Disassembly and Assembly

Disassembly





1. Prior to disassembling, measure pinion rotating torque. Record the pinion rotating torque as a reference.
^ Before measuring, disconnect gear housing tube and drain fluid.
^ Use soft jaws when holding steering gear housing. Handle gear housing carefully, as it is made of aluminum. Do not grip cylinder in a vise.
2. Remove gear sub-assembly and O-ring.
Gear sub-assembly cannot be disassembled. If it is faulty, replace with a new one.
3. Remove tie-rod outer sockets and boots.
4. Loosen tie-rod inner socket by prying up staked portion, and remove socket.





5. Remove retainer.
6. Use a 2 to 2.5 mm (0.079 to 0.098 inch) diameter drill to completely remove staked portion of gear housing end.





7. Remove end cover assembly with a suitable tool.
8. Draw out rack assembly.
9. Remove rack seal ring.
- Using a heat gun, heat rack seal to approximately 40° C (104° F).
- Remove rack seal ring.
Be careful not to damage rack.





10. Remove rack oil seal using tape wrapped socket and extension bar.
Do not scratch inner surfaces of pinion housing.

Inspection
Thoroughly clean all parts in cleaning solvent or Genuine NISSAN PSF II or equivalent. Blow dry with compressed air, if available.

BOOT
- Check condition of boot. If cracked excessively, replace it.
- Check boots for accumulation of power steering fluid.

RACK
Thoroughly examine rack gear. If damaged, cracked or worn, replace it.

GEAR SUB-ASSEMBLY
- Check pinion gear. If it is worn or damaged, replace as a gear sub-assembly.
- Manually spin bearing. If torque variations or free play are noted, replace as a gear sub-assembly.

GEAR HOUSING CYLINDER
Check gear housing cylinder bore for scratches or other damage Replace if necessary.

TIE-ROD OUTER AND INNER SOCKETS





- Check ball joints for swinging force.
Tie-rod outer and inner ball joints swinging force "A": Refer to Ball Joint, Lower; Specifications; Mechanical.
- Check ball joint for rotating torque.
Tie-rod outer ball joint rotating torque "B": Refer to Ball Joint, Lower; Specifications; Mechanical.
- Check ball joints for axial end play.
Tie-rod outer and inner ball joints axial end play "C": Refer to Ball Joint, Lower; Specifications; Mechanical.
- Check condition of dust cover. If cracked excessively, replace outer tie-rod.

Assembly





1. Using a heat gun, heat new teflon rack seal ring to approximately 40° C (104° F). Then place it onto rack.





2. Using Tool, compress rack seal ring securely onto rack. Always insert Tool from the rack gear side.





3. Insert new rack oil seal.
- Place plastic film into rack oil seal to prevent damage by rack teeth.
- Do not forget to remove plastic film after rack oil seal is positioned properly.
- Make sure lips of rack oil seal face each other.





4. Install rack oil seal with rack assembly.





5. Insert rack oil seal and end cover assembly to rack. Then tighten end cover assembly.





6. Fasten end cover assembly to gear housing by staking.





7. Set rack gear in neutral position.
Rack stroke "S": Refer to Steering Gear; Specifications; Mechanical.





8. Install O-rings to gear sub-assembly.
- Discard old O-rings; replace with new ones.
9. Tighten gear subassembly securing bolts to specified tightening torque.





10. Ensure that the rack is centered. Install rear cover cap so that its protrusion is positioned as shown in figure.
11. Install retainer, spring and adjusting screw temporarily.
12. Apply a coat of locking sealant to inner socket threads. Screw inner socket into rack and tighten to specified torque.





13. Tighten outer socket lock nut.
Tie-rod length "L": Refer to Tie Rod; Specifications; Mechanical.





14. Measure rack stroke.
Rack stroke "S": Refer to Steering Gear; Specifications; Mechanical.





15. Before installing boot, coat the contact surfaces between boot and tie-rod with grease.
16. Install boot clamps.





- To install, wrap boot clamp around boot groove twice. To tighten clamp, place a screwdriver through both rings. Twist rings 4 to 4-1/2 turns while pulling with a force of approximately 98 N (10 kg, 22 lbs.).





- Twist boot clamp in the direction shown in figure.





- After twisting boot clamp, bend and twist it diagonally so it does not contact boot.