Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Manual - part 41

Rear Suspension

 

165

 

 

 

Checking the rear control arm outer pivot bolt for 

security. 

(5) Loose or worn control arm bushes or pivot 

bolts: Check and tighten or renew the worn compo- 
nents.

 

NOTE: Check the serviceability of the sus- 
pension units, control arm bushes and pivot 
bolts as previously described.

 

If incorrect rear wheel alignment is sus- 

pected, it is recommended that the vehicle be 
taken to a wheel alignment specialist or a 
Nissan dealer to be checked and if necessary 
adjusted.

 

Visually inspect the stabilizer bar for 

damage.

 

2.   DESCRIPTION

 

The independent type rear suspension consists of 

a suspension unit, a knuckle assembly which incorpo- 
rates the stub axle, inboard control arms and a 
stabilizer bar.

 

The suspension unit consists of a sealed, oil filled 

shock absorber, enclosed at the upper end by a coil 
spring on which an upper mounting assembly is 
located and attached to the body.

 

The shock absorber piston rod is attached to the 

centre of the suspension unit upper mounting assem- 
bly.

 

The lower end of the suspension unit is attached 

to the knuckle assembly to which the brake caliper 
and/or the brake backing plate is mounted.

 

The control arms are attached to the knuckle 

assembly at the outer end, and the crossmember at the 
inner end.

 

The stabilizer bar is attached to the knuckle 

assembly and mounted to the underbody. As well as 
reducing body roll when cornering it also secures the 
knuckle assembly, preventing fore and aft movement.

 

Adjustment of the toe out is provided by a 

graduated cam mounted on the rear control arm inner 
pivot bolt. Each graduation on the cam is equivalent 
to 2 mm adjustment.

 

Camber is set in production and cannot be 

adjusted. If the camber is not within Specifications, 
inspect the suspension components and renew the 
damaged or worn components as necessary.

 

 

Installed view of the rear suspension. 

166

 

Rear Suspension

 

 

3.    REAR HUB

 

Special Equipment Required

 

To Check Hub Bearing End Float — Dial gauge 
To Renew Bearing — Press and suitable drift

 

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

 

(1)  Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it 

on chassis stands. Remove the rear wheel and release 
the handbrake. 

(2)  On models with rear drum brakes, proceed 

to operation (6). 

(3)  Remove the clip securing the brake hose to 

the suspension unit and disengage the hose. 

(4)  Remove the bolts securing the brake caliper 

to the knuckle assembly. 

(5)  Slide the caliper from the disc and support it 

away from the working area, ensuring that no excess 
strain is placed on the brake hose. 

(6)  Rotate the hub and check that it rotates 

smoothly. If it does not rotate smoothly, renew the 
hub bearing. 

(7)  Mount a dial gauge with the plunger posi- 

tioned against the outer face of the hub. Move the hub 
back and forth in line with the stub axle and note the 
reading on the dial gauge. If the end float exceeds 
Specifications, renew the hub bearing. 

(8)  Remove the hub grease cap from the rear 

hub. 

(9)  Remove the split pin from the stub axle and 

remove the nut retainer, the hub retaining nut and 
washer. Remove the hub assembly from the stub axle. 

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure 

with attention to the following points:

 

(1)  Tighten the hub retaining nut to the specified 

torque. 

(2)  Check the hub bearing end float as previ- 

ously described. 

(3)  On models with disc brakes, install the brake 

 

caliper and tighten the retaining bolts to the torque 
specified in the Brakes section. Install the brake hose to 
the suspension unit and secure with the retaining clip.

 

TO RENEW BEARING

 

(1)  Remove  the  rear  hub  as  previously  de- 

scribed. 

(2)  Remove the snap ring from the rear of the 

hub assembly. 

(3)  Support the rear of the hub around the 

bearing housing, ensuring that the bearing will not be 
obstructed when being pressed out. 

(4)  Using a suitable drift, press the bearing out 

of the hub. 

 

Dismantled view of the rear hub assembly. Drum brake 

model. 

 

Tightening the hub retaining nut with a torque wrench.

 

Dismantled view of the rear hub assembly. Disc brake 

model.

 

Rear Suspension

 

167

 

 

NOTE:  When a wheel bearing has been 
removed from the hub it must be renewed.

 

(5)  Press the new bearing into the hub, ensuring 

that pressure is not exerted on the inner race of the 
bearing and that the bearing seal is not damaged. Do 
not apply grease or oil to the mating surfaces of the 
bearing and the hub.

 

NOTE: When installing the new bearing, 
the press load must not exceed 3 tonnes.

 

(6)  Inspect the snap ring for wear or cracks and 

renew as necessary. Install the snap ring into the hub 
ensuring that it is securely located in the groove. 

(7)  Apply multi-purpose grease to the bearing 

sealing lip and install the hub as previously described. 

4.    SUSPENSION UNIT

 

Special Equipment Required:

 

To Dismantle — Spring compressor

 

TO REMOVE AND DISMANTLE

 

(1)  On hatchback models, remove the rear par- 

cel shelf and lower the rear seat backrests. Remove the 
parcel shelf side panel retaining screws and remove 
the relevant side panel. 

(2)  On sedan models, prise out the parcel shelf 

retaining buttons  using a  suitable  instrument  and 
withdraw the parcel shelf from the vehicle. If the rear 
radio speakers are installed, remove the speaker grille 
retaining screws and separate the speaker grilles from 
the speakers prior to withdrawing the parcel shelf 
from the vehicle. 

(3)  Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it 

on chassis stands as described in the Wheels and Tires 
section. Remove the rear wheel from the vehicle. 

 

View of the suspension unit with the spring compres- 

sors installed. 

(4)  Remove the clip securing the brake hose to 

the suspension unit and disengage the hose from the 
suspension unit. 

(5)  Support the weight of the knuckle assembly 

and remove the bolts and nuts securing the suspension 
unit to the knuckle assembly. 

(6)  Remove the nuts securing the suspension 

unit to the body panel and maneuver the suspension 
unit from the vehicle. 

(7)  Thoroughly clean the suspension unit and 

secure it in a soft jawed vice. 

(8)  Remove the dust cap from the upper mount- 

ing and while holding the end of the piston rod with 
an adjustable spanner, loosen the upper mounting 
retaining nut. Do not remove the retaining nut. 

(9)  Using a suitable spring compressor,  com- 

press the coil spring and remove the upper mounting 
retaining nut and washer. 

(10)  Remove the upper mounting, insulator and 

spring seat from the suspension unit. 

(11)  Withdraw the upper insulator, coil spring, 

lower insulator and dust cover from the suspension 
unit. 

(12)  Check the coil spring for cracks, deformation 

and damage. Compare the free length with a new coil 
spring and renew as necessary. 

Location of the suspension unit retaining nuts. Hatch- 

back model. 

168

 

Rear Suspension

 

 

NOTE: If a coil spring is defective it is 
advisable to renew both coil springs as a 
matched set.

 

(13)  Check the spring seat for cracks, deforma- 

tion or wear and renew as necessary. 

(14)  Check the upper mounting and the insulator 

for wear, damage, signs of melting rubber or deterio- 
ration. 

(15)  Check that the piston rod is not cracked, 

bent or damaged. 

 

Dismantled view of the suspension unit. 

(16) Check the hydraulic operation of the suspen- 

sion unit. With the suspension unit vertical, move the 
piston rod up and down several times. A firm pressure 
with no slack spots should be evident in both direc- 
tions. Also check the suspension unit for fluid leakage. 
If fluid leakage is present, renew the suspension unit, 
preferably in pairs.

 

TO ASSEMBLE AND INSTAL

 

Assembly is a reversal of the dismantling proce- 

dure with attention to the following points:

 

(1)   Install the coil spring and lower insulator to

 

the suspension unit ensuring that the flat end of the 
spring is positioned at the top and the lower end of the 
spring is located correctly in the suspension unit.

 

(2)  Install the remaining components to the sus- 

pension unit, ensuring that the arrow on the spring 
seat will be facing the stub axle when installed. 

(3)  Install a new upper mounting retaining nut, 

tighten to the specified torque and remove the spring 
compressor. 

(4)  Position the suspension unit inside the rear 

wheel housing and maneuver the mounting studs 
into position. With the aid of an assistant, install the 
suspension unit retaining nuts and tighten to the 
specified torque. 

 

View of the suspension unit removed from the vehicle. 

(5)  Install the bolts securing the suspension unit 

to the knuckle assembly and tighten the nuts to the 
specified torque. 

(6)  Install the brake hose to the suspension unit 

and secure with the retaining clip. 

(7)  Install the rear wheel and lower the vehicle to 

the ground. 

(8)  On hatchback models, install the parcel shelf 

side panel and the parcel shelf. 

(9)  On sedan models, install the parcel shelf and 

insert the retaining buttons firmly. If removed, install 
the radio speaker grilles.