Nissan Pathfinder (2006 year). Manual - part 255

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

FSU-7

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2006 Pathfinder

●

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/Cali-
bration Schedule.

THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS

IMPORTANT: Use only the alignment specifications listed in this Service Manual. Refer to 

FSU-20, "Wheel

Alignment (Unladen*1)*6"

 .

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 “com-
pensate” 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 AND CASTER

1.

Measure camber and caster of both the right and left wheels
with a suitable alignment gauge and adjust as necessary to
specification.

NOTE:
Some vehicles may be equipped with straight (non-adjustable)
lower link bolts and washers. In order to adjust camber and
caster on these vehicles, first replace the lower link bolts and
washers with adjustable (cam) bolts and washers.

2.

If outside of the specified value, adjust camber and caster using
the adjusting bolts in the front lower link.

CAUTION:

After adjusting the camber then check the toe-in.
NOTE:
Camber changes about 3' (0.05

°

) minutes with each graduation

of one adjusting bolt. Refer to table below for examples of lower
link adjusting bolt effect on camber and caster. 

3.

Tighten the adjusting bolt nuts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

Camber

: Refer to 

FSU-6, "Front Wheel Alignment"

 .

SRA096A

WEIA0115E

Rear adjusting 
bolt

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

0

0

1 In

1 Out

Front adjusting 
bolt

1 Out

1 In

1 In

1 Out

1 In

1 Out

0

0

Camber
Degree minute 
(Decimal degree)

0 (0)

0 (0)

7' (0.12

°

)

- 7' (-0.12

°

)

3'  (0.05

°

)

- 3' (-0.05

°

)

3'  (0.05

°

)

- 3' (-0.05

°

)

Caster
Degree minute 
(Decimal degree)

- 12' (-0.20

°

)

12' (0.20

°

)

0 (0)

0 (0)

6' (0.10

°

)

- 6' (-0.10

°

)

- 6' (-0.10

°

)

6'  (0.10

°

)

FSU-8

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

2006 Pathfinder

TOE-IN

WARNING:

●

Always perform the following procedure on a flat surface.

●

Make sure that no person is in front of the vehicle before pushing it.

1.

Bounce the front of vehicle up and down to stabilize the vehicle height (posture).

2.

Push the vehicle straight ahead about 5 m (16 ft).

3.

Put a mark on base line of the tread (rear side) of both front tires
at the same height as hub center as shown. These marks are
measuring points.

4.

Measure the distance “A” on the rear side of the front tires as
shown.

5.

Push the vehicle slowly ahead to rotate the wheels 180

°

degrees (1/2 a turn).

CAUTION:

If the wheels have rotated more than 180

°

 degrees (1/2

turn), start this procedure again from the beginning. Never
push the vehicle backward.

6.

Measure the distance “B” on the front side of the front tires at the
same marks as shown. Total toe-in is calculated as “A” – “B”.

7.

Adjust the toe-in by varying the length of the steering outer tie-
rods.

a.

Loosen the outer tie-rod lock nuts.

b.

Adjust the toe-in by screwing the outer tie-rods in or out.

c.

Tighten the outer tie-rod lock nuts to specification.

AFA050

Total toe-in

: Refer to 

FSU-20, "Wheel Alignment 

(Unladen*1)*6"

 .

SFA234AC

Standard length “L”

: Refer to 

PS-15, "POWER 

STEERING GEAR AND LINK-
AGE"

 .

Lock nut 

: Refer to 

PS-15, "Removal and 

Installation"

 .

SFA486A

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

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2006 Pathfinder

FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

NOTE:
Check front wheel turning angle after the toe-in inspection.

1.

Place front wheels on turning radius gauges in straight ahead
position and rear wheels on stands so that vehicle can be level.
Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH
and RH road wheels.

2.

Start engine and run at idle, turn steering wheel all the way right
and left, measure the turning angle.

●

Any turning angles are not adjustable. If any of steering
angles are out of the specification, check if the following parts
are worn or damaged.

–

Steering gear

–

Steering column

–

Front suspension components
If found that they are worn or damaged, replace them with new ones.

Wheel turning angle 
(full turn)

: Refer to 

FSU-20, "Wheel 

Alignment (Unladen*1)*6"

 .

SFA439BA

FSU-10

COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER

2006 Pathfinder

COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER

PFP:56210

Removal and Installation

EES0022V

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the wheel and tire using power tool.

2.

Support the lower link using a suitable jack.

3.

Remove connecting rod upper joints from stabilizer bar using power tool. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

●

Swing stabilizer bar down, repositioning it out of the way to access shock absorber lower mount.

4.

Remove the shock absorber lower bolt and nut using power tool.

5.

Remove the three shock absorber upper mounting nuts using
power tool.

6.

Remove the coil spring and shock absorber assembly.

●

Turn steering knuckle out to gain enough clearance for
removal.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

●

The step in the strut assembly lower seat faces outside of vehicle.

●

Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

●

When installing wheel and tire, refer to 

WT-7, "Rotation"

 .

Disassembly and Assembly

EES0022W

DISASSEMBLY

1.

Set the shock absorber in a vise, then loosen (without removing)
the piston rod lock nut as shown.

CAUTION:

Do not remove piston rod lock nut at this time.

2.

Compress the coil spring using commercial service tool until the
shock absorber mounting insulator can be turned by hand.

WARNING:

Make sure that the pawls of the two spring compressors are
firmly hooked on the coil spring. The spring compressors
must be tightened alternately and evenly so as not to tilt the
coil spring.

3.

Remove the piston rod lock nut.

●

Discard the piston rod lock nut, use a new nut for assembly.

4.

Remove the components from the shock absorber.

●

Keep the coil spring compressed in the commercial service
tool if reusing it for assembly.

INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY
Shock Absorber Assembly

●

Check for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension.

●

Check for oil leakage on welded or gland packing portions.

●

Check piston rod for cracks, deformation or other damage and replace if necessary.

WEIA0116E

SSU002

SSU003

COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER

FSU-11

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2006 Pathfinder

Mounting Insulator and Rubber Parts

Check cemented rubber-to-metal portion for separation or cracks. Check rubber parts for deterioration and
replace if necessary.

Coil Spring

●

Check for cracks, deformation or other damage and replace if necessary.

●

Check the coil spring free height.

ASSEMBLY

1.

When installing coil spring on strut, it must be positioned as
shown.

2.

Install the shock absorber mounting insulator as shown in line
with lower shock mount and step in lower seat.

●

The step in the strut assembly lower seat faces outside of
vehicle.

3.

Tighten the new piston rod lock nut to specification. Refer to

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

●

Use a new piston rod lock nut for assembly.

4.

Remove commercial service tool.

Front coil spring free height

2WD

: 345.4 mm (13.6 in)

4WD

: 356 mm (14.0 in)

SFA508A

WEIA0117E

FSU-12

STABILIZER BAR

2006 Pathfinder

STABILIZER BAR

PFP:54611

Removal and Installation

EES0022X

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the front valance center.

2.

Remove engine undercover using power tool.

3.

Remove connecting rod nuts using power tool.

4.

Loosen top bolts for stabilizer bar brackets, then remove lower
bolts from brackets and remove stabilizer bar.

5.

Remove bushings from stabilizer bar.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

●

Check stabilizer bar for twist and deformation. Replace if necessary.

●

Check rubber bushing for cracks, wear and deterioration. Replace if necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

●

Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

WEIA0118E

UPPER LINK

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2006 Pathfinder

UPPER LINK

PFP:54524

Removal and Installation

EES0022Y

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the wheel and tire using power tool.

2.

Support the lower link using a suitable jack.

3.

For the LH side only, remove the bolt from the lower joint of the
lower joint shaft, then reposition the lower joint shaft out of the
way.

CAUTION:

●

Do not damage the lower joint.

4.

Remove cotter pin and nut from upper link ball joint.

5.

Separate upper link ball joint stud from steering knuckle using
Tool.

6.

Remove upper link bolts and nuts.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Upper Link

Check for deformation and cracks. Replace if necessary.

Upper Link Ball Joint

Check for distortion and damage. Replace if necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

●

Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

CAUTION:

Always replace drive shaft lock nut and cotter pin.

●

When installing wheel and tire, refer to 

WT-7, "Rotation"

 .

●

After installation, check that the front wheel alignment is within specification. Refer to 

FSU-6, "Front

Wheel Alignment"

 .

LGIA0029E

Tool number

: ST29020001 (J-24319-01)

WEIA0119E

WEIA0120E

FSU-14

LOWER LINK

2006 Pathfinder

LOWER LINK

PFP:55020

Removal and Installation

EES0022Z

REMOVAL

1.

Remove the wheel and tire using power tool.

2.

Remove lower shock absorber bolt and nut using power tool.

3.

Remove stabilizer bar connecting rod lower nut using power tool, then separate connecting rod from lower
link. Refer to 

FSU-12, "Removal and Installation"

 .

4.

For 4WD models, remove the drive shaft. Refer to 

FFD-14, "Removal and Installation"

 .

5.

Remove pinch bolt from steering knuckle using power tool, then
separate lower link ball joint from steering knuckle.

6.

Remove lower link adjusting bolts and nuts, then the lower link.

NOTE:
Some vehicles may be equipped with straight (non-adjustable)
lower link bolts and washers. In order to adjust camber and
caster on these vehicles, first replace the lower link bolts and
washers with adjustable (cam) bolts and washers.

7.

Remove the jounce bumper from the lower link.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Lower Link

Check for deformation and cracks. Replace if necessary.

Lower Link Bushing

Check for distortion and damage. Replace if necessary.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

●

Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to 

FSU-5, "Components"

 .

●

When installing wheel and tire, refer to 

WT-7, "Rotation"

 .

●

After installation, check that the front wheel alignment is within specification. Refer to 

FSU-6, "Front

Wheel Alignment"

 .

LEIA0097E

WEIA0115E