Suspension (Rear) - Clunk Noise on Bumps
Classification:RA01-001
Reference:
NTB01-045
Date:
June 19, 2001
2001 ALTIMA REAR SUSPENSION CLUNK NOISE - BUSHING
APPLIED VEHICLE:
2001 Altima (L30)
APPLIED VIN:
Vehicles built after 1N4DL01A21C156496
APPLIED DATE:
Vehicles built after December 5, 2000
SERVICE INFORMATION
If an Applied 2001 Altima has the following symptom present:
^ A "clunk noise in the rear of the vehicle, possibly when driving over bumps.
The rear stabilizer bushing may be missing or may have slipped out of its retaining bracket. The bushing used after the Applied VIN/Applied Date has a high wax content (40%), giving it a visibly shiny appearance and a feel that is slippery to the touch. A replacement bushing has been developed which has a lower wax content (10%) to reduce the possibility of the bushing slipping out of the bracket.
If the symptom described above exists, three separate rear stabilizer bushing repairs are provided in this bulletin to correct the incident.
Use the diagnosis/repair flow chart shown and appropriate Service Procedure repair provided in this bulletin to correct the incident, if it should occur
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Determining Appropriate Repair
Put the vehicle up on a hoist and inspect the left and right rear stabilizer bushings (see Figure 1):
^ If both the left and right rear stabilizer bushings are still on the bracket or are displaced, but still hanging on the rear stabilizer bar, proceed to When Re-using The Originally Installed Bushings - Shimming Both Bushings With Washers, below.
^ If both the left and right rear stabilizer bushings are missing, proceed to When Replacing Both Missing Bushings.
^ If one rear stabilizer bushing is still in its bracket or is displaced but still hanging on the rear stabilizer bar, and the other bushing is missing, proceed to Combination Repair:
Shimming One Bushing With Washers And Replacing One Bushing.
When Re-using The Originally Installed Bushings - Shimming Both Bushings With Washers
NOTE:
See Figure 1 above for location of all parts referenced in the following procedure.
1. Lubricate the inside diameter of one of the bushings with silicone grease (P/N 999MP-AB002P) where it contacts the stabilizer bar.
2. Re-position the bushing back onto its original place on the stabilizer bar.
3. Install one 4.5 mm washer (see the PARTS INFORMATION section of the bulletin for detail) onto each of the threaded studs of the bracket (see Figure 1). These washers will space the brackets away from the mounts and reduce the compression of the bushings.
4. Install the brackets and washers onto the body bracket. Torque the bracket nuts to 41- 47 N-m (4.2 - 4.8 kg-m, 30 - 35 ft.-lbs.).
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 above for the other bushing.
When Replacing Both Missing Bushings
NOTE:
See Figure 1 for location of all parts referenced in the following procedure.
1. Remove one of the bushing mounting brackets and bracket nuts.
2. Lubricate the inside diameter of one of the replacement bushings (use the Stabilizer Bushing part number listed in the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin) with silicone grease (P/N 999MP-AB002P) where it contacts the stabilizer bar.
3. Install the lubricated replacement bushing onto the stabilizer bar.
NOTE:
Installation of a replacement bushing does not require shimming with a washer.
4. Re-install the bushing bracket onto the body bracket. Torque the bracket nuts to 41-47 N-m (4.2 - 4.8 kg-m, 30 - 35 ft-lbs).
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 above for the other bushing.
Combination Repair: Shimming One Bushing With Washers And Replacing One Bushing
^ If one rear stabilizer bushing is still in its bracket or is displaced but still hanging on the rear stabilizer bar, and the other bushing is missing:
^ Complete the repair provided in When Re-using The Originally Installed Bushings - Shimming Both Bushings With Washers for the displaced bushing, and
^ Complete the repair provided in When Replacing Both Missing Bushings, above, for the missing bushing.
PARTS INFORMATION
CLAIMS INFORMATION