Campaign P5216 - Rear Suspension Member/Bushing: Overview

Reference:
NTB05-114c

Date:
June 6, 2012

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
REAR SUSPENSION MEMBER REPLACEMENT / BUSHING
REPLACEMENT AND SEALING

This bulletin has been amended. The use of Genuine Nissan Parts Degreaser in this bulletin has been changed to an Automotive Aersol Degreaser (local source). Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

CAMPAIGN I.D. # :P5216

APPLIED VEHICLES:
2002-05 Altima (L31)
2004-05 Maxima (A34)

APPLIED VINS:
2002 Altima: 1N4*L11**2C100000 - 719021
2003 Altima: 1N4*L11**3C100000 - 355207
2004 Altima: 1N4*L11**4C100000 - 199931
2005 Altima: 1N4*L11**5C100000 - 322026
1N4*L11**5N400000 - 472765
2004 Maxima: 1N4*A41**4C800000 - 931667
2005 Maxima: 1N4*A41**5C800000 - 845620

INTRODUCTION

On some model year 2002-2005 Nissan Altima and 2004-2005 Nissan Maxima vehicles, there is a possibility that corrosion of the rear sub-frame may occur. Corrosion is most likely in cold climates where heavy salting of roads is common practice in freezing conditions. A mixture of road salt and water can promote corrosion in the rear sub-frame bushings of some vehicles. In severe cases, cracking of the rear sub-frame may occur, which may result in a knocking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The performance or handling characteristics of the vehicle are not affected and it is safe to drive the vehicle.

For vehicles believed by Nissan to be registered in one of the "salt" states (listed) where this condition is more likely to occur, Nissan is conducting a Service Campaign. On most vehicles, Nissan will replace the rear sub-frame assembly. On some 2005 Model Year vehicles, where sub-frame replacement is not necessary, Nissan will replace and seal the front bushings and seal the rear bushings.

Due to the number of vehicles affected by this action, the Service Campaign is being implemented in phases by model year. The implementation will begin with model year 2002 vehicles which have a higher likelihood of corrosion, and also with model year 2005 vehicles, which may require the less extensive repair.

It is important that you check Service Comm (P5216) prior to starting any repairs to determine if the vehicle is eligible for this repair. Because this campaign is being implemented in phases, some model years will not initially display in Service Comm as an "open" campaign but will be added at a later date.





SALT STATES

WARRANTY EXTENSION

To ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction, Nissan is also extending the warranty for cracking of the rear sub-frame due to corrosion to a total of 13 years with unlimited mileage on all model year 2002-2005 Nissan Altima and 2004-2005 Nissan Maxima vehicles. Vehicles included in the Service Campaign (as described above) are also covered by the Warranty Extension.

Please refer to Warranty Bulletin WB/05-038 for appropriate claims coding when a repair is performed under the extended warranty.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Nissan has assigned identification number P5216 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.

NUMBER OF VEHICLES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED

The number of vehicles potentially affected is approximately 411,000.

DEALER RESPONSIBILITY

It is the Nissan dealers responsibility to check Service Comm for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the range of this Voluntary Service Campaign (P5216) that enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a Nissan dealers inventory.





REPAIR FLOW CHART

Important Service Tips

To ensure a quality repair, use the following service tips when performing the procedures in this bulletin.

^ When removing the four nuts that secure the rear suspension member to the body, use caution to avoid breaking the studs. Clean the exposed threads with a wire brush and use plenty of Genuine Nissan Rust Penetrant P/N 999MP-A3020P (or equivalent). If necessary, slowly work the nut counter-clockwise and clockwise as the nut progresses down the threads of the stud (like working with a tap or die). Do NOT use an air tool to remove the nuts.





^ CAUTION:
When removing the rear suspension member mounting nuts DO NOT use any breaker bar or ratchet handle extensions, such as a long pipe, to loosen the nuts.





^ Do NOT remove the shock absorbers from the two studs at the top of the wheel well because the studs may break. Instead, remove the single bolt at the bottom of the shock absorber.

^ When replacing the front bushings in the 2005 sub-frame, start by removing the front right (passenger side) bushing first. It is likely that the right bushing will be more difficult to remove than the left.

^ Included in the rear suspension member kit is a bag that contains an exhaust gasket and eight nuts. Make sure to find and retrieve this bag from the kit box.





^ Use a "back up" wrench at all times when removing or tightening fasteners that use a nut and a bolt. This is especially important when tightening the alignment eccentrics.

^ Make sure all fasteners are tightened to the correct torque specification.

^ CAUTION:
When tightening the rear suspension member mounting nuts, DO NOT EXCEED 100 N-m (10.3 Kg-m, 74 ft-lb).

Preliminary Service Step: Before performing any procedures in this bulletin, apply Genuine Nissan Rust Penetrant P/N 999MP-A3020P (or equiv.) to all fasteners that will need to be removed to perform the procedures in this bulletin. Refer to the illustration (below) for the location of these fasteners.





Required Special Tools (sent to each dealer)





PARTS INFORMATION





CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Campaign (CM) line claim using the following claims coding:
"CM" I.D.: P5216





Disclaimer