Alignment: Service and Repair
Wheel Alignment inspectionDESCRIPTION
Measure wheel alignment under unladen conditions.
NOTE: "Unladen conditions" means that fuel, engine coolant, and lubricant are full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats are in designated positions.
PRELIMINARY
Check the following:
1. Tires for improper air pressure and wear.
2. Road wheels for runout. Refer to WT-5. Testing and Inspection
3. Wheel bearing axial end play. Refer to RAX-4, "On-Vehicle Inspection and Service". Testing and Inspection
4. Shock absorber operation.
5. Each mounting part of suspension for looseness and deformation.
6. Rear suspension beam for cracks, deformation, and other damage.
7. Vehicle height (posture).
GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. A Four-Wheel Thrust Alignment should be performed.
^ This type of alignment is recommended for any NISSAN vehicle.
^ The four-wheel "thrust" process helps ensure that the vehicle is properly aligned and the steering wheel is centered.
^ The alignment machine itself should be capable of accepting any NISSAN vehicle.
^ The alignment machine should be checked to ensure that it is level.
2. Make sure the alignment machine is properly calibrated.
^ Your alignment machine should be regularly calibrated in order to give correct information.
^ Check with the manufacturer of your specific alignment machine for their recommended Service/Calibration Schedule.
THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS
IMPORTANT: Use only the alignment specifications listed in this Service Manual. Refer to RSU-12, "Wheel Alignment (Unladen*)". Rear Suspension
1. When displaying the alignment settings, many alignment machines use "indicators": (Green/red, plus or minus, Go/No Go). Do NOT use these indicators.
^ The alignment specifications programmed into your alignment machine that operate these indicators may not be correct.
^ This may result in an ERROR.
2. Some newer alignment machines are equipped with an optional "Rolling Compensation" method to "compensate" the sensors (alignment targets or head units). Do NOT use this "Rolling Compensation" method.
^ Use the "Jacking Compensation" method. After installing the alignment targets or head units, raise the vehicle and rotate the wheels 1/2 turn both ways.
^ See Instructions in the alignment machine you are using for more information.
CAMBER INSPECTION
^ Measure camber of both right and left wheels with a suitable alignment gauge.
Camber: Refer to RSU-12, "Wheel Alignment (Unladen*)". Rear Suspension
^ If it is out of the specification value, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts.
TOE-IN INSPECTION
Measure toe-in using following procedure. If it is out of the specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts.
WARNING:
^ Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.
^ Make sure that no person is in front of vehicle before pushing it.
1. Bounce the rear of vehicle up and down to stabilize the vehicle height (posture).
2. Push vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft).
3. Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) of both tires at the same height of hub center. These are measuring points.
4. Measure distance "A" (rear side).
5. Push vehicle slowly ahead to rotate wheels 180 degrees (1/2 turn). If wheels have rotated more than 180 degrees (1/2 turn), try the above procedure again from the beginning. Never push vehicle backward.
6. Measure distance "B" (front side).
Total toe-in: Refer to RSU-12, "Wheel Alignment (Unladen*)". Rear Suspension