4WD Steering Gear - Removal and Installation
88nissan07Classification: Section:
ST88-004 Steering
Reference:
TECHNICAL BULLETIN TS88-116
Models:
1986-1988 Stanza Wagon (4WD)
Date:
September 8, 1988
STANZA WAGON 4WD STEERING GEAR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SERVICE INFORMATION
This Technical Bulletin contains the steering gear removal and installation procedures for 1986-1988 4WD Stanza Wagons.
REMOVAL PROCEDURE:
1. Allow vehicle to cool before beginning procedure.
2. Write down radio presets, then disconnect negative cable from battery terminal.
3. Place ignition in "Accessory" position to allow wheels and steering rack to move freely.
4. Remove carbon canister by pulling vent line from frame rail and removing retaining spring around canister.
5. Remove upper bolt on the driver's side steering gear clamp. Space is limited. Use a 17 mm short socket, 1" extension, and ratchet.
6. Disconnect steering shaft lower joint, 12 mm bolt.
FIGURE 1:
7. Raise vehicle about halfway up on hoist being certain to use the appropriate lifting points (Figure 1).
FIGURE 2:
8. Remove both front wheels.
9. Disconnect both tie rod ends from knuckle arms, using the appropriate separating tool (Figure 2).
FIGURE 3:
10. Place drain pan under steering gear. Remove the pressure and return lines at the pinion housing by reaching through the opening in the driver's side inner fender panel (Figure 3). For the pressure line, use a 14 mm crowfoot wrench and long extension. The return line requires an 8 mm wrench, short extension and ratchet.
FIGURE 4:
11. Raise vehicle all the way up on hoist.
12. Remove left stabilizer link and gusset (Figure 4). Push gusset/A-arm assembly forward and out of the way.
13. For M/T vehicles, disconnect transmission linkage on transaxle. This can be done after moving clamp (on the left wall of the floor tunnel) rearward.
14. Remove exhaust pipe at the front end of the catalytic converter.
15. Put match marks on flanges and separate the propeller shaft at the transfer case flange.
FIGURE 5:
16. Place transmission jack under rear of transfer case (Figure 5). Remove the 3 body side bolts on transfer case rear mount. Lower jack slowly 4 to 5 inches.
NOTE: Be careful not to lower unit more than 5 inches. This may over-stretch electrical harnesses and cooling hoses.
17. Remove the remaining 17 mm steering gear clamp bolts and clamps.
18. Slide rack assembly to passenger side and rotate until pinion housing is facing down (180~ rotation).
FIGURE 6:
19. Slide rack out to driver's side by pulling left tie rod under the frame rail and sliding the assembly out in that direction (Figure 6).
FIGURE 7:
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE:
1. Adjust "L" dimension on both tie rods. Tie rod "L" length is 174.7 mm
(6.8 in) (Figure 7).
2. Slide rack into place as it was removed. Be careful not to bend lines or damage boots. Place right and left steering gear clamps on rack before moving into final position.
3. Hand tighten the 2 bolts on the right steering gear clamp.
FIGURE 8:
4. Align mark on pinion gear cap and slit in lower joint (Figure 8), then push steering gear up into lower joint and reinstall pinch bolt.
5. Reinstall left clamp lower bolt and hand tighten. Then torque right clamp bolts and left lower clamp bolt to 54-72 ft/lbs.
6. Replace O-ring (soak with ATF before installation) on high pressure line. Reinstall high pressure and return lines. Tighten fittings finger tight first, then torque to 11-18 ft/lbs.
7. Raise transfer case with jack and reinstall the 3 body side bolts on the transfer case rear mount. Torque to 22-30 ft/lbs.
8. Align match marks on transfer case flange and propeller shaft, then reinstall propeller shaft onto transfer case flange. Torque bolts to 25-33 ft/lbs.
9. Reconnect exhaust flange to catalytic converter.
10. Reinstall left control arm/gusset assembly and torque bolts to 87-108 ft/lbs.
NOTE: The 2 long bolts go to the front of the control arm assembly.
11. Lower vehicle to halfway point. Reconnect both tie rod ends to knuckle arms and torque to 22-29 ft/lbs.
12. Install both front wheels and torque wheel nuts to 72-87 ft/lbs.
13. Lower vehicle until wheels are just above the floor. Reinstall left steering gear clamp upper 17 mm bolt and torque to 54-72 ft/lbs.
14. Reinstall carbon canister and reconnect negative cable to battery terminal.
15. Fill reservoir with Genuine Nissan ATF and bleed system as follows:
a. With engine off, turn steering wheel from right lock to left lock fifteen to twenty times or until fluid level in reservoir stops dropping and air bubbles no longer appear in fluid. Be sure to add fluid to reservoir during this process to maintain proper fluid level.
b. Start engine and let it idle for one minute. Rev engine under no load two or three times.
c. With engine idling, turn the steering wheel from right lock to left lock seven to eight times or until fluid level in reservoir stops dropping and there are no more air bubbles in the fluid. If necessary, fill reservoir to proper fluid level.
CAUTION: Do not hold steering wheel against right or left lock for more than 15 seconds while bleeding.
16. Lower vehicle and remove lifting arms. Drive vehicle to verify steering wheel angle. Mark steering wheel position while driving the vehicle straight ahead.
17. Reset front toe and steering wheel angle at tie rod ends using an alignment rack.
18. Reset radio presets.