NISSAN 350Z 2007 Z33 Rear Suspension Workshop Manual

RSU-1
REAR SUSPENSION
E SUSPENSION
CONTENTS
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SECTION RSU
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RSU
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
REAR SUSPENSION
PRECAUTIONS .......................................................... 2
Cautions ................................................................... 2
PREPARATION ........................................................... 3
Special Service Tools ............................................... 3
Commercial Service Tools ........................................ 3
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................ 4
NVH Troubleshooting Chart ..................................... 4
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY ............................. 5
On-Vehicle Inspection .............................................. 5
INSPECTION OF SUSPENSION ARM BALL
JOINT END PLAY ................................................. 5
SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION ..................... 5
Wheel Alignment Inspection ..................................... 5
DESCRIPTION ...................................................... 5
PRELIMINARY INSPECTION ............................... 5
GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMEN-
DATIONS .............................................................. 5
THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS .............................. 6
CAMBER INSPECTION ........................................ 6
TOE-IN .................................................................. 6
Components ............................................................. 7
Removal and Installation .......................................... 8
REMOVAL ............................................................. 8
INSTALLATION ..................................................... 8
SHOCK ABSORBER .................................................. 9
Removal and Installation .......................................... 9
REMOVAL ............................................................. 9
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ......................... 9
INSTALLATION ..................................................... 9
Disassembly and Assembly ..................................... 9
DISASSEMBLY ..................................................... 9
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY ............... 10
ASSEMBLY ......................................................... 10SUSPENSION ARM .................................................. 11
Removal and Installation ........................................ 11
REMOVAL ........................................................... 11
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 11
INSTALLATION ................................................... 12
RADIUS ROD ............................................................ 13
Removal and Installation ........................................ 13
REMOVAL ........................................................... 13
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 13
INSTALLATION ................................................... 13
FRONT LOWER LINK .............................................. 14
Removal and Installation ........................................ 14
REMOVAL ........................................................... 14
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 14
INSTALLATION ................................................... 14
REAR LOWER LINK & COIL SPRING ..................... 15
Removal and Installation ........................................ 15
REMOVAL ........................................................... 15
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 15
INSTALLATION ................................................... 15
STABILIZER BAR ..................................................... 16
Removal and Installation ........................................ 16
REMOVAL ........................................................... 16
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 16
INSTALLATION ................................................... 16
REAR SUSPENSION MEMBER ............................... 17
Removal and Installation ........................................ 17
REMOVAL ........................................................... 17
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL ....................... 17
INSTALLATION ................................................... 17
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS) ...... 18
Wheel Alignment (Unladen*) .................................. 18
Ball Joint ................................................................. 18
Wheelarch Height (Unladen*) ................................. 18

RSU-2
PRECAUTIONS
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
PRECAUTIONSPFP:00001
CautionsNES0000K

When installing rubber bushings, final tightening must be carried out under unladen conditions with tires
on ground. Oil will 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.

Caulking nuts are not reusable. Always use new ones when installing. Since new caulking nuts are pre-
oiled, tighten as they are.

PREPARATION
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
PREPARATIONPFP:00002
Special Service ToolsNES0000L
The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.
Commercial Service ToolsNES0000M
Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.)
Tool nameDescription
ST3127S000
(J-25765-A)
Preload gaugeMeasuring rotating torque of ball joint
ZZA0806D
Tool nameDescription
Power toolLoosening bolts and nuts
PBIC0190E

RSU-4
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTINGPFP:00003
NVH Troubleshooting ChartNES0000N
Use chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
×: ApplicableReference page
RSU-7RSU-9—
—
—
RSU-7RSU-5RSU-16
NVH in PR section.
NVH in RFD section.
NVH in RAX and RSU sections.
NVH in WT section.
NVH in WT section.
NVH in RAX section.
NVH in BR section.
NVH in PS section.
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
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIFFERENTIAL
REAR AXLE AND REAR SUSPENSION
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
DRIVE SHAFT
BRAKES
STEERING
Symptom REAR SUSPENSIONNoise×××××× ××××××××
Shake×××× × × ××××××
Vibration××××× × ×× × ×
Shimmy×××× × ××× ××
Judder ××× ××× ××
Poor quality ride or
handling××××× ×× ×××

REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLYPFP:55020
On-Vehicle InspectionNES0000O
Make sure the mounting conditions (looseness, back lash) of each component and component status (wear,
damage) are normal.
INSPECTION OF SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT END PLAY

Measure axial end play by installing and moving up/down with
an iron pry bar or something similar between suspension arm
and axle.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage ball joint boot.
SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION

Check shock absorber for oil leakage, damage and replace if necessary.
Wheel Alignment InspectionNES0000P
DESCRIPTION

Measure wheel alignment under unladen conditions. “Unladen conditions” means that fuel, engine cool-
ant, and lubricant are full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.
PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

Check tires for improper air pressure and wear.

Check road wheels for runout.

Check wheel bearing axial end play.

Check ball joint axial end play of suspension arm.

Check shock absorber operation.

Check each mounting point of axle and suspension for looseness and deformation.

Check each link, arm and member for cracks, deformation, and other damage.

Check vehicle 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)
SEIA0245J

RSU-6
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
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.
CAMBER INSPECTION

Measure camber of both right and left wheels with a suitable
alignment gauge and adjust in accordance with the following
procedures.
If outside the standard value, adjust with adjusting bolt in front
lower link.
NOTE:
After adjusting camber, be sure to check toe-in.
TOE-IN
If toe-in is not within the specification, adjust with adjusting bolt in
rear lower link.
CAUTION:
Be sure to adjust equally on RH and LH side with adjusting bolt.
If toe-in is not still within the specification, inspect and replace any
damaged or worn rear suspension parts.Camber : Refer to RSU-18, "
SERVICE DATA
AND SPECIFICATIONS (SDS)" .
SRA096A
SEIA0227E
SEIA0228E

REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
ComponentsNES0000Q
SEIA0442E

RSU-8
REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
Removal and InstallationNES0000R
REMOVAL
1. Remove tire 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-
39, "REAR DISC BRAKE" .
NOTE:
Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.
3. Remove stabilizer bar. Refer to RSU-16, "
STABILIZER BAR" .
4. Remove rear exhaust tube. Refer to EX-3, "
EXHAUST SYSTEM" .
5. Remove rear propeller shaft. Refer to PR-5, "
REAR PROPELLER SHAFT" .
6. Separate attachment bolts between parking brake cable and vehicle and rear suspension member. Refer
to PB-4, "
PARKING BRAKE CONTROL" .
7. Remove wheel sensor from rear final drive.
8. Remove rear lower link and coil spring. Refer to RSU-15, "
REAR LOWER LINK & COIL SPRING" .
9. Remove fixing bolt in upper side of mounting seal bracket. Refer to RSU-9, "
SHOCK ABSORBER" .
10. Set jack under rear final drive.
11. Remove tunnel stay and member stay from vehicle.
12. Remove fixing bolts and nuts of rear pin stay and then remove rear pin stay from vehicle.
13. Gradually lowering jack, remove rear suspension assembly.
INSTALLATION

Refer to RSU-7, "Components" 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 condition with tires
on level ground. Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-18, "
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS
(SDS)" .
1. Bushing 2. Mounting seal 3. Distance tube
4. Mounting seal bracket 5. Bushing 6. Bound bumper cover
7. Bound bumper 8. Shock absorber 9. Axle
10. Cotter pin 11. Upper seat 12. Coil spring
13. Ball seat 14. Rubber seat 15. Suspension arm
16. Stopper rubber 17. Stabilizer connecting rod mounting
bracket18. Stabilizer connecting rod
19. Rear pin stay 20. Rear suspension member 21. Rear lower link
22. Front lower link 23. Radius rod 24. Stabilizer bar
25. Stabilizer bushing 26. Stabilizer clamp 27. Member stay
28. Tunnel stay

SHOCK ABSORBER
RSU-9
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Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
SHOCK ABSORBERPFP:56210
Removal and InstallationNES0000S
REMOVAL
1. Remove tire with power tool.
2. Set jack under rear lower link.
3. Remove fixing bolt in lower side of shock absorber assembly with power tool.
4. Remove mounting seal bracket fixing nuts of shock absorber
upper side with power tool and remove shock absorber from
vehicle.
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

Check shock absorber assembly for deformation, cracks, damage, and replace if necessary.

Check piston rod for damage, uneven wear or distortion, and replace if necessary.

Check welded and sealed areas for oil leakage, and replace if necessary.
INSTALLATION

Refer to RSU-7, "Components" 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 shock absorber assembly lower side (rubber bushing) under unladen condition
with tires on level ground. Check wheel alignment. Refer to RSU-18, "
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICA-
TIONS (SDS)" .
Disassembly and AssemblyNES0000T
DISASSEMBLY
CAUTION:
Make sure piston rod on shock absorber is not damaged when removing components from shock
absorber.
1. Remove mounting seal from mounting seal bracket.
2. Wrap a shop cloth around lower side of shock absorber and fix it in a vise.
CAUTION:
Do not set the cylindrical part of shock absorber in vise.
3. Secure piston rod tip so that piston rod does not turn, and
remove piston rod lock nut.
4. Remove bushing (Upper side), distance tube, mounting seal
bracket, bushing (Lower side), bound bumper cover and bound
bumper from shock absorber.
FA-0274D
SEIA0218J

RSU-10
SHOCK ABSORBER
Revision: 2006 November2007 350Z
INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY
Bound Bumper and Bushing

Check bound bumper and bushing for cracks, deformation or other damage. Replace if necessary.
ASSEMBLY

Refer to RSU-7, "Components" for tightening torque. Assembly in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.
CAUTION:
Make sure piston rod on shock absorber is not damaged when attaching components to shock
absorber.