Removal and Installation

REMOVAL 

1. Remove hole cover. Refer to Exploded View (with Direct Adaptive Steering System) or Exploded View (without Direct Adaptive Steering System).
2. Remove pinch bolt and separate lower joint from steering gear. Refer to Exploded View (with Direct Adaptive Steering System) or Exploded View (without Direct Adaptive Steering System).
3. Remove the core support cover. Refer to Exploded View .
4. Support the radiator and condenser using a suitable tool.
5. Remove nuts and disconnect stabilizer connecting rods from front strut and coil spring. Refer to Exploded View .
6. Remove cotter pin from outer socket. Refer to Exploded View (with Direct Adaptive Steering System) or Exploded View (without Direct Adaptive Steering System).
   CAUTION:

   Do not reuse cotter pin.

7. Loosen outer socket nut and separate outer socket from steering knuckle using suitable tool.
   CAUTION:

   Leave the outer socket nut half threaded on the outer socket to prevent damage to threads and to prevent the suitable tool from coming off suddenly.

8. Remove outer socket nut and separate outer socket from steering knuckle. Refer to Exploded View (with Direct Adaptive Steering System) or Exploded View (without Direct Adaptive Steering System).
9. Remove pinch bolt and nut and separate transverse link from steering knuckle (LH/RH). Refer to Exploded View .
10. Remove the engine under cover. Refer to Removal and Installation .
11. Partially remove the front fender protectors. Refer to Removal and Installation .
12. Disconnect the harness connectors from the steering gear.
13. Remove the bolts (B) securing the harness (C) to the front suspension member (with Direct Adaptive Steering System).

    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    	: Clip
    	: Vehicle front

14. Remove the bolts (A) for the ground cables (with Direct Adaptive Steering System).
15. Unbolt front exhaust tube mount from Front suspension member.
16. Remove the rear torque rod. Refer to Exploded View .
17. Set suitable jack (A) or equivalent tool under front suspension member (1).

    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

18. Remove front suspension member bolts.
19. Slowly lower hydraulic lift table (or equivalent tool) to remove the front suspension member from the vehicle.
20. Remove transverse links [LH/RH (if necessary)]. Refer to Exploded View .
21. Remove steering gear (if necessary). Refer to Exploded View (with Direct Adaptive Steering System) or Exploded View (without Direct Adaptive Steering System).
22. Remove stabilizer bar connecting rods and stabilizer bar (if necessary). Refer to Exploded View .
23. Perform inspection after removal. Refer to Inspection .

INSTALLATION 

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

• Install the suspension member bolts in the order shown in the illustration.
  Fig 1: Suspension Member Bolt Tightening Sequence

  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  Bolts 1, 2, 5, 6	: 148 N.m (15 kg-m, 109 ft-lb)
  Bolts 3-4	: 110 N.m (11 kg-m, 81 ft-lb)
  Bolts 7, 8	: 97.5 N.m (9.9 kg-m, 72 ft-lb)

• When installing steering gear (3) and front suspension member assembly to vehicle, be sure to align inner guide so that the white edge (2) is visible through dash panel (1). If inner guide is not properly aligned, re-adjust by hand until aligned properly.

  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Perform final tightening of installation position between front suspension member and transverse links (rubber bushing) under unladen condition with tires on level ground.
• After installation, perform final tightening of each part under unladen conditions with tires on ground.
• Perform inspection after installation. Refer to Inspection .
• For models with direct adaptive steering perform the following steps.
  • Align rear cap projection (A) of steering gear (2) in lower joint (1) as shown in the illustration.

    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  • Hand-tighten pinch bolts, then torque to specification.
  • On the CONSULT screen, select "EPS/DAST 3" >> "DATA MONITOR" >> "ST ANGLE SENSOR", and then check that the value is within specifications.

    Monitor item	Condition	Standard value
    ST ANGLE SENSOR	Vehicle: Straight-ahead position	ST ANGLE SENSOR ≤ ± 10 °

  • If the value is outside specifications perform the following steps.
    • Remove hole cover.
    • Make a matching mark on the lower joint and the steering gear.
    • Remove the pinch bolt and separate the lower joint from the steering gear.
    • While watching the CONSULT screen, rotate the steering wheel one full turn in the direction that brings the value within specification.
      CAUTION:

      Do not move steering gear while lower joint is separated from steering gear.

      NOTE: If initial direction of rotation brings the value further out of specification, rotate in the opposite direction.
    • Install lower joint to steering gear and install pinch bolt.
    • Install hole cover.
  • Perform "ADDITIONAL SERVICE WHEN REMOVING OR REPLACING DAST PARTS". Refer to Special Repair Requirement .