Front Suspension Assembly. Inspection. Inspection

Inspection

COMPONENT PART

Check the front suspension for the following:

• Check each component for looseness or play.

• Inspect each component for abnormal wear or damage

Ball Joint Axial End Play

Warning:

When moving the front tires up and down by hand, place a jack (A) at the rear floor jack lift point to stabilize the Nissan Sentra vehicle or the vehicle could rock and fall off the lift resulting in serious personal injury or death.

Set the front wheels in a straight-ahead position.

Check ball joint boot for cracks or other damage. If there are cracks or other damage, replace transverse link.

Move axle side of transverse link by hand. Check there is no end play.

CAUTION:

• Do not depress the brake pedal when measuring.

• Do not perform this inspection with the tires on the ground.

• Be careful not to damage ball joint boot. Do not damage the components by applying excessive force.

Oil Leakage Inspection

• If oil (A) does not extend beyond the spring seat (B) or upper half (C) of strut/shock absorber (1), this is slight oil seepage and the strut/shock absorber should not be replaced.

  

• If oil (A) does extend beyond the spring seat (B) or upper half (C) of strut/shock absorber (1) as shown, perform the following.

  

  • Use a finger to touch the oil that has extended beyond the spring seat or upper half of strut/ shock absorber.

    • If the oil layer is thick and contains large pieces of dust and debris, replace the strut/shock absorber.

    • If the oil layer is thin and does not contain large pieces of dust and debris, do not replace the strut/shock absorber.

Note:

If strut/shock absorber leakage is diagnosed in one strut/shock absorber, do not automatically replace both sides. Replace only the leaking strut/shock absorber.

Wheel Alignment. Inspection

Inspection

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION

Warning:

Always adjust the wheel alignment with the Nissan Sentra vehicle on a flat surface.

Note:

If the wheel alignment is out of specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts before making any adjustments.

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

Check the tires for incorrect air pressure and excessive wear.

Check the wheels for run out and damage. Refer to Inspection.

Check the wheel bearing axial end play. Refer to Inspection.

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 Nissan Sentra vehicle height. Refer to Wheelarch Height (Unladen) .

GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A Four-Wheel Thrust Alignment should be performed.

• This type of alignment is recommended for any NISSAN Nissan Sentra 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 Nissan Sentra vehicle.

• The alignment machine should be checked to ensure that it is level.

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/Calibration Schedule.

THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS

IMPORTANT: Use only the alignment specifications listed in this Service Manual. Refer to Wheel Alignment (Unladen).

• 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.

• Most camera-type alignment machines are equipped with both "Rolling Compensation" method and optional "Jacking Compensation" method to "compensate" the alignment targets or head units.

  "Rolling Compensation" is the preferred method.

  • If using the "Rolling Compensation" method, after installing the alignment targets or head units, push or pull on the rear wheel to move the Nissan Sentra vehicle. Do not push or pull the vehicle body.

  • If using the "Jacking Compensation" method, after installing the alignment targets or head units, raise the Nissan Sentra vehicle and rotate the wheels 1/2 turn both ways.

Note:

Do not use the "Rolling Compensation" method if you are using sensor-type alignment equipment.

• Follow all instructions for the alignment machine you're using for more information.

CAMBER, CASTER AND KINGPIN INCLINATION ANGLES INSPECTION

• Camber, caster, kingpin inclination angles cannot be adjusted.

• Before inspection, set the front wheels onto a turning radius gauge. Set the rear wheels onto a pad that has the same height so the Nissan Sentra vehicle will remain horizontal.

TOTAL TOE-IN INSPECTION

Measure the total toe-in using the following procedure.

Warning:

• Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.

• Make sure that no person is in front of Nissan Sentra vehicle before pushing it.

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

Push on the rear wheel to move the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft).

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

Measure the distance (A) from the rear side.

Push on the rear wheel to move the Nissan Sentra vehicle slowly ahead and to rotate the wheels 180 degrees (1/2 turn).

CAUTION:

If the wheels have rotated more than 180 degrees (1/2 turn), try the above procedure again from the beginning. Do not push Nissan Sentra vehicle backward.

Measure the distance (B) from the front side.

Use the formula below to calculate total toe-in.

Total toe-in	: A - B
Total toe-in specification	: Refer to Wheel Alignment (Unladen).

• If the total toe-in is outside the specification, adjust the total toe-in. Refer to Adjustment.

Adjustment

Adjustment

TOTAL TOE-IN

Loosen the steering outer socket.

Adjust the length using the steering inner socket.

Toe-in

: Refer to Wheel Alignment (Unladen).

CAUTION:

• Always evenly adjust both toe-in alternately and adjust the difference between the left and right to the standard.

• Always hold the steering inner socket when tightening the steering outer socket.