front axle INFINITI FX35 2006 Owner's Guide

NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING PR-3
C E F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
PR
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTINGPFP:00003
NVH Troubleshooting ChartNDS000AS
Use the chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
× : Applicable
Reference page
Front
PR-4—
—
—
—
PR-4PR-5
NVH in FFD and RFD section
NVH in FAX, RAX, FSU, and RSU section
NVH in WT section
NVH in WT section
NVH in RAX section
NVH in BR section
NVH in PS section
RearPR-7PR-11—
PR-8—
PR-7PR-10
Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS
Uneven rotating torque
Center bearing improper installation
Excessive center bearing axial end play
Center bearing mounting (insulator) cracks, damage or deterioration
Excessive joint angle
Rotation imbalance
Excessive runout
DIFFERENTIAL
AXLE AND SUSPENSION
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
DRIVE SHAFT
BRAKES
STEERING
Symptom Noise
××××××××××××××
Shake × × ××××××
Vibration ××××××× ×× × ×

PS-10
STEERING WHEEL
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
STEERING WHEELPFP:48430
On-Vehicle Inspection and ServiceNGS000BW
CHECKING CONDITION OF INSTALLATION

Check installation condition of steering gear assembly, front suspension, axle and steering column.

Check if movement exists when steering wheel is moved up and down, to the left and right and to the axial
direction.

Check if the mounting bolts for steering gear assembly are loose
or not. Refer to PS-17, "
POWER STEERING GEAR AND LINK-
AGE" .
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL PLAY
1. Set tires to the straight ahead, start engine, then turn steering wheel to the left and right lightly, and mea-
sure steering wheel movement on the outer circumference when steering wheel is turned up to the point
where tires start moving.
CHECKING NEUTRAL POSITION ON STEERING WHEEL
Check neutral position on steering wheel after confirming that front wheel alignment is correct. Refer to FSU-
6, "Wheel Alignment Inspection" .
1. Set vehicle to the straight direction, check if steering wheel is in the neutral position.
2. If it is not in the neutral position, remove steering wheel and reinstall it correctly.
3. If the neutral position cannot adjust in the two teeth of steering gear assembly, loosen outer socket lock nuts of steering outer sockets, then adjust outer socket by the same amount in the opposite direction.
CHECKING STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE
1. Park vehicle on a level and dry surface, set parking brake.
2. Remove driver air bag module from steering wheel. Refer to SRS-38, "
DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE" .
3. Start engine at idle, make steering fluid reach to normal operat- ing temperature [50 to 80 °C (122 to 176 °F)], then check steering
wheel turning torque with pre-load gauge (SST).
4. If steering wheel turning force is out of the specification, check relief hydraulic pressure of oil pump. Refer to PS-29, "
POWER
STEERING OIL PUMP" .
End play of the axle direction for steering wheel : 0 mm (0 in)
SGIA0546E
Steering wheel play on the outer circumference : 0
− 35 mm (0 − 1.38 in)
Turning torque : 7.45 N·m (0.76 kg-m, 66 in-lb) or less
SGIA0459E

REAR WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE RAX-5
C E F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
RAX
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
REAR WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLEPFP:40202
On-Vehicle Inspection NDS000D1
Make sure the mounting conditions (looseness, back lash) of each component and component status (wear,
damage) are normal.
WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION
With the vehicle raised, inspect the following.

Move wheel hub in the axial direction by hand. Check that there is no looseness of front wheel bearing.

Rotate wheel hub and make sure there is no unusual noise or other irregular conditions. If there are any
irregular conditions, replace wheel hub and bearing assembly.
Removal and InstallationNDS000CI
COMPONENTS
REMOVAL
1. Remove tires from vehicle with power tool.
2. Remove cotter pin. Then remove lock nut from drive shaft.
3. Remove brake caliper with power tool. Hang it in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to BR-
27, "Removal and Installation of Brake Caliper Assembly" .
NOTE:

Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
4. Remove disc rotor. Refer to BR-27, "
Removal and Installation of Brake Caliper Assembly" .
5. Remove parking cable and parking shoe from back plate. Refer to PB-4, "
Removal and Installation" .
6. Remove wheel sensor from axle. Refer to BRC-55, "
WHEEL SENSORS" .
CAUTION:
Do not pull on wheel sensor harness.
7. Separate drive shaft from wheel hub and bearing assembly by lightly tapping the end with a suitable ham- mer and wood block. If it is hard to separate, use a suitable puller.
8. Remove fixing bolts of wheel hub and bearing assembly with power tool, then remove wheel hub and bearing assembly from axle. Axial end play : 0.05 mm (0.002 in) or less
1. Drive shaft 2. Bushing 3. Axle
4. Back plate 5. Anchor block 6. Wheel bearing
7. Wheel hub 8. Cotter pin
SDIA1481E

RAX-6
REAR WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
9. Remove parking brake cable and parking brake shoe from back plate. Refer to PB-6, "PARKING BRAKE
SHOE" and PB-4, "PARKING BRAKE CONTROL" .
10. Remove fixing nuts of anchor block with power tool, then remove anchor block and back plate from axle.
11. Loosen fixing bolts and nuts of front lower link, radius rod, and rear lower link in side of suspension mem- ber.
12. Set jack under rear lower link. Then remove fixing bolt in front lower link side of shock absorber with power tool.
13. Remove bolt and nut in axle side of rear lower link with power tool. Then remove coil spring. Refer to RSU-15, "
REAR LOWER LINK & COIL SPRING" .
14. Remove fixing bolts and nuts in axle side of front lower link, radius rod with power tool.
15. Remove suspension arm and cotter pin at axle, then loosen mounting nut.
16. Use a ball joint remover (suitable tool) to remove suspension arm from axle. Be careful not to damage ball joint boot.
CAUTION:
Tighten temporarily mounting nut to prevent damage to threads and to prevent ball joint remover
(suitable tool) from coming off.
17. Remove axle from vehicle.
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Check for deformity, cracks and damage on each parts, replace if necessary.
Ball Joint Inspection
Check for boot breakage, axial looseness, and torque of suspension arm ball joint. Refer to RSU-11,
"INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL" .
INSTALLATION

Refer to RAX-5, "Removal and Installation" for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.

Perform final tightening of installation position of suspension links (rubber bushing) under unladen condi-
tions with tires on level ground, Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-5, "
Wheel Alignment Inspection" .

After adjusting wheel alignment, adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "Adjust-
ment of Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position" .

RFD-1
REAR FINAL DRIVE
D DRIVELINE/AXLE
CONTENTS
C E F
G H
I
J
K L
M
SECTION RFD
A
B
RFD
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
REAR FINAL DRIVE
PRECAUTIONS ..................................................... ..... 2
Service Notice or Precautions ............................. ..... 2
PREPARATION ...................................................... ..... 3
Special Service Tools .......................................... ..... 3
Commercial Service Tools ................................... ..... 6
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................... ..... 7
NVH Troubleshooting Chart ................................ ..... 7
DESCRIPTION ....................................................... ..... 8
Cross-Sectional View .......................................... ..... 8
DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL ................................... ..... 9
Changing Differential Gear Oil ............................ ..... 9
DRAINING ........................................................ ..... 9
FILLING ............................................................ ..... 9
Checking Differential Gear Oil ............................. ..... 9
OIL LEAKAGE AND OIL LEVEL ...................... ..... 9
FRONT OIL SEAL ................................................. ... 10
Removal and Installation ..................................... ... 10
IDENTIFICATION STAMP OF REPLACEMENT
FREQUENCY OF FRONT OIL SEAL .............. ... 10
REMOVAL ........................................................ ... 10
INSTALLATION ................................................ ... 12
SIDE OIL SEAL ..................................................... ... 14
Removal and Installation ..................................... ... 14
REMOVAL ........................................................ ... 14
INSTALLATION ................................................ ... 14 REAR FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY .........................
... 16
Removal and Installation ..................................... ... 16
COMPONENTS ................................................ ... 16
REMOVAL ........................................................ ... 16
INSTALLATION ................................................ ... 17
Disassembly and Assembly ................................. ... 18
COMPONENTS ................................................ ... 18
ASSEMBLY INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT ... 19
DISASSEMBLY ................................................ ... 22
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ............. ... 26
ADJUSTMENT AND SELECTION OF ADJUST-
ING WASHERS ................................................ ... 26
ASSEMBLY ...................................................... ... 31
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS) ... ... 37
General Specifications ......................................... ... 37
Inspection and Adjustment .................................. ... 37
DRIVE GEAR RUNOUT ................................... ... 37
DIFFERENTIAL SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE .... ... 37
PRELOAD TORQUE ........................................ ... 37
BACKLASH ...................................................... ... 37
COMPANION FLANGE RUNOUT .................... ... 37
SELECTIVE PARTS ......................................... ... 37

RSU-8
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
REMOVAL
1. Remove tires from vehicle with power tool.
2. Remove brake caliper with power tool. Hang it in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to BR-
25, "REAR DISC BRAKE" .
NOTE:
Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
3. Remove wheel sensor from rear final drive, then remove wheel sensor harness from rear suspension member.
4. Remove height sensor harness from rear suspension member (if equipped).
5. Remove center muffler and main muffler. Refer to EX-3, "
Components" .
6. Remove stabilizer bar. Refer to RSU-16, "
Removal and Installation" .
7. Remove rear propeller shaft. Refer to PR-9, "
Removal and Installation" .
8. Separate attachments between parking brake cable and vehicle and rear suspension member.
9. Remove rear lower link and coil spring. Refer to RSU-15, "
Removal and Installation" .
10. Remove fixing bolt in lower side of shock absorber with power tool.
11. Set jack under rear final drive.
12. Remove fixing bolts and nuts of tunnel stay and member stay with power tool, then remove those parts from vehicle.
13. Remove fixing bolts and nuts of rear pin stay with power tool and then remove rear pin stay from vehicle.
14. Gradually lowering jack, remove rear suspension assembly.
INSTALLATION

Refer to RSU-7, "Removal and installation" for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.

Perform final tightening of installation position of links (rubber bushing) under unladen conditions with tires
on level ground. Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-5, "
Wheel Alignment Inspection" .

After adjusting wheel alignment, adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "Adjust-
ment of Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position" .
1. Bushing 2. Mounting seal 3. Mounting seal bracket
4. Distance tube 5. Bound bumper cover 6. Bound bumper
7. Shock absorber 8. Upper seat 9. Coil spring
10. Rubber seat 11. Rear lower link 12. Axle assembly
13. Cotter pin 14. Radius rod 15. Front lower link protector
16. Front lower link 17. Stopper rubber 18. Shock absorber assembly
19. Suspension arm 20. Stabilizer connecting rod mounting bracket 21. Stabilizer connecting rod
22. Rear pin stay 23. Rear suspension member 24. Stabilizer bar
25. Stabilizer bushing 26. Stabilizer clamp 27. Member stay
28. Tunnel stay A: With height sensor B: Without height sensor
Refer to GI-11, "
Components" , for the symbols in the figure.

RSU-14
FRONT LOWER LINK
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
FRONT LOWER LINKPFP:55110
Removal and InstallationNES000GC
REMOVAL
1. Remove tires from vehicle with power tool.
2. Set jack under rear lower link.
3. Remove front lower link protector.
4. Remove shock absorber assembly from vehicle. Refer to RSU-9, "
Removal and Installation" .
5. Remove fixing nut and bolt between front lower link and axle with power tool.
6. Remove fixing nut and bolt between front lower link and rear suspension member with power tool.
7. Remove front lower link from vehicle.
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Check front lower link and bushing for any deformation, crack, or damage. Replace if necessary.
INSTALLATION

Refer to RSU-7, "Removal and installation" for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.

Perform final tightening of rear suspension member and axle installation position (rubber bushing) under
unladen conditions with tires on level ground. Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-5, "
Wheel Alignment
Inspection" .

After adjusting wheel alignment, adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "Adjust-
ment of Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position" .

REAR SUSPENSION MEMBER RSU-17
C
D
F
G H
I
J
K L
M A
B
RSU
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
REAR SUSPENSION MEMBERPFP:55501
Removal and InstallationNES000GF
REMOVAL
1. Remove tires from vehicle with power tool.
2. Remove brake caliper with power tool. Hang it in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to BR-
25, "REAR DISC BRAKE" .
NOTE:
Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
3. Remove wheel sensor from rear final drive, then remove wheel sensor harness from rear suspension member. Refer to BRC-55, "
WHEEL SENSORS" .
4. Remove height sensor harness from rear suspension member (if equipped).
5. Remove center muffler and main muffler. Refer to EX-3, "
EXHAUST SYSTEM" .
6. Remove stabilizer bar. Refer to RSU-16, "
Removal and Installation" .
7. Remove rear drive shaft. Refer to RAX-9, "
REAR DRIVE SHAFT" .
8. Remove propeller shaft. Refer to PR-7, "
REAR PROPELLER SHAFT" .
9. Remove rear final drive. Refer to RFD-16, "
Removal and Installation" .
10. Separate attachments between parking brake cable and vehicle and rear suspension member. Refer to PB-4, "
PARKING BRAKE CONTROL" .
11. Remove rear lower link and coil spring. Refer to RSU-15, "
Removal and Installation" .
12. Remove fixing bolt in lower side of shock absorber with power tool.
13. Set jack under rear suspension member.
14. Remove fixing bolts and nuts of tunnel stay and member stay with power tool, then remove those parts from vehicle and rear suspension member.
15. Remove fixing bolts and nuts of rear pin stay with power tool and then remove rear pin stay from vehicle and rear suspension member.
16. Slowly lowering jack, then remove rear suspension member, suspension arm, radius rod, front lower link and axle from vehicle as a unit.
17. Remove fixing bolts and nuts with power tool, then remove suspension arm, front lower link, and radius rod from rear suspension member.
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Check rear suspension member for deformation, cracks, and other damage and replace if necessary.
INSTALLATION

Refer to RSU-7, "Removal and installation" , for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.

Perform final tightening of installation position of links (rubber bushing) under unladen conditions with tires
on level ground. Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-5, "
Wheel Alignment Inspection" .

After adjusting wheel alignment, adjust neutral position of steering angle sensor. Refer to BRC-6, "Adjust-
ment of Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position" .

RSU-18
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)PFP:00030
Wheel Alignment (Unladen*)NES000LV
*: Fuel, engine coolant and lubricant oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats are in designated positions.
Ball JointNES000GH
Wheelarch Height (Unladen*)NES000GI
*: Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats are in designated positions. Camber
Degree minute (Decimal degree) Minimum –1
° 18 ′ (–1.30 °)
Nominal –0 ° 48 ′ (–0.80 °)
Maximum –0 ° 18 ′ (–0.30 °)
Total toe-in Distance
Minimum 2.4 mm (0.09 in)
Nominal 4.7 mm (0.19 in)
Maximum 7.0 mm (0.28 in)
Angle (left wheel or right wheel)
Degree minute (Decimal degree) Minimum 0
° 05 ′ (0.08 °)
Nominal 0 ° 10 ′ (0.17 °)
Maximum 0 ° 15 ′ (0.25 °)
Axial end play 0 mm (0 in)
Swing torque 0.5 − 3.4 N·m (0.06 − 0.34 kg-m, 5 − 30 in-lb)
Measurement on spring balance (cotter pinhole position) 9.7 − 66.0 N (0.99 − 6.7 kg, 2.18 − 14.8 lb)
Rotating torque 0.5 − 3.4 N·m (0.06 − 0.34 kg-m, 5 − 30 in-lb)
Destination USA Canada
Engine VQ35DE VK45DE VQ35DE VK45DE
Axle 2WD AWD AWD
Tire size 265/60R18 265/50R20 265/60R18 265/50R20 265/60R18 265/50R20
Front (Hf) 835 mm
(32.87 in) 834 mm
(32.83 in) 834 mm
(32.83 in) 833 mm
(32.80 in) 832 mm
(32.76 in) 834 mm
(32.83 in) 833 mm
(32.80 in) 832 mm
(32.76 in)
Rear (Hr) 822 mm
(32.36 in) 821 mm
(32.32 in) 829 mm
(32.64 in) 827 mm
(32.56 in) 825 mm
(32.48 in) 827 mm
(32.56 in) 826 mm
(32.52 in) 823 mm
(32.40 in)
SFA818A

WT-6
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
Revision: 2006 December 2006 FX35/FX45
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTINGPFP:00003
NVH Troubleshooting ChartNES000GL
Use the chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
× : Applicable
Reference page
FAX-4
,
FAX-10
, FSU-6
WT-7—
—
—
—
—
—
NVH in PR section
NVH in RFD section
NVH in FAX and FSU section
NVH in RAX and RSU section
Refer to TIRES in this chart.
Refer to ROAD WHEEL in this chart. NVH in FAX, RAX sectionNVH in BR section NVH in PS section
Possible cause and SUSPECTED PARTS
Improper installation, looseness
Out-of-round
Imbalance
Incorrect tire pressure
Uneven tire wear
Deformation or damage
Non-uniformity
Incorrect tire size
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIFFERENTIAL
FRONT AXLE AND FRONT SUSPENSION
REAR AXLE AND REAR SUSPENSION
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
DRIVE SHAFT
BRAKE
STEERING
Symptom TIRES Noise
× ×××××× ×××× ××××
Shake × ××××× ×× ×× ××××
Vibration ×××××××
Shimmy × ××××××× ×× × ××
Judder × ××××× × ×× × ××
Poor quality ride
or handling × ××××× × ×× ×
ROAD WHEEL Noise
× ×× × ××××× ×××
Shake × ×× × × ××× ×××
Shimmy, Judder × ×× × ××× ××
Poor quality ride
or handling × ×× × ×××