Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Instruction — part 41

Rear Suspension

165

Checking the rear control arm outer pivot bolt for

security.

(5) Loose or worn control arm bushes or pivot

bolts: Check and tighten or renew the worn compo-
nents.

NOTE: Check the serviceability of the sus-
pension units, control arm bushes and pivot
bolts as previously described.

If incorrect rear wheel alignment is sus-

pected, it is recommended that the vehicle be
taken to a wheel alignment specialist or a
Nissan dealer to be checked and if necessary
adjusted.

Visually inspect the stabilizer bar for

damage.

2. DESCRIPTION

The independent type rear suspension consists of

a suspension unit, a knuckle assembly which incorpo-
rates the stub axle, inboard control arms and a
stabilizer bar.

The suspension unit consists of a sealed, oil filled

shock absorber, enclosed at the upper end by a coil
spring on which an upper mounting assembly is
located and attached to the body.

The shock absorber piston rod is attached to the

centre of the suspension unit upper mounting assem-
bly.

The lower end of the suspension unit is attached

to the knuckle assembly to which the brake caliper
and/or the brake backing plate is mounted.

The control arms are attached to the knuckle

assembly at the outer end, and the crossmember at the
inner end.

The stabilizer bar is attached to the knuckle

assembly and mounted to the underbody. As well as
reducing body roll when cornering it also secures the
knuckle assembly, preventing fore and aft movement.

Adjustment of the toe out is provided by a

graduated cam mounted on the rear control arm inner
pivot bolt. Each graduation on the cam is equivalent
to 2 mm adjustment.

Camber is set in production and cannot be

adjusted. If the camber is not within Specifications,
inspect the suspension components and renew the
damaged or worn components as necessary.

Installed view of the rear suspension.

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Rear Suspension

3. REAR HUB

Special Equipment Required

To Check Hub Bearing End Float — Dial gauge
To Renew Bearing — Press and suitable drift

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

(1) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it

on chassis stands. Remove the rear wheel and release
the handbrake.

(2) On models with rear drum brakes, proceed

to operation (6).

(3) Remove the clip securing the brake hose to

the suspension unit and disengage the hose.

(4) Remove the bolts securing the brake caliper

to the knuckle assembly.

(5) Slide the caliper from the disc and support it

away from the working area, ensuring that no excess
strain is placed on the brake hose.

(6) Rotate the hub and check that it rotates

smoothly. If it does not rotate smoothly, renew the
hub bearing.

(7) Mount a dial gauge with the plunger posi-

tioned against the outer face of the hub. Move the hub
back and forth in line with the stub axle and note the
reading on the dial gauge. If the end float exceeds
Specifications, renew the hub bearing.

(8) Remove the hub grease cap from the rear

hub.

(9) Remove the split pin from the stub axle and

remove the nut retainer, the hub retaining nut and
washer. Remove the hub assembly from the stub axle.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Tighten the hub retaining nut to the specified

torque.

(2) Check the hub bearing end float as previ-

ously described.

(3) On models with disc brakes, install the brake

caliper and tighten the retaining bolts to the torque
specified in the Brakes section. Install the brake hose to
the suspension unit and secure with the retaining clip.

TO RENEW BEARING

(1) Remove the rear hub as previously de-

scribed.

(2) Remove the snap ring from the rear of the

hub assembly.

(3) Support the rear of the hub around the

bearing housing, ensuring that the bearing will not be
obstructed when being pressed out.

(4) Using a suitable drift, press the bearing out

of the hub.

Dismantled view of the rear hub assembly. Drum brake

model.

Tightening the hub retaining nut with a torque wrench.

Dismantled view of the rear hub assembly. Disc brake

model.

Rear Suspension

167

NOTE: When a wheel bearing has been
removed from the hub it must be renewed.

(5) Press the new bearing into the hub, ensuring

that pressure is not exerted on the inner race of the
bearing and that the bearing seal is not damaged. Do
not apply grease or oil to the mating surfaces of the
bearing and the hub.

NOTE: When installing the new bearing,
the press load must not exceed 3 tonnes.

(6) Inspect the snap ring for wear or cracks and

renew as necessary. Install the snap ring into the hub
ensuring that it is securely located in the groove.

(7) Apply multi-purpose grease to the bearing

sealing lip and install the hub as previously described.

4. SUSPENSION UNIT

Special Equipment Required:

To Dismantle — Spring compressor

TO REMOVE AND DISMANTLE

(1) On hatchback models, remove the rear par-

cel shelf and lower the rear seat backrests. Remove the
parcel shelf side panel retaining screws and remove
the relevant side panel.

(2) On sedan models, prise out the parcel shelf

retaining buttons using a suitable instrument and
withdraw the parcel shelf from the vehicle. If the rear
radio speakers are installed, remove the speaker grille
retaining screws and separate the speaker grilles from
the speakers prior to withdrawing the parcel shelf
from the vehicle.

(3) Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it

on chassis stands as described in the Wheels and Tires
section. Remove the rear wheel from the vehicle.

View of the suspension unit with the spring compres-

sors installed.

(4) Remove the clip securing the brake hose to

the suspension unit and disengage the hose from the
suspension unit.

(5) Support the weight of the knuckle assembly

and remove the bolts and nuts securing the suspension
unit to the knuckle assembly.

(6) Remove the nuts securing the suspension

unit to the body panel and maneuver the suspension
unit from the vehicle.

(7) Thoroughly clean the suspension unit and

secure it in a soft jawed vice.

(8) Remove the dust cap from the upper mount-

ing and while holding the end of the piston rod with
an adjustable spanner, loosen the upper mounting
retaining nut. Do not remove the retaining nut.

(9) Using a suitable spring compressor, com-

press the coil spring and remove the upper mounting
retaining nut and washer.

(10) Remove the upper mounting, insulator and

spring seat from the suspension unit.

(11) Withdraw the upper insulator, coil spring,

lower insulator and dust cover from the suspension
unit.

(12) Check the coil spring for cracks, deformation

and damage. Compare the free length with a new coil
spring and renew as necessary.

Location of the suspension unit retaining nuts. Hatch-

back model.

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Rear Suspension

NOTE: If a coil spring is defective it is
advisable to renew both coil springs as a
matched set.

(13) Check the spring seat for cracks, deforma-

tion or wear and renew as necessary.

(14) Check the upper mounting and the insulator

for wear, damage, signs of melting rubber or deterio-
ration.

(15) Check that the piston rod is not cracked,

bent or damaged.

Dismantled view of the suspension unit.

(16) Check the hydraulic operation of the suspen-

sion unit. With the suspension unit vertical, move the
piston rod up and down several times. A firm pressure
with no slack spots should be evident in both direc-
tions. Also check the suspension unit for fluid leakage.
If fluid leakage is present, renew the suspension unit,
preferably in pairs.

TO ASSEMBLE AND INSTAL

Assembly is a reversal of the dismantling proce-

dure with attention to the following points:

(1) Install the coil spring and lower insulator to

the suspension unit ensuring that the flat end of the
spring is positioned at the top and the lower end of the
spring is located correctly in the suspension unit.

(2) Install the remaining components to the sus-

pension unit, ensuring that the arrow on the spring
seat will be facing the stub axle when installed.

(3) Install a new upper mounting retaining nut,

tighten to the specified torque and remove the spring
compressor.

(4) Position the suspension unit inside the rear

wheel housing and maneuver the mounting studs
into position. With the aid of an assistant, install the
suspension unit retaining nuts and tighten to the
specified torque.

View of the suspension unit removed from the vehicle.

(5) Install the bolts securing the suspension unit

to the knuckle assembly and tighten the nuts to the
specified torque.

(6) Install the brake hose to the suspension unit

and secure with the retaining clip.

(7) Install the rear wheel and lower the vehicle to

the ground.

(8) On hatchback models, install the parcel shelf

side panel and the parcel shelf.

(9) On sedan models, install the parcel shelf and

insert the retaining buttons firmly. If removed, install
the radio speaker grilles.