suspension NISSAN ALMERA 2001 User Guide

CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTENANCE=NJMA0043S0502Abbreviations: R = Replace I = Inspect: Correct or replace if necessary
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Refer-
ence
pages Perform on a kilometer basis
only.km x 1,000
(miles x
1,000)10
(6)20
(12)30
(18)40
(24)50
(30)60
(36)70
(42)80
(48)90
(54)100
(60)11 0
(66)120
(72)
Underhood and under vehicle
Headlamp aiming I I I EL-65
Wheel alignment (if necessary,
balance & rotate wheels)IIISU-6
SU-18
Brake pads, rotors & other
brake componentsHIIIIIIBR-27
BR-28
Foot brake, parking brake &
clutch (for free play, stroke &
operation)IIIIIIBR-12
BR-48
CL-9
Brake booster vacuum hoses,
connections, check valveI I BR-21
Brake & clutch, systems and
fluid (for level and leaks)IIIIIIBR-8
Brake fluidHR R BR-8
Power steering fluid and lines
(for level and leaks)IIIIIIST-7
Supplemental air bag systemsSee NOTE
(1)RS-25
Ventilation air filterHRRRRRRHA-96
Manual transaxle gear oil
(check for leakage. Use genu-
ine NISSAN XZ gear oil or
exact equivalent)IIIMT-14
MT-15
Steering gear & linkage, axle &
suspension parts, drive shafts,
exhaust systemHIIST-7
SU-6
SU-18
FE-32
Body corrosionSee NOTE
(3)BT-6
NOTE:
(1) Inspect after 10 years, then every 2 years.
(2) Check expiration date of the tyre sealant bottle. Replace if necessary.
(3) Inspect once per year.
HMaintenance items with ªHº should be performed more frequently according to ªMaintenance Under Severe Driving Con-
ditionsº.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE (FOR EUROPE)
Maintenance Schedule for Diesel Engines (Annual Mileage > 30,000 km/year) (Cont'd)
MA-13

Driving conditionMaintenance
itemMaintenance
operationMaintenance interval
......GH....Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension parts, drive shafts,
exhaust system
Petrol models Inspect Every 30,000 km (18,000 miles)
Diesel models Inspect Every 30,000 km (18,000 miles)
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE (FOR EUROPE)
Maintenance Under Severe Driving Conditions (Annual Driving Distance > 30,000 km/year) (Cont'd)
MA-15

SMT940D
SMT951D
21. Pick up EGI harness clamp and install engine slinger. Next, set
chain block.
22. Jack up the air compressor engine bracket.
23. Remove engine front mounting.
24. Remove LH side mounting. Refer to EM-137, ªRemoval and
Installationº.
SMT952D
25. Jack up until engine oil filter bracket bolts are just about to
touch the side frame.
SMT941D
26. Remove bolts securing transaxle.
27. While the transaxle is suspended, withdraw the transaxle case
from the engine without hitting suspension member.
+Open the front of the transaxle when the clutch cover
appears. Then, lower the transaxle pulling it toward the
right front.
+The spacer between the engine and transaxle should be
left at the engine side.
28. Remove spacer.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONRS5F50A
Removal (Cont'd)
MT-27

SMT941D
InstallationNJMT0090S021. Put transaxle under the engine compartment.
2. Set chain block on transaxle and hang.
3. Lift up transaxle case so as not to hit against the side frame
and suspension member.
4. Assemble transaxle to engine.
+Tighten LH mount, rear side mount and center member bolts.
Refer to EM-137, ªRemoval and Installationº.
+Tighten clutch operating cylinder bolts. Refer to CL-15, ªInstal-
lationº.
+Tighten starter motor bolts. Refer to SC-21, ªRemoval and
Installationº.
+Install drive shafts. Refer to AX-12, ªInstallationº.
+Tighten all transaxle bolts and any part removed.
SMT932D
MODEL YD ENGINENJMT0090S0201
Bolt No. Tightening torque N´m (kg-m, ft-lb) ª!º mm (in)
140 - 49 (4.0 - 5.0, 29 - 36) 70 (2.76)
230.4 - 36.3 (3.1 - 3.7, 23 - 26) 60 (2.36)
330.4 - 36.3 (3.1 - 3.7, 23 - 26) 55 (2.17)
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONRS5F50A
Installation
MT-28

NJST0006
NVH Troubleshooting ChartNJST0006S01Use the chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
Reference pageST-7
ST-8
ST-20
ST-20
ST-20
ST-7
ST-6
ST-8
Refer to EM-16.
Ð
ST-11
ST-6
ST-15
ST-14
ST-16
AX-3
AX-3
SU-4
SU-4
SU-4
BR-7
Possible cause and
SUSPECTED PARTS
Fluid level
Air in hydraulic system
Tie-rod ball joint swinging force
Tie-rod ball joint rotating torque
Tie-rod ball joint end play
Steering gear fluid leakage
Steering wheel play
Steering gear rack sliding force
Drive belt looseness
Improper steering wheel
Improper installation or looseness or tilt lock lever
Mounting rubber deterioration
Steering column deformation or damage
Improper installation or looseness of steering column
Steering linkage looseness
DRIVE SHAFT
AXLE
SUSPENSION
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
BRAKES
Symptom STEERINGNoise´´´´´´´´´ ´´´´´´
Shake´´´ ´´´´´´
Vibration´´´´´ ´´´´
Shimmy´´´ ´ ´´´´´
Judder´ ´ ´´´´´
´: Applicable
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) TROUBLESHOOTING
NVH Troubleshooting Chart
ST-5

SST489B
Checking Steering Wheel PlayNJST0007+With wheels in a straight-ahead position, check steering wheel
play.
Steering wheel play:
35 mm (1.38 in) or less
+If it is not within specification, check the following for loose or
worn components.
Steering gear assembly
Steering column
Front suspension and axle
SST490BA
Checking Neutral Position on Steering WheelNJST0008PRE-CHECKINGNJST0008S01+Make sure that wheel alignment is correct.
Wheel alignment:
Refer to SU-14, SDS.
+Verify that the steering gear is centered before removing the
steering wheel.
CHECKINGNJST0008S021. Check that the steering wheel is in the neutral position when
driving straight ahead.
2. If it is not in the neutral position, remove the steering wheel and
reinstall it correctly.
3. If the neutral position is between two teeth, loosen tie-rod lock
nuts. Turn the tie-rods by the same amount in opposite direc-
tions on both left and right sides.
SMA127
Front Wheel Turning AngleNJST00091. Rotate steering wheel all the way right and left; measure turn-
ing angle.
Turning angle of full turns:
Refer to SU-14, SDS.
2. If it is not within specification, check rack stroke.
Rack stroke ªSº:
Refer to SDS, ST-34.
SST663B
Checking Gear Housing MovementNJST00101. Check the movement of steering gear housing during station-
ary steering on a dry paved surface.
+Apply a force of 49 N (5 kg, 11 lb) to steering wheel to check
the gear housing movement.
Turn off ignition key while checking.
Movement of gear housing:
±2mm(±0.08 in) or less
2. If movement exceeds the limit, replace mount insulator after
confirming proper installation of gear housing clamps.
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Checking Steering Wheel Play
ST-6

FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION
SECTION
SU
CONTENTS
FRONT SUSPENSION....................................................2
Precautions ..................................................................2
PRECAUTIONS.........................................................2
Preparation ..................................................................2
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS........................................2
COMMERCIAL SERVICE TOOLS................................2
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Troubleshooting ...........................................................4
NVH TROUBLESHOOTING CHART............................4
Components.................................................................5
On-vehicle Service.......................................................6
FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS...................................6
BALANCING WHEELS...............................................7
TIRE ROTATION.......................................................7
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT.....................................7
Coil Spring and Shock Absorber .................................9
COMPONENTS.........................................................9
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION...............................10
DISASSEMBLY........................................................10
INSPECTION...........................................................10
ASSEMBLY............................................................. 11
Stabilizer Bar ............................................................. 11
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION............................... 11
Transverse Link and Lower Ball Joint .......................12
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION...............................12
INSPECTION...........................................................13
Service Data and Specifications (SDS).....................14
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS (FRONT).....................14
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT (UNLADEN*1).............14
LOWER BALL JOINT...............................................14
WHEELARCH HEIGHT (UNLADEN*1).......................15
WHEEL RUNOUT....................................................15
WHEEL BALANCE...................................................15
REAR SUSPENSION.....................................................16
Precautions ................................................................16
PRECAUTIONS.......................................................16
Preparation ................................................................16
COMMERCIAL SERVICE TOOLS..............................16
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Troubleshooting .........................................................16
Components...............................................................17
On-vehicle Service.....................................................18
REAR SUSPENSION PARTS...................................18
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT.....................................18
Removal and Installation ...........................................20
REMOVAL...............................................................21
INSTALLATION........................................................21
Coil Spring and Shock Absorber ...............................21
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION...............................21
DISASSEMBLY........................................................22
INSPECTION...........................................................22
ASSEMBLY.............................................................22
Torsion Beam, Lateral Link and Control Rod ............23
DISASSEMBLY........................................................23
INSPECTION...........................................................23
ASSEMBLY.............................................................23
Service Data and Specifications (SDS).....................25
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS (REAR).......................25
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT (UNLADEN*).................25

SBR686C
Precautions
PRECAUTIONSNJSU0001+When installing rubber parts, final tightening must be car-
ried out under unladen condition* with tires on ground.
Oil will shorten the life of rubber bushes. Be sure to wipe
off any spilled oil.
*: Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack,
hand tools and mats in designated positions.
+After installing removed suspension parts, check wheel
alignment and adjust if necessary.
+Use flare nut wrench when removing or installing brake
tubes.
+Always torque brake lines when installing.
+Lock nuts are unreusable parts; always use new ones.
When replacing, do not wipe the oil off the new lock nut
before tightening.
Preparation
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLSNJSU0002
Tool number
Tool nameDescription
HT72520000
Ball joint remover
NT146
Removing tie-rod outer end and lower ball joint
COMMERCIAL SERVICE TOOLSNJSU0003
Tool name Description
Attachment Wheel align-
ment
NT148
Measure wheel alignment
a: Screw M24 x 1.5 pitch
b: 35 mm (1.38 in) dia.
c: 65 mm (2.56 in) dia.
d: 56 mm (2.20 in)
e: 12 mm (0.47 in)
1 Flare nut crowfoot
2 Torque wrench
NT360
Removing and installing each brake piping
a: 10 mm (0.39 in)
FRONT SUSPENSION
Precautions
SU-2

Tool name Description
Spring compressor
NT717
Removing and installing coil spring
FRONT SUSPENSION
Preparation (Cont'd)
SU-3

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Troubleshooting
=NJSU0004NVH TROUBLESHOOTING CHARTNJSU0004S01Use the chart below to help you find the cause of the symptom. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
Reference page
SU-5, 17
SU-10, 21
Ð
Ð
Ð
SU-9, 20
SU-7
SU-11
SU-7
Ð
Ð
Ð
Ð
Ð
Ð
AX-3
AX-3
Refer to SUSPENSION
in this chart.
Refer to TIRES
in this chart.
Refer to ROAD WHEEL
in this chart.
BR-7
ST-5
Possible Cause
and SUSPECTED
PA R T S
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
Out-of-round
Imbalance
Incorrect air pressure
Uneven tire wear
Deformation or damage
Non-uniformity
Incorrect tire size
DRIVE SHAFT
AXLE
SUSPENSION
TIRES
ROAD WHEEL
BRAKES
STEERING Symptom
SUSPENSION
Noise´ ´ ´´´´ ´´ ´ ´ ´´
Shake´ ´ ´´ ´ ´´ ´ ´ ´´
Vibration´ ´ ´´´ ´´ ´ ´
Shimmy´´´´ ´ ´ ´ ´´´
Judder´´´ ´ ´ ´´´
Poor quality
ride or han-
dling´ ´ ´´´ ´´ ´ ´ ´
TIRES
Noise´ ´´´´´´ ´´ ´ ´ ´´
Shake´ ´´´´´ ´´´ ´ ´ ´´
Vibration´ ´´´ ´ ´
Shimmy´ ´´´´´´´ ´ ´ ´ ´´
Judder´ ´´´´´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´´
Poor quality
ride or han-
dling´ ´´´´´ ´ ´ ´ ´
ROAD WHEEL
Noise´ ´´´´´´´´´
Shake´ ´´´´´´´´´
Shimmy,
Judder´´´´´´´´´
Poor quality
ride or han-
dling´´´´´´´
´: Applicable
FRONT SUSPENSION
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) Troubleshooting
SU-4