Body/Frame - Hood Visibly Vibrates/Seems Loose
Classification:BT01-042
Reference:
NTB02-005
Date:
January 7, 2002
2001-2002 MAXIMA HOOD VIBRATION
APPLIED VEHICLES:
2001-2002 Maxima (A33)
APPLIED VINs: Vehicles built before:
JN1DA31D42T205696
JN1DA31AX2T002110
JN1DA31D22T425158
JN1DA31A42T310082
APPLIED DATE:
Vehicles built before: November 5, 2001
SERVICE INFORMATION
If an applied 2001 or 2002 Maxima exhibits the following symptoms:
^ Hood surface visibly vibrates or seems loose while driving at highway speeds, It may be caused by:
^ Improper hood alignment/component fit or
^ Separated or mislocated adhesive bond joints between the hood sheet metal and hood inner structure.
Use the Service Procedure provided in this bulletin to verify and repair this incident, if it should occur.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The Service Procedure consists of three tasks:
^ Inspection for proper hood alignment/component fit.
^ Test hood bond joints/apply adhesive if required.
^ Install a rubber hood bumper and right- and left-hand headlamp packs.
Inspection for Proper Hood Alignment/Component Fit
1. Test drive the vehicle at highway speeds to confirm the symptoms exist. Take note of the area of the hood that seems to have the most movement or vibration.
2. Visually inspect the following areas:
^ Hood alignment and fit with fenders, headlights, and grille.
^ Fit of latch/striker mechanism and hood bumper posts.
A. If the inspection above shows improper fit of any of the components noted:
1) Use the appropriate Service and/or Body Repair Manual procedures to repair the fit issues.
2) Repeat the step 1 test drive:
^ If the symptoms are corrected, the procedure is completed.
^ If the symptoms are not corrected, proceed to Test Hood Bond Joints/Adhesive Application (below).
B. If the inspection above shows proper fit of all components, proceed to Test Hood Bond Joints/Adhesive Application (below)
Test Hood Bond Joints/Adhesive Application
1. Open the hood and remove the hood insulation pad.
2. Visually examine all the adhesive/mastic bond joints between the hood sheet metal and hood inner structure (see Figure 1 for examples of separated bond joints and properly sealed bond joints).
NOTE:
Pay particular attention to the area(s) that showed the most movement or vibration during the test drive.
3. Insert a wide plastic spatula or wood tongue depressor between the sheet metal and structure to gently test the suspected joint(s) - See Figure 2.
CAUTION:
Take care not to dent the hood skin from the inside out. DO NOT use a metal tool or pry bar to test the joints.
4. If a bond joint can be separated, keep the improperly bonded area gently separated with the spatula or tongue depressor. Using a caulking gun, apply a small bead of sealer/adhesive next to the original bond (see Figure 3).
Use Fusor(R) # 800 Factory Match Urethane Sealer/Adhesive (Nissan P/N 999MP-9G000P) or equivalent.
NOTE:
After removing the spatula or tongue depressor and adhesive nozzle, it is acceptable for some liquid adhesive to ooze out from behind the structure.
5. Repeat step 4 for all improperly bonded joints.
6. While allowing the applied adhesive to cure, proceed to Rubber Hood Bumper/Headlamp Pack Installation.
Rubber Hood Bumper/Headlamp Pack Installation
1. Install a Rubber Hood Bumper (see PARTS INFORMATION section for detail) into the hood bumper hole (see Figure 4).
2. Install a Right-hand and Left-hand Headlamp Pack (see the PARTS INFORMATION section for detail) to the front headlamps, using the following steps:
A. Clean the entire top of the Right-hand Headlamp using a clean, soft cloth and Isopropyl Alcohol (or equivalent). See Figure 5.
NOTE:
Before completing the following steps, you must identify proper installation of the Headlamp Packs. There are two ways to identify proper installation of the Headlamp Packs:
1. The "peel tab" ends of the packs should be placed on the outside (fender) corners of the headlamps (see Figure 6A shown).
2. The groove/channel of the packs should be facing toward the back of the vehicle (see Figure 6B).
A. Figure 7 shows proper installation of the Right-hand Headlamp Pack The groove/channel is facing forward, N/G.
B. After ensuring the peel tab end of the Headlamp Pack will be correctly placed on the outside (fender) corner of the headlamp, remove the "peel tab" from the back of the Right-hand Headlamp Pack.
C. Place the Right-hand Headlamp Pack into the Right-hand Headlamp Pack channel and press it into place (see Figure 8).
D. Repeat steps A through C above to apply the Left-hand Headlamp Pack.
3. Repeat a test drive of the vehicle at highway speeds. Verify that the hood vibration is no longer present.
4. Reinstall the hood insulation.
PARTS INFORMATION
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line claim using the claims coding table as shown.
NOTE:
Do NOT claim the P/N for the tube of adhesive and sealer. Use Expense Code 009 and claim only for that portion of the sealant/adhesive actually used.