly are damaged
because it may cause foreign material interfusion.
9. Remove inner socket from gear housing assembly.
10. Drill out the clinching part of gear housing assembly (end cover
assembly side) outer rim with a 3 mm (0.12 in) drill bit. [Drill for
approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 in) depth.]
11. Remove end cover assembly with a 36 mm (1.42 in) open head
(suitable tool).
CAUTION:
Do not damage rack assembly surface when removing.
Rack assembly must be replaced if damaged because it
may cause fluid leakage.
12. Pull rack assembly together with rack oil seal (outer side) out
from gear housing assembly.
CAUTION:
Do not damage cylinder inner wall when removing rack
assembly. Gear housing assembly must be replaced if dam-
aged because it may cause fluid leakage.
13. Heat rack Teflon ring to approximately 40
C (104F) with a
dryer, and remove rack Teflon ring and O-ring from rack assem-
bly.
CAUTION:
Do not damage rack assembly. Rack assembly must be
replaced if damaged because it may cause fluid leakage.
SGIA0624E
STC0013D
SST081B
SGIA0151E
PS-22
POWER STEERING GEAR
Revision: 2006 January2006 M35/M45
14. Push rack oil seal inside with a 29 mm (1.14 in) socket and an
extension bar to push out rack oil seal (inner side) from gear
housing assembly.
CAUTION:
Do not damage gear housing assembly and cylinder inner
wall. Gear housing assembly must be replaced if damaged
because it may cause fluid leakage.
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY
Boot
Check boot for cracks. Replace if there are.
Rack Assembly
Check rack for damage or wear. Replace if there are.
Gear-Sub Assembly
Check pinion gear for damage or wear. Replace if there are.
Rotate pinion and check for torque variation or rattle. Replace if there are.
Gear Housing Assembly
Check gear housing assembly for damage and scratches (inner wall). Replace if there are.
SGIA0179E