Page 3721 of 4801

RSU-4
< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
NVH Troubleshooting ChartINFOID:0000000009464452
Use the chart below to help you find the cause of the sy mptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
×: ApplicableReference page
RSU-8, "Exploded View"
—
—
—
—
RSU-8, "Exploded View"
RSU-5, "Inspection and Adjustment"
—
FAX-5, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"
FSU-6, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"WT-52, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"WT-52, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"FAX-5, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"BR-6, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"ST-29, "NVH Troubleshooting Chart"
Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS
Improper installation, looseness
Shock absorber deformation, damage or deflection
Bushing or mounting deterioration
Parts interference
Spring fatigue
Suspension looseness
Incorrect wheel alignment
Stabilizer bar fatigue
FRONT AXLE
FRONT SUSPENSION
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
DRIVE SHAFT
BRAKES
STEERING
Symp-
tom REAR SUSPENSION Noise
×××××× ×××××××
Shake ×××× × ×××××××
Vibration ××××× ××× × ×
Shimmy ×××× × ×××× ××
Shudder ××× ×××× ××
Poor quality ride
or handling ××××× ××××××
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3722 of 4801

REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLYRSU-5
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
C
D
F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
RSU
N
O P
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
On-vehicle ServiceINFOID:0000000009464454
• Check the suspension parts for excessive play, cracks, wear or damage. Shake each rear wheel to check for
excessive play.
• Retighten all nuts and bolts to the specified torque.
• Check the shock absorber for oil leakage or other damage.
• Check the wheelarch height. Refer to RSU-17, "Wheelarch Height
(Unladen*1)".
InspectionINFOID:0000000009464455
SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY
• Check for smooth operation through a full stroke for both compression and extension.
• Check for oil leakage on the welded or gland packing portions.
• Check the shock absorber piston r od for cracks, deformation, or other damage and replace if necessary.
SUSPENSION ARMS
• Check the suspension arm for damage, cracks, deformation and replace if necessary.
• Check the rubber bushings for damage, cracks and defo rmation. Replace suspension arm if necessary.
• After installing the radius rod, check the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary. Refer to RSU-17, "Wheel
Alignment (Unladen*)".
FRONT LOWER LINK
• Check the front lower link for any deformation, cracks, or damage and replace if necessary.
UPPER AND LOWER RUBBER SEATS
• Check the upper and lower rubber seats for deterioration, or cracks and replace if necessary.
REAR LOWER LINK AND COIL SPRING
• Check the rear lower link and coil spring for any def ormation, cracks, or other damage and replace if neces-
sary.
STABILIZER BAR
• Check the stabilizer bar and clamps for any deformation, cracks, or damage and replace if necessary.
• Check the rubber bushings for deterioration, or cracks and replace if necessary.
Inspection and AdjustmentINFOID:0000000009464456
Before checking the rear wheel ali gnment, make a preliminary inspection.
• Measure the wheel alignment under unladen conditions. NOTE:
Unladen conditions mean that fuel, engine coolant, and l ubricants are full. That the spare tire, jack, hand
tools, and mats are in their designated positions.
PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
• Check the tires for wear and for improper inflation.
• Check the wheels for deformation, cracks, and ot her damage. Remove the wheel and check the wheel
runout. Refer to WT-53, "Inspection"
.
• Check the rear wheel bearings for looseness.
• Check the rear suspension for looseness.
• Check that the rear shock absorbers work properly.
SMA113
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3723 of 4801

RSU-6
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
• Check the wheelarch height in the unladen condition. Refer to RSU-17, "Wheelarch Height (Unladen*1)".
GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. A Four-Wheel Thrust Alignment should be performed.
• This type of alignment is recommended for any NISSAN vehicle.
• The four-wheel “thrust” process helps ensure that the vehicle is properly aligned and the steering wheel
is centered.
• The alignment machine itself should be ca pable of accepting any NISSAN vehicle.
• The alignment machine should be checked to ensure that it is level.
2. Make sure the alignment machine is properly calibrated. • Your alignment machine should be regularly calibrated in order to give correct information.
• Check with the manufacturer of your specific al ignment machine for their recommended Service/Cali-
bration Schedule.
THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS
IMPORTANT: Use only the alignment specifications listed in this Service Manual. Refer to RSU-17,
"Wheelarch Height (Unladen*1)".
1. When displaying the alignment settings, many alignm ent machines use “indicators”: (Green/red, plus or
minus, Go/No Go). Do NOT use these indicators.
• The alignment specifications programmed into your alignment machine that operate these indicators
may not be correct.
• This may result in an ERROR.
2. Most camera-type alignment machines are equipped with both "Rolling Compensation" method and optional "Jacking Compensation" method to "com pensate" the alignment targets or head units.
"Rolling Compensation" is the preferred method.
• If using the "Rolling Compensation" method, after installing the alignment targets or head units, push or pull on the rear wheel to move the vehicle. Do not push or pull the vehicle body.
• If using the "Jacking Compensation" method, after in stalling the alignment targets or head units, raise
the vehicle and rotate the wheels 1/2 turn both ways.
NOTE:
Do not use the "Rolling Compensation" method if you are using sensor-type alignment equipment.
• Follow all instructions for the alignment machine you are using for more information.
CAMBER and TOE
• Camber and toe are both set by adjustment of the fr ont lower link and rear lower link adjusting bolts.
1. Loosen the nuts at the adjustment points on the front lower link and rear lower link.
2. Adjust the camber and toe by turning bolt (1) on front lower link (2).
3. Adjust the camber and toe by turning bolt (1) on rear lower link (2).
ALEIA0164ZZ
ALEIA0165ZZ
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3724 of 4801
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLYRSU-7
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
C
D
F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
RSU
N
O P
NOTE:
• Camber changes about 0 ° 5’ (0.08 °) with each graduation of the adjusting bolt.
• Turn the adjusting bolts in the same direction to calibrate camber.
• Toe changes about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) [one side] with each graduation of the adjusting bolt.
• Turn the adjusting bolts in the opposite direction to calibrate toe.
4. Tighten the adjusting bolt nuts to the specified torque. Camber : Refer to
RSU-17, "Wheel Alignment (Unlad-
en*)".
Total toe-in : Refer to RSU-17, "Wheel Alignment (Unlad-
en*)".
Adjusting bolt nuts : Refer to RSU-8, "Exploded View"
.
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3725 of 4801
RSU-8
< UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Exploded ViewINFOID:0000000009464457
Removal and InstallationINFOID:0000000009464458
Removal
1. Remove the rear wheel and tire using power tool. Refer to WT-55, "Adjustment".
1. Cap 2. Washer 3. Upper shock bushing
4. Distance tube 5. Shock absorber mount bracket 6. Lower shock bushing
7. Bound bumper cover 8. Bound bumper 9. Stabilizer bar
10. Connecting rod 11. Stabilizer bar clamp 12. Stabilizer bar bushing
13. Rear member stay 14. Front member stay 15. Rear suspension member
16. Front lower link 17 Suspension arm 18. Knuckle bushing
19. Knuckle 20. Shock absorber 21. Rear lower link
22. Lower rubber seat 23. Coil spring 24. Upper rubber seat
Front
ALEIA0155GB
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3726 of 4801

REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLYRSU-9
< UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
C
D
F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
RSU
N
O P
2. Remove the brake caliper torque member bolts, l eaving the brake hose attached. Reposition the brake
caliper aside with wire. Refer to BR-39, "BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY : Exploded View"
.
CAUTION:
• Do not depress brake pedal while brake caliper assembly is removed.
• Do not twist or stretch the brake hose.
3. Put alignment marks on the disc brake rotor and rear hub and bearing assembly, then remove the disc brake rotor.
4. Disconnect parking brake cables from each knuckle. Refer to PB-9, "Exploded View"
.
5. Remove lower shock (A) absorber bolt.
6. Remove the connecting rods from each rear lower link and the stabilizer bar. Refer to RSU-15, "Exploded
View".
7. Remove the center exhaust tube with muffler(s). Refer to EX-5, "Exploded View"
(QR25DE), EX-10,
"Exploded View" (VQ35DE).
8. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the rear suspension member.
9. Remove stabilizer bar. Refer to RSU-15, "Exploded View"
.
10. Disconnect ABS harness from rear suspension member.
11. Position a suitable lift table (A) to the rear suspension member and securely strap rear suspension member to lift table.
12. Remove each front member stay cover, the front member stay bolts (A) and each front member stay.
ALEIA0157ZZ
ALEIA0160ZZ
ALEIA0161ZZ
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3727 of 4801

RSU-10
< UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
13. Remove the rear member stay bolts (A) and each rear memberstay.
14. Remove the suspension member nuts using power tool.
15. Lower the rear suspension member, then remove the upper coil spring seats and the coil springs.
16. Remove the suspension arm bolts from the knuckles.
17. Remove the front and rear lower link bolts from the knuckles.
18. Remove each knuckle with the rear wheel hub and bearing and park brake components as an assembly.
19. Remove the coil spring lower rubber seat.
20. Remove the front and rear lower link bolts from the rear suspension member.
21. Remove the front lower link to rear lower link bolts (A) and sepa- rate.
Installation
Installation is in the reverse order of removal.
• Remove the engine under cover and place 2 jack stands under the front of the vehicle.
WARNING:
Jack stands must be placed under the front suspension member during installation.
• Make sure that upper seat is attached as shown.
CAUTION:
• Keep upper seat (1) in place dur ing coil spring installation.
Protrusion (A) on upper seat faces outside of vehicle.
• Align tabs (C) to upper seat openings and securely fit on the bracket (2) to tabs (B).
• Match up rubber seat indentions and rear lower link grooves and attach.
ALEIA0162ZZ
ALEIA0163ZZ
: Body
JPEIB0082ZZ
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
Page 3728 of 4801
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLYRSU-11
< UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >
C
D
F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
RSU
N
O P
• When installing the coil spring (1), check coil spring is attached as shown.
(A): Vehicle upper side
(B): 2 paint marks
(C): 1 paint mark
(D): Vehicle inside
CAUTION:
Position the coil spring with paint marks aligned, spring
should be 1 place from the bottom.
• Install coil spring by aligning lower end of the coil spring (1) to bump of lower spring seat (2).
• Perform the final tightening of rear suspension me mber and axle installation position (rubber bushing) under
unladen condition with tires on level ground.
• Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-5, "Inspection and Adjustment"
.
• Adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-58, "Work Procedure"
.
JPEIB0237ZZ
(A) : Maximum gap 5 mm (0.20 in)
ALEIA0145ZZ
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM