Steering/Susp - Noise From Hydraulic Electric Power Steering
Classification:ST12-009
Reference:
NTB13-017
Date:
February 26, 2013
2013 ALTIMA WITH QR25 ENGINE; NOISE FROM THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (H-EPS)
APPLIED VEHICLES:
2013 Altima (L33) with QR25 (4 cylinder) engine
IF YOU CONFIRM
The customer is experiencing a noise coming from the passenger side engine compartment,
and
The source of the noise is confirmed to be the Hydraulic Electric Power Steering (H-EPS),
and
The noise is louder than the normal operational noise of the H-EPS.
NOTE:
^ The 2013 Nissan Altima is equipped with Hydraulic Electric Power Steering (H-EPS). This system uses an electric motor to drive a pump rather than relying on a conventional belt-driven pump. You may hear some normal operational noise from the front of the vehicle generated by the H-EPS when the steering wheel is operated.
^ Comparing the incident vehicle to a "known good vehicle will help determine if the H-EPS noise is louder than normal.
ACTION
Perform the Service Procedure in this bulletin.
IMPORTANT:
The purpose of ACTION (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire Service Procedure as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.
PARTS INFORMATION
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Part (PP) type line claim using the claims coding:
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Check the Hydraulic Electric Power Steering (H-EPS) fluid level.
^ Check fluid level with the ignition OFF and fluid temperature between Go - 30°C (32 - 86°F).
^ Power steering fluid level should be within the hatching area of the indicator on the power steering reservoir tank cap.
^ If fluid is needed, use only genuine NISSAN E-PSF or equivalent.
2. Make sure right front hood ledge
^ seal is installed correctly.
^ Install seal correctly, or
^ If damaged, replace seal, or If missing, install a seal.
3. Make sure there is no binding on the H-EPS pump mounting isolator as follows:
a. Loosen the 4 H-EPS pump mounting bolts.
b. Move the H-EPS pump a small amount from side to side.
c. Tighten the mounting bolts.
Torque to:
13.5 N.m (1.4 kg-m, 10 ft-lb)
4. Make sure the H-EPS pump felt cover is installed correctly.
^ Install felt cover correctly, or
^ If damaged, replace felt cover, or If missing, install a felt cover.
5. Make sure the H-EPS high pressure line and the A/C low pressure line are not touching (see Figure 5).
^ Check the 2 locations circled in Figure 5.
^ If the lines are touching, reposition the lines so they are not touching.
6. Make sure the H-EPS high pressure line is not touching the coolant reservoir (see Figure 5).
If touching:
^ Make sure the coolant reservoir is mounted correctly (locator boss must be seated in mounting hole).
^ If needed, reposition the H-EPS line so it is not touching the reservoir.
7. Make sure the A/C low pressure line is not touching the H-EPS pump.
^ Check the location circled in Figure 6.
^ If needed, reposition the A/C low pressure line so it is not touching the H-EPS pump.
8. Make sure the A/C high pressure line is not touching the H-EPS pump.
^ Check the location circled in Figure 7.
^ Wiggle the H-EPS pump and observe the A/C high pressure line. If it moves it is touching.
^ If needed, reposition the A/C high pressure line so it is not touching the H-EPS pump.
9. Make sure the H-EPS high pressure line is not touching the strut tower brace or the torque rod mounting bracket.
^ Check the two locations circled in Figure 8.
^ If needed, reposition the H-EPS high pressure line so it is not touching.
10. Check the H-EPS high pressure line retaining clamp shown in Figure 9.
^ Make sure the clamp is secured correctly.
^ Figure 9 shows a clamp that is not secured correctly.
^ If the clamp is loose like the one shown in Figure 9, replace the H-EPS high pressure line.
^ Refer to the Service Manual for replacement information.
11. Make sure the anti-rotation leg of H-EPS strut bracket is flush to the bottom of the torque rod mounting bracket (see Figure 10).
^ If needed, reposition the H-EPS strut bracket so the anti-rotation leg is flush to bottom of the torque rod mounting bracket.
12. Make sure the H-EPS strut bracket and the H-EPS tube bracket are not touching (see Figure 10).
^ There should be a gap between them all the way around.
^ Make sure the rubber insulators are seated properly.
^ If needed, reposition the brackets so they are not touching.
13. Use a torque wrench to check the torque on the 3 H-EPS bracket nuts circled in Figure 10.
^ Torque specification: 4.9 N.m (0.49 kg-m, 3.6 ft-lb, 43 in-lb).
14. Make sure the H-EPS high pressure line is not touching the A/C line or vehicle body.
^ Check the area circled in Figure 11.
^ If needed, reposition the lines so they are not touching.
^ If needed, reposition the H-EPS line so it is not touching the vehicle body.
NOTE:
The view is Figure 11 is downward from the inboard side of the passenger side strut tower.
15. Make sure the noise insulator is installed inside the RH (passenger side) front fender protector:
a. Remove passenger side front wheel.
b. Partially remove the fender protector.
^ Refer to the Service Manual as needed.
c. Confirm the insulator is in place.
^ Make sure the insulator is installed correctly, or
^ If damaged or missing, replace the fender protector with insulator.
16. Make sure the baffle is positioned properly inside the RH (passenger side) front fender.
^ The baffle should be flush against the fender.
^ When the fender protector is installed there should be no gap between the fender protector and the baffle.
^ If needed, reposition the baffle or install a new one.
^ Figure 14 - baffle is installed correctly.
^ Figure 15 - example of a baffle installed incorrectly.
17. Make sure the H-EPS low pressure line is not touching the sub-frame near the front of the engine.
^ If needed, reposition the H-EPS low pressure line so it does not touch the sub-frame.
18. Make sure the H-EPS lines under the vehicle are not touching surrounding parts.
a. Lift the vehicle.
b. Visually check the routing of the under-vehicle H-EPS lines.
^ If needed, reposition the H-EPS lines so they are not touching any surrounding parts.
NOTE:
When reinstalling the right front wheel, torque the lug nuts to:
113 N.m (12kg-m, 83 ft-lb).
Disclaimer