Steering - Wheel Shimmy/Rack Friction Adjustment

Classification:
ST93-002

Section:
Steering

Reference:
TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB93-066

Models:
All 240SX(S13)

Date:
April 1, 1993

240SX(S13) STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY

APPLIED MODELS:
All Model Year 240SX(S13)

APPLIED VIN; HICAS; DATE:
JN1HS34N(*)W300146 - Coupe; HICAS=no; 6/4/92
JN1HS36N(*)W300198 - H/B; HICAS=no; 6/4/92
JN1HS34N(*)W300384 - H/B; HICAS=Yes; 6/12/92.
JN3HS - Convt.; HICAS=no;.

SERVICE INFORMATION:
Some owners of 240SX vehicles built before the Applied VIN may complain about steering wheel shimmy while driving at approximately 55 mph. The wheel shimmy complaint can usually be resolved by balancing the front tires. However, in those cases where the complaint is not resolved by this repair, adjustment of the steering rack friction may be necessary.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:
1. Road test vehicle to verify that the customer's complaint is steering wheel shimmy [slight rotational vibration of the steering wheel at approximately 55 mph] and that it occurs without braking.

2. Verify that the steering rack, rods, and joints are secure and the steering system is within specification.

3. Balance the front tires with an on-car balancer, if available; otherwise, use a calibrated off-car dynamic balancer.

4. Perform another road test of vehicle. If shimmy is not resolved, it will be necessary to adjust the steering rack friction.

5. Remove the steering rack adjusting screw. Clean the adjusting nut of any remaining locking sealant. Reassemble the lock nut to the adjusting screw with the lock nut backed off fully.

6. Replace the spring with P/N 48237-10V02. This is a direct replacement, original-equipment part. Be sure the spring washers remain in place, in the same orientation.

7. Coat the adjusting screw with Loctite 272 Threadlocker or equivalent and screw into the rack. Tighten the lock nut finger-tight.

8. Torque the adjusting screw to 43-52 inch-pounds.

9. Loosen the adjusting screw, then, lightly tighten by hand.
NOTE:
The actual torque value for this screw is 0.43 to 1.74 inch-pounds.

10. Move the rack through its full travel, left and right, several times.

11. Center the rack in the "straight-ahead" position. With road wheels off the ground, turn the steering wheel a half turn in each direction to find the maximum friction spot. Stop at the maximum friction spot.

12. Loosen the adjusting screw, then torque screw to 43-52 inch-pounds.

13. Loosen the adjusting screw approximately 40 degrees (just shy of 1/8 turn).

14. Prevent movement of the adjusting screw and torque the lock nut to 29-52 inch-pounds.

15. Test drive on a level road to verify that the steering wheel returns to center when the steering wheel is released from a turn (approximately 20 degrees). Also, verify that the steering shimmy was corrected by driving on the road surface where the incident was diagnosed.

16. If less pre-load is needed (to achieve steering wheel return-to-center after a turn)- based upon the results of the test drive detailed in Step 15, you may loosen the pre-load position of the adjusting screw, up to the 90 degree position.

Or, if more pre-load is needed to reduce shimmy, you may tighten the adjusting nut up to the 20 degree position.

NOTE:
The pre-load range of adjustment is 20-90 degrees loose, from the baseline established at Step 11.

17. Road test, again, to confirm shimmy complaint is resolved and steering wheel will return to center after a turn.

18. If the above procedure is not successful, please call the FIXS Hotline for assistance.

PARTS INFORMATION:

NOTE
This is a standard replacement part number; it is not a countermeasure/revised part.

Part Description Free Length Part Number
Spring-Retainer 27.9 mm 48237-10V02





WARRANTY INFORMATION: