Nissan Maxima. Manual - part 1117

POWER STEERING FLUID

ST-13

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1. Turn steering wheel several times from full left stop to full right stop with engine off.

CAUTION:

Do not allow the fluid level to drop below the MIN line.

2. Start engine and hold steering wheel at each lock position for three seconds at idle to check for fluid leak-

age.

3. Repeat step 2 above several times at approximately three second intervals.

CAUTION:

Do not hold the steering wheel in a locked position for more than 10 seconds. (There is the possi-

bility that oil pump may be damaged.)

4. Check fluid for bubbles or white contamination.
5. Stop engine if bubbles or white contamination is present. Perform step 2 and 3 above after waiting until

bubbles or white contamination disappear.

6. Stop the engine, and then check fluid level.

ST-14

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STEERING WHEEL

STEERING WHEEL

Inspection

INFOID:0000000009465771

INSTALLATION CONDITION

• Check installation conditions of steering gear assembly, front suspension assembly, axle and steering col-

umn assembly.

• Check if movement exists when steering wheel is moved up and down, to the left and right and to the axial

direction.

• Check steering gear assembly bolts and nut for looseness. Refer to 

ST-26, "Exploded View"

.

STEERING WHEEL PLAY

• Turn steering wheel so that front wheels come to the straight-ahead position. Start engine and lightly turn

steering wheel to the left and right until front wheels start to move. Measure steering wheel movement on the

outer circumference.

• When the measurement value is outside the standard value, check backlash for each joint of steering col-

umn assembly and installation condition of steering gear assembly.

NEUTRAL POSITION OF STEERING WHEEL

• Make sure that steering gear assembly, steering column assembly and steering wheel are installed in the

correct position.

• Perform neutral position inspection after wheel alignment. Refer to 

FSU-6, "Inspection and Adjustment"

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• Set vehicle to the straight-ahead position and confirm steering wheel is in the neutral position.

• Loosen outer socket lock nut and turn inner socket to left and right equally to make fine adjustments if steer-

ing wheel is not in the neutral position.

STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE

1. Park vehicle on a level, dry surface and set parking brake.
2. Start engine.
3. Bring power steering fluid up to adequate operating temperature. Make sure the fluid temperature is

approximately 50 - 80

°C (122 - 176°F).

Tires need to be inflated to normal pressure.

4. Check steering wheel turning force using Tool when steering

wheel has been turned 360 degrees from the neutral position.

5. If steering wheel turning force is out of specification, check rack sliding force. 

Steering wheel axial end play : Refer to 

ST-37, "Steering Wheel"

Steering wheel play : Refer to 

ST-37, "Steering Wheel"

Tool number

:    —   (J-44372)

Steering wheel turning 
force

: Refer to 

ST-37, "Steering 

Wheel"

WGIA0035E

STEERING WHEEL

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a. While pulling outer socket slowly in 

±11.5 mm (±0.453 in) range

from neutral position, make sure rack sliding force is within

specification using Tool.

b. If rack sliding force is not within specification, replace steering

gear assembly.

6. If rack sliding force is OK, inspect steering column. Refer to 

ST-

23, "Removal and Installation"

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FRONT WHEEL TURNING ANGLE

• Check front wheel turning angle after toe-in inspection. Place front

wheels on turning radius gauges and rear wheels on stands.

Check the maximum inner and outer wheel turning angles for LH

and RH road wheels.

• With the engine at idle, turn steering wheel from full left stop to full

right stop and measure the turning angles.

• Measure rack stroke in neutral position if angles are outside the

specified value.

Tool number

:    —   (J-44372)

Rack sliding force

: Refer to 

ST-38, "Steering Gear"

SST090B

FAA0016D

Inner wheel angle (A)

: Refer to 

ST-37, "Steering 

Angle"

Outer wheel angle (B)

: Refer to 

ST-37, "Steering 

Angle"

SGIA0055E

Rack stroke in neutral 
position (L)

: Refer to 

ST-38, "Steering 

Gear"

AWGIA0003GB

ST-16

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POWER STEERING OIL PUMP

POWER STEERING OIL PUMP

Inspection

INFOID:0000000009465772

RELIEF OIL PRESSURE

CAUTION:

Make sure that belt tension is normal before starting the following procedure.
1. Connect the Tool between oil pump discharge connector and

high-pressure hose. Bleed air from the hydraulic circuit while

opening the shut-off valve fully. Refer to 

ST-12, "Inspection"

.

2. Start engine. Run engine until power steering fluid temperature

reaches 50 - 80

°C (122 - 176°F).

CAUTION:

• Leave the shut-off valve of the Tool fully open while start-

ing and running engine. If engine is started with the shut-

off valve closed, the hydraulic pressure in oil pump goes

up to the relief pressure along with unusual increase of

power steering fluid temperature.

• Be sure to keep hose clear of belts and other parts when

engine is started.

3. Fully close the shut-off valve with engine at idle and measure

the relief oil pressure.

CAUTION:

Do not keep shut-off valve closed for 10 seconds or longer.

4. Open the shut-off valve slowly after measuring. Replace oil pump if the relief oil pressure is outside the

standard.

5. After inspection, disconnect the Tool from hydraulic circuit, then add power steering fluid and perform air

bleeding. Refer to 

ST-12, "Inspection"

.

Tool numbers

: KV48103500 (J-26357) 
: KV48102500 (J-33914)

Relief oil pressure : Refer to 

ST-39, "Oil Pump"

SGIA0915E