Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Instruction — part 38

Steering — Part 3

153

TO CHECK FLUID LEVEL

Check the fluid level in the power steering reser-

voir when the fluid is cold.

If it is necessary to top up the fluid, fill to between

the arrow marks on the dipstick using the recom-
mended fluid.

NOTE: Do not overfill the reservoir.

Checking the power steering fluid level using the

dipstick incorporated in the cap.

TO CHECK FOR FLUID LEAKS

Using a suitable solvent, clean around all power

steering assemblies and hose fittings where fluid
leakage might occur and start the engine. Turn the
steering wheel from one steering lock to the other
several times and stop the engine. Check for leakage.
Where leakage is found at hose fittings, tighten and
recheck.

If the leak remains, renew the hoses or fittings as

required.

Where leakage is found in the steering gear

assembly or pump assembly, specialist attention is
necessary.

TO CHECK STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY

With the engine running and the steering wheel in

the straight ahead position, measure the free move-
ment of the steering wheel before the front wheels
move. This is specified as steering wheel free play and
if it exceeds Specifications, check for free play in the
steering linkages and the universal coupling joints. If
these components are satisfactory, it will be necessary
to remove the steering gear from the vehicle for
renewal or overhaul.

PUMP BELT TENSION

The procedure for adjusting the power steering

pump bell tension is described in the Engine Tune-up
section

TO PURGE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM
OF AIR

(1) Check that the pump reservoir is filled to the

correct mark on the dipstick.

(2) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it

on chassis stands.

(3) Turn the steering wheel quickly from lock to

lock several times, recheck the fluid level within the
pump reservoir and top up if required.

(4) Start the engine, allow it to idle and slowly

turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times.
Do not hold the steering at full lock for more than 15
seconds.

(5) Check the fluid level in the pump reservoir,

top up if necessary.

(6) If the fluid is aerated within the pump

reservoir or if pump noise persists, repeat operations
(3) to (6).

3. STEERING WHEEL

The procedure for removing and installing the

steering wheel is fully covered in the Instruction Steering
section under the above heading.

4. STEERING COLUMN

The procedure for removing, dismantling and

assembling the steering column is fully covered in the
Instruction Steering section under the above heading.

5. POWER STEERING PUMP

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

(1) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.

View of the power steering pump removed from the

vehicle.

154

Steering —

(2) Remove the air inlet duct from the air

cleaner and throttle body.

(3) Position a container or a piece of cloth

beneath the steering pump reservoir and disconnect
the fluid return and power steering pump supply hose
from the reservoir.

(4) Loosen the steering pump drive belt as

described in the Engine Tune-up section.

(5) Loosen the return hose clamp and the supply

union and disconnect the hoses from the power
steering pump. Plug the hoses to prevent the loss of
fluid.

(6) Loosen the retaining bolts and withdraw the

pump.

(7) Thoroughly clean the exterior of the steering

pump and inspect it for cracks, damage and signs of
leakage.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Install the pump and retaining bolts.
(2) Install the drive belt and adjust it as de-

scribed in the Engine Tune-up section.

(3) Install the hoses to the power steering pump

and tighten securely.

(4) Top up the pump reservoir and purge the

power steering system of air as previously described.

TO OVERHAUL

As specialist knowledge and equipment arc re-

quired to overhaul the power steering pump, it is
recommended that this operation be performed by an
authorized dealer or steering specialist.

6. POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY

Special Equipment Required:

To Renew Tie Rod Ball Housings — Large Still-

sons

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

The procedures for removing and installing the

power steering gear are similar to those carried out in
the Instruction Steering section under the Steering Gear
Assembly heading except for the following differences.

(1) Place a container under the pressure and

return pipes that are connected to the steering gear
valve housing. Remove the pipes and allow the fluid
to drain into the container.

(2) Suitably seal the pipes and the steering gear

to prevent the entry of dirt whilst the pipes are
removed.

(3) Upon removal of the power steering gear,

thoroughly clean the steering gear except the tie rod
ends in a suitable solvent. Be careful not to allow the
solvent to enter the apertures where the pressure and
return pipes were removed.

(4) Check the pipes and connections for cracks,

damage or obstructions and renew as necessary.

Installed view of the power steering gear with the

engine removed.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Install the pressure and return pipes to the

steering gear valve housing and tighten securely.

(2) Fill the power steering reservoir to the cor-

rect level and bleed the system as described previously
under the heading In Car Adjustments. Checks and
Minor Repairs.

(3) Check all power steering pipe connections

for leaks and repair as necessary.

(4) Check, and if necessary, adjust the front

wheel toe in as described in the Front Suspension
section. After adjustment ensure that the rubber boots
are not distorted or twisted and the rubber boot
clamps and clips are facing downward.

TO OVERHAUL

As specialist knowledge and equipment are re-

quired to overhaul the power steering gear, it is rec-
ommended that this operation be performed by an
authorized dealer or steering specialist.

TO RENEW TIE ROD BALL HOUSINGS

TRW Steering Gear

The renewal of the tie rod ball housings is the

same as for the instruction steering gear. Refer to Part 2.
Instruction Steering section.

PR24SA Steering Gear

(1) Remove the power steering gear assembly

from the vehicle as previously described.

(2) Carefully mount the power steering gear in a

vice equipped with soft jaws. Loosen the tie rod end
locknuts without disturbing the location of the tie rod
ends and unscrew the tie rod ends, taking note of the
number of turns required to remove them. Unscrew
and remove the locknuts from the tie rod.

(3) Remove the clamps from the rubber boots

and remove the boots.

Steering — Part 3

155

(4) Support the rack carefully and lever back the

tabs of the ball housing lock washers. To prevent
damage to the steering gear, avoid any impact to the
steering rack.

(5) Holding the rack with an adjustable spanner,

unscrew the ball housings from the rack using a
Stillsons wrench. Remove and discard the lock wash-
ers.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Install the new lock washer to the

rack,
ensuring that the lockwasher tangs are located in the
rack end.

(2) Install the ball housing assemblies to the rack.

Tighten the ball housings to the specified torque and
secure by bending the lock washer.

(3) Before installing the rubber boots ensure that

the vent holes, located towards each end of the rack
near the ball housings, are clear. If necessary clear the
hole with a suitable probe.

(4) Apply sealant to the large end of the rubber

boot and grease to the small end. and install the boots,
being careful not to damage or twist them. Secure the

boots with the clamps and clips ensuring that the clips
are facing downwards.

(5) Install the tie rod end locknuts and tie rod

ends to the tie rod. Install the tie rod ends the same
number of turns noted on removal. Tighten the lock-
nuts to the specified torque.

Install the power steering gear assembly to the

vehicle as described under the previous heading and
bleed the system as described under the heading In
Car Adjustments, Checks and Minor Repairs.

TO RENEW RUBBER BOOTS

The procedure to renew the rubber boots is fully

covered in the Instruction Steering section under the
Steering Gear Assembly heading.

TO RENEW TIE ROD ENDS

The procedure to renew the tie rod ends is fully

covered in the Instruction Steering section under the
Steering Gear Assembly heading.

156

FRONT SUSPENSION

SPECIFICATIONS

Type. . . . .. Independent MacPherson strut with

coil springs and control arms

Shock absorber . . . . ..Hydraulic, non-repairable

Hub bearing end float (maximum) . . . . 0.05 mm

Ball joint axial play (maximum). . . . . 0.7 mm

Ball joint turning torque (used). . . ...0.5-4.9 Nm

Wheel alignment:

Toe in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-2 mm

Camber . . . . . . . . . . - 0 ° 1 0 ' ± 4 5 '

Caster. . . . . . . . . . . ..1° 10' ± 45'

King pin inclination. . . . . . 13° 55' ± 45'

TORQUE WRENCH SETTINGS

Hub bearing nut. . . . . . . . . . 196-235 Nm

Suspension unit to steering knuckle nut . .. 118 Nm

Suspension unit to body nuts . . . . . . . 29 Nm

Piston rod nut . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 72 Nm

Brake caliper to steering knuckle bolts . . ...52 Nm

Ball joint to steering knuckle bolt. . . . ...86 Nm

Control arm bracket bolts . . . . . . . ...98 Nm

Control arm pivot bolt . . . . . . . . 118 Nm

Stabiliser bar link nuts. . . . . . . . . .44 Nm

Stabiliser bar bracket bolts. . . . . . . ..21 Nm

1. FRONT SUSPENSION TROUBLE

SHOOTING

FRONT END NOISE

(1) Loose upper suspension mounting or piston

rod: Tighten the mounting or piston rod nuts.

(2) Loose or worn suspension unit lower ball

joint: Tighten or renew the lower ball joint.

(3) Noise in the suspension unit: Renew the

faulty suspension unit, preferably in pairs.

(4) Worn or loose steering gear: Overhaul the

steering gear assembly.

(5) Worn front hub bearings: Renew the hub

bearings:

(6) Loose or defective stabilizer bar, control arm

or mountings: Check, tighten or renew the mounting
rubbers.

Check the ball joints for wear and deterioration.

(7) Worn stabilizer bar link ball joints: Renew

the stabilizer bar links.

(8) Drive shafts worn or insufficiently lubri-

cated: Check the lubricant and the dust boots and
renew as necessary.

(9)

Drive shaft splines in the hub or the

differential worn or damaged: Check and renew as
necessary.

NOTE: To check the front suspension com-
ponents for wear, raise the front of the
vehicle, support it on chassis stands and
allow both front wheel to hang free. With an
assistant pushing and pulling the front
wheels in and out at the top and then at the
bottom, check for excessive looseness at the
front hub bearings and lower control arm
inner pivot bushes. Noise or vibration in the
front end can also be caused by excessive
tire or wheel unbalance. Drive shaft joint
noise is usually more pronounced when
moving slowly with the steering on full lock.

POOR OR ERRATIC ROAD HOLDING

ABILITY

(1)

Low or uneven tire pressures: Inflate the

tires to the recommended pressures.

(2) Defective suspension unit: Renew the faulty

unit, preferably in pairs.