Always adjust the alignment with the vehicle on a flat surface.
NOTE:
If alignment is out of specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts before
making any adjustments.
1.

Check and adjust the wheel alignment with the vehicle under unladen conditions. “Unladen conditions”
means that the fuel, coolant, and lubricant are full; and that the spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats are in
their designated positions.

Check the tires for incorrect air pressure and excessive wear.

Check the wheels for run out and damage. Refer to

WT-46, "Inspection"

Check the wheel bearing axial end play. Refer to

FAX-5, "On-Vehicle Inspection and Service"

Check the shock absorbers for leaks or damage.

Check each mounting point of the suspension components for any excessive looseness or damage.

Check each link, arm, and the suspension member for any damage.

Check the vehicle height. Refer to

FSU-25, "Wheelarch Height (Unladen*1)"

GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A Four-Wheel Thrust Alignment should be performed.
• This type of alignment is recommended for any NISSAN vehicle.
• The four-wheel “thrust” process helps ensure that the vehicle is properly aligned and the steering wheel

is centered.

• The alignment machine itself should be capable of accepting any NISSAN vehicle.
• The alignment machine should be checked to ensure that it is level.

Suspension component torques

: Refer to

FSU-13,

"Component"

SMA525A

SFA392B

2009 Pathfinder

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

FSU-7

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

FSU

Make sure the alignment machine is properly calibrated.
• Your alignment machine should be regularly calibrated in order to give correct information.
• Check with the manufacturer of your specific alignment machine for their recommended Service/Cali-

bration Schedule.

THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS

IMPORTANT: Use only the alignment specifications listed in this Service Manual. Refer to

FSU-24, "Wheel

Alignment (Unladen*1)"

When displaying the alignment settings, many alignment machines use “indicators”: (Green/red, plus or
minus, Go/No Go). Do NOT use these indicators.
• The alignment specifications programmed into your alignment machine that operate these indicators

may not be correct.

• This may result in an ERROR.

Some newer alignment machines are equipped with an optional “Rolling Compensation” method to “com-
pensate” the sensors (alignment targets or head units). Do NOT use this “Rolling Compensation”
method.
• Use the “Jacking Compensation” method. After installing the alignment targets or head units, raise the

vehicle and rotate the wheels 1/2 turn both ways.

• See Instructions in the alignment machine you are using for more information.

CAMBER AND CASTER

Measure camber and caster of both the right and left wheels
with a suitable alignment gauge and adjust as necessary to
specification.

NOTE:
Some vehicles may be equipped with straight (non-adjustable)
lower link bolts and washers. In order to adjust camber and
caster on these vehicles, first replace the lower link bolts and
washers with adjustable (cam) bolts and washers.

If outside of the specified value, adjust camber and caster using
the adjusting bolts in the front lower link.

CAUTION:

After adjusting the camber then check the toe-in.
NOTE:
Camber changes about 3' (0.05

) minutes with each graduation

of one adjusting bolt. Refer to table below for examples of lower
link adjusting bolt effect on camber and caster.

Tighten the adjusting bolt nuts to specification. Refer to

FSU-13, "Component"

TOE-IN

Camber

: Refer to

FSU-24, "Wheel Alignment (Unlad-

en*1)"

SRA096A

WEIA0115E

Rear adjusting
bolt

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

Front adjusting
bolt

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

Camber
Degree minute
(Decimal degree)

0 (0)

7' (0.12

)

- 7' (-0.12

)

3' (0.05

)

- 3' (-0.05

)

3' (0.05

)

- 3' (-0.05

)

Caster
Degree minute
(Decimal degree)

- 12' (-0.20

)

12' (0.20

)

0 (0)

6' (0.10

)

- 6' (-0.10

)

- 6' (-0.10

)

6' (0.10

)

2009 Pathfinder

FSU-8

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

WARNING:

• Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.
• Make sure that no person is in front of the vehicle before pushing it.

Bounce the front of vehicle up and down to stabilize the vehicle height (posture).

Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft).

Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) of both front tires
at the same height as hub center as shown. These marks are
measuring points.

Measure the distance “A” on the rear side of the front tires as
shown.

Push the vehicle slowly ahead to rotate the wheels 180

degrees (1/2 a turn).

CAUTION:

If the wheels have rotated more than 180

degrees (1/2

turn), start this procedure again from the beginning. Never
push the vehicle backward.

Measure the distance “B” on the front side of the front tires at the
same marks as shown. Total toe-in is calculated as “A” – “B”.

Adjust the toe-in by varying the length of the steering outer tie-
rods.

Loosen the outer tie-rod lock nuts.

Adjust the toe-in by screwing the outer tie-rods in or out.

Tighten the outer tie-rod lock nuts to specification.

FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

NOTE:
Check front wheel turning angle after the toe-in inspection.

Place front wheels on turning radius gauges in straight ahead
position and rear wheels on stands so that vehicle can be level.
Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH
and RH road wheels.

Start engine and run at idle, turn steering wheel all the way right
and left, measure the turning angle.

AFA050

Total toe-in

: Refer to

FSU-24, "Wheel Alignment (Un-

laden*1)"

SFA234AC

Standard length “L”

: Refer to

ST-32, "Steering Outer

Socket and Inner Socket"

Lock nut

: Refer to

ST-29, "Disassembly and

Assembly"

SFA486A

Wheel turning angle
(full turn)

: Refer to

FSU-24, "Wheel

Alignment (Unladen*1)"

SFA439BA

2009 Pathfinder

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

FSU-9

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

FSU

• Any turning angles are not adjustable. If any of steering angles are out of the specification, check if the

following parts are worn or damaged.

- Steering gear
- Steering column
- Front suspension components

If found that they are worn or damaged, replace them with new ones.

2009 Pathfinder

FSU-10

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT

UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT

Inspection

INFOID:0000000003939320

• Check the ball joint for excessive play. Replace the upper or lower link assembly if any of the following

exists:

- Ball joint stud is worn.
- Ball joint is hard to swing.
- Ball joint play in axial directions or end play is excessive.

SWINGING FORCE

NOTE:
Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball
joint is properly broken in.

Measure the ball joint swinging force using a suitable tool.
• Measure at the cotter pin hole for upper ball joint as shown.
• Measure at the groove for lower ball joint as shown.

Verify the ball joint swinging force is within specification.

TURNING FORCE

NOTE:
Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball
joint is properly broken in.

VERTICAL END PLAY

Check dust cover for damage. Replace it and the cover clamp if necessary.
NOTE:

WEIA0076E

Swinging force “A” (Measurement point at either cot-
ter pin hole or groove of ball stud)

Upper

: 8.1 - 79 N (0.83 - 8.1 kg-f, 1.82 - 17.8 lb-f) at
hole

Lower

: 11.4 - 145.5 N (1.16 - 14.84 kg-f, 2.56 - 32.71 lb-
f) at groove

SFA858A

Turning torque “B”

Upper

: 0.5 - 4.9 N·m (0.05 - 0.49 kg-m, 5 - 43 in-lb)

Lower

: 0.5 - 6.4 N·m (0.05 - 0.65 kg-m, 5 - 56 in-lb)

SFA858A

2009 Pathfinder

UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT

FSU-11

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

FSU

Before checking the axial forces and end play, turn the lower ball
joint at least 10 revolutions so that the ball joint is properly broken in.

Vertical end play “C”

: 0 mm (0 in)

SFA858A

2009 Pathfinder

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