Procedure A: Remove Rear Suspension Member/Suspension Components

CAUTION:
Use suitable covers to protect upholstery, carpet, trim, paint, etc. when performing this procedure.

Use this procedure to remove the original rear suspension member.

1. From inside the vehicle, release the parking brake cable tension as follows:





a. Remove the console finisher by carefully prying UP with a plastic pry tool to release the securing clips.





b. Remove the center console finisher by carefully lifting UP to release the securing clips (see Figure A2).

^ Disconnect all harness connectors from the finisher.





c. Turn the cable tension adjustment nut counter-clockwise (left) to release the parking brake cable tension (see Figure A3a). Then disconnect the parking brake cables from the equalizer bar (see Figure A3b).

2. Raise vehicle on lift and remove both rear wheels/tires.

3. Confirm Genuine Nissan Rust Penetrant (P/N 999MP-A3020P) or equivalent, was applied to all fasteners that hold the:

^ Rear suspension member

^ Exhaust system (from catalytic converter back)

If rust penetrant was not applied previously, apply before continuing.

4. Remove the exhaust system as follows:





a. Remove two nuts that hold the Pipe/Muffler center exhaust pipe/muffler to the catalytic converter (see Nuts Figure A4).

NOTE:
If rust penetrant was not applied previously, make sure you apply Genuine Nissan Rust Penetrant P/N 999MP-A3020P (or equiv.), before removing the nuts in the following steps.

Vehicles With QR25DE Engine
("single exhaust"):





b. Remove three nuts and disconnect the rear muffler from the mounting bracket (see Figure A5).

^ Note the location of the ground strap on the muffler.
It needs to go back in the same place.

Vehicles With VQ35DE Engine
("dual exhaust"):





c. Remove six nuts and disconnect the rear mufflers from the mounting brackets (see Figure A6).

^ Note the location of the ground strap on the passenger side (RH) muffler. It needs to go back in the same place.





d. Remove two nuts and take off the exhaust pipe hanger from the rear suspension member (see Figure A7).





e. Remove four nuts and take off Nuts (Remove) the center cross brace (see Figure A8).

f. Carefully lower the exhaust system from the vehicle and place it in a safe location.





5. Remove the rear brake calipers and rotors as follows:

a. Remove the two bolts that hold the rear caliper bracket (torque member).

b. Move the caliper and bracket assembly out of the way of the rotor. Then use a piece of Brake Hose "support" wire to hang it from the brake hose bracket.





c. Remove the rear brake rotor, making sure you:

^ Mark the rotor with "R" or "L".

^ Index the rotor to a stud.

d. Use this procedure to also remove the drivers side (LH) rear rotor.

IMPORTANT:
The rotors must be re-installed in exactly the same location/position.

6. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the rear knuckles as follows:

a. Apply Genuine Nissan Rust Penetrant P/N 999MP-A3020P (or equiv.) to the parking brake cable pin and retainer, making sure you don't get the penetrant on the parking brake shoes.





b. Pull the parking brake cable pin retainer OUT towards the hub/wheel studs (see Figure A11).

c. Then, use a magnet or other suitable tool to remove the pin from the bottom side of the parking brake cable end (see Figure A11). Be careful not to drop/lose the pin.





d. Finally, remove the bolt and remove the parking brake cable from the back side of the knuckle (see Figure A12).

e. Do the same procedure to remove the cable from the drivers (LH) side knuckle.





7. Remove the parking brake cables from the rear suspension member (see Figure A13). Let the cables hang down freely.





8. Support the lower rear control arm and remove the shock absorber lower mounting Bolt (see Figure A14). Do this procedure on both sides.

NOTE:
Do not remove the shock absorbers from the two studs at the top of the wheel well as the studs may break. Instead, remove the single bolt at the bottom of the shock absorber.





9. Remove the two front bolts from the right and left "stay" brackets (see Figure A15).

For all 2002 Altimas and 2003 Altimas built up to 1/24/03:

^ Do NOT re-use the original stay brackets, install new ones. See the Parts Information section.

^ Mark the original stay brackets as "NG" and discard them.

NOTE:
The original stay brackets have a rubber washer attached to them. These rubber washers are not used on the new stay brackets.





10. Disconnect the two ABS harness connectors from the back side of the rear suspension member (if equipped). See Figure A16.

^ Remove the ABS body-side harness tie wrap from the rear suspension member.





11. Support the rear suspension member with the special tool transmission jack adapter J-47326 and transmission jack (see Detail View A). Then, place a support jack under the front frame member (see Detail View B). The support jack will help balance the vehicle on the lift once the rear suspension member is removed.





12. Remove the four main suspension member mounting nuts and the LH/RH stay brackets (see Figure A18 below).

^ For all 2002 Altimas and 2003 Altimas built up to 1/24/03: Do NOT re-use the original stay brackets. Install new ones. See the Parts Information section.

CAUTION:
Do not damage the studs/threads when removing the four main suspension member mounting nuts. Take note of the following when removing these nuts.

To avoid breaking stud(s) / damaging threads:

^ Before removing,clean the exposed threads with a wire brush or other suitable tool and apply Genuine Nissan Rust Penetrant P/N 999MP-A3020P (or equivalent).

^ Use plenty of penetrant and 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).

^ 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.

^ If the suspension member mounting nuts cannot be loosened do steps A through D below.

For this procedure, you'll need 1) A die grinder with a small diameter, burr-type cutting attachment 2) A small cold chisel 3) A ball peen hammer.

NOTE:
Perform the following operation only on the mounting nuts that are stuck.





A. Use the grinder to make a slit or groove on both sides of the nut, top to bottom.

CAUTION:
Do Grinder bit not damage the mounting stud threads. You don't need to cut all the way through the nut.

B. Now use the cold chisel and hammer to split both sides of the nut. Again, be careful not to damage the threads.

NOTE:
Replacement nut part number is 55269-2Y000. A maximum of four can be billed as part of this campaign.

IMPORTANT:
If the stud breaks, refer to NTB06-018 for further directions.

13. Carefully lower the rear suspension member out of the vehicle.

^ If needed, carefully use a pry bar to "work" the suspension member loose from the four main suspension member mounting studs.

^ If this does not work, do steps A through D below:

For this procedure, you'll need: 1) One large crossbar-jaw-type puller 2) An air chisel (zip gun). 3) An impact wrench. You'll be using these tools to pry the suspension member away from the body frame rails.





A. Attach the puller securely to a suspension member upper mount (see Figure A21).

B. Use an impact wrench on the puller and apply downward tension to the mount.





C. Now use the air chisel above the mount to pry the member slightly away from the body frame rails. (about 1/4 inch, or 6 mm). (See Figure A22)

CAUTION:
Make sure the chisel tip is placed directly at the point of contact between the suspension member and the body frame rail.

D. Then move the puller to the other suspension member mounts in turn. Continue alternating steps B and C above on the other three mounts until the suspension member is fully separated from the body frame rails.

14. If the vehicle you're working on is a:

2002 through 2004 MY, continue with Procedure B

2005 MY, skip to Procedure C