MAXIMA STEERING PULL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR

Transcription

1 Classification: Reference: Date: ST NTB October 6, 1992 MAXIMA STEERING PULL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR This amended version of NTB updates information concerning the applied vehicles. Please discard NTB APPLIED VEHICLE(S): Maxima (J30) SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin will assist Service Advisors and Technicians in identifying the resolving complaints of steering pull on Maxima vehicles. Service Advisors should be familiar with and able to identify the three (3) types of incidents which customers may describe as "steering pull": 1. Steering wheel off-center The steering wheel is not in the straight ahead position when driving on a straight, flat road. 2. Wander The vehicle wanders right and left, depending on road surface conditions. 3. Pull Consistent pull to one side on a straight, flat road while maintaining a constant speed. The factors which influence pulling, wander and wheel off-center are highlighted in the chart below: Incident Steering wheel off-center Wander Pull Influencing Factors Alignment Alignment Steering rack friction Consistent pull to one side on a straight, flat road while maintaining a constant speed. Please note that diagnostic flowcharts for each of the incidents are included at the end of this bulletin. An overview of the adjustable steering/suspension angles is also provided at the end of this bulletin. 1/10

2 SERVICE PROCEDURE The following diagnostic procedure is for all steering pull incidents. Refer to the flow charts at the end of this bulletin for specific incident complaints. Basic Diagnostic Procedure 1. Verify the incident by road testing the vehicle (with the customer, if possible). Check the tire pressure and correct if necessary. Check for any unusual loading of the vehicle or use of non-original equipment tires which may cause the incident. 2. If the vehicle exhibits consistent pull to one side, exchange the left and right front tires. If this does not resolve the incident, or if the road test indicates wander or steering wheel off-center, continue to step Check the wheel alignment on a four-wheel alignment rack (Hunter D111, or equivalent). Adjust the alignment if it's out of specification, and road test vehicle (see vehicle summary of adjustable suspension/steering angles). If the alignment was originally within specification or was adjusted into specification but the incident still exists, continue to Step 4 on the following page. Maxima (J30) FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Unladen *) Camber degree -1 o 00 to 30' Caster degree 30' -2 o 00' Toe-in A - B mm (in) 1-3( ) Total angle 2θ degree 6' - 16' Wheel turning angle (Full turn) Inside Outside degree 35 o - 39 o 28 o - 32 o * Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions. REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Unladen *) Camber degree -1 o 20 to 10 Toe-in A - B mm (in) -3 to -1( ) Total angle 2θ degree -15 to -5 * Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions. 2/10

3 4. Adjust the steering rack friction. a. Mark the original position of the adjusting screw and lock nut relative to the steering rack housing as follows: b. Loosen the lock nut with a 38 mm wrench while preventing the adjusting screw from turning. c. Carefully tighten the adjusting screw (clockwise) the following amount. 20 degrees (approx. 1/16 turn) d. Tighten the lock nut to foot-pounds torque while preventing the adjusting screw from turning. e. Verify the effectiveness with a road test. Note: If the adjusting screw is over-tightened, the steering wheel "return to center" will be affected. Check steering wheel "return to center" after turns to ensure adjusting screw is tightened correctly before returning the vehicle to the customer. f. If the incident isn't resolved, continue to step 5. 3/10

4 5. Nissan has identified a pulling incident unique to some Bridgestone SF-406 Steel All- Season radial tires 205/65R15 equipped on the applied model. This pulling condition is called "residual cornering force," and causes the vehicle to pull consistently in only one direction (left or right). This occurs on Maximas built before April 24, 1990 (JN1HJ01P**T420988) that pull to the right. and Maximas built after April 24, 1990 (JN1HJ01P420988) that pull to the left. a. Replace all four (4) Bridgestone SF-406 Steel All Season Radial Tires 205/65R15 with countermeasure Bridgestone SF-406 Steel All Season Radial Tires 205/65R15. Counter Part Number BS205-65R15CM Former Part Number BS205-65R15 The countermeasure tires can be identified in two ways: Tire Dot Identification Color Line on Tread Countermeasure EM9L DAC*** Brown Before Countermeasure EM9L JNE*** EM9L CBB*** Brown & White b. Drive vehicle on a long, flat straight road section again to determine if the incident is resolved. If it is not resolved, determine the direction of the drift (left or right). c. If the incident is resolved, return the vehicle to the customer. If it is not resolved, call FIXS Hotline for further assistance REFER TO DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE SUMMARY (PAGE 5) Special Tool Information A special tool is available through Kent-Moore (PN J39603) which will assist in loosening and tightening of the lock nut on front drive vehicles, as clearance is limited. The Kent- Moore toll free number is /10

5 Diagnostic Procedure Summary Step Action 1) Verify the incident by road test with customer Incident Consistent pull to one side Wanders to right and left (depending on road surface conditions) Steering wheel off center may Check tire pressure and correct if necessary. Check for any unusual loading of the vehicle or use of non-original equipment tires which cause the incident. 2) Exchange the front tires left and right Fixed Not fixed 3) Check wheel alignment Within specification Out of specification: Replace damaged/worn components, Adjust toe to specification Fixed Not Fixed 4) Adjust steering rack friction Mark the original position of the adjusting screw and lock nut relative to the steering rack housing. Loosen the lock nut while preventing the adjusting screw from turning (may require a special tool shown at the end of this bulletin). Tighten the adjusting screw clockwise the following amount: 20 degrees Tighten the lock nut to foot-pounds torque while preventing the adjusting screw from turning. Verify effectiveness with a road test. Fixed Not fixed 5) If vehicle is equipped with specified Bridgestone tires, replace with countermeasure Bridgestone tires. Fixed Not fixed 6) Calls FIXS hotline Next Step Step 2 Step 3 Step 3 End Step 3 Step 4 End Step 4 End Step 5 End Step 6 5/10

6 Adjustable Steering/Suspension Angles Front Rear Model Toe Camber Caster Toe Camber Maxima Y N N Y N Diagnostic Charts Overview 6/10

7 Chart A 7/10

8 Chart B 8/10

9 Chart C CLAIMS INFORMATION Only one "WZ" operation code may be used per Repair Order/Warranty Claim. Detailed warranty information for this incident is listed below: OPERATION OP CODE PNC CS CT FRT Steps 1 & 2 WZ01AA P hrs. Steps 1, 2, & 3 WZ02AA P hrs. Steps 1, 2, 3, & 4 WZ03AA P hrs. Steps 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 WZ04AA AA222 2P hrs. See summary on page 6 for definition of steps. 9/10

10 Warranty information for any subsequent repair procedures is listed below OPERATION OP CODE PNC CS CT FRT Steps 3 only *1 WZ05AA P hrs. Steps 4 only *2 WZ06AA P hrs. Steps 5 only *3 WZ07AA AA222 2P hrs. Steps 3 & 4 only *1 WZ08AA P hrs. Steps 3, 4, & 5 only *1 WZ09AA AA222 2P hrs. Steps 4 & 5 only *2 WZ10AA AA222 2P hrs. Note: *1 Steps 1 & 2 must be performed previously. *2 Steps 1, 2, & 3 must be performed previously. *3 Steps 1, 2, 3, & 4 must be performed previously. 10/10