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Nissan 240sx S13 Power Steering Rack and Pinion: lubrication, adjustments and more

Nissan 240sx S13 1989-1994

Power steering system consists of a rack and pinion steering gear, steering pump, fluid reservoir and flexible connecting lines. The belt-driven pump mounts on the front of the engine. The reservoir is remotely mounted. Hydraulic pressure for power-assist is produced by a rotary valve, vane type pump assembly. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and supplies it to the valve assembly. The rotary valve in the pump valve assembly supplies pressurized fluid to the rack piston.



Certain 240SX models are equipped with a High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension (HICAS) 4-wheel steering system. This system uses a dual power steering pump, rear power cylinder, HICAS solenoid, fail-safe valve, control unit and various sensors to control rear wheel angle. Rear wheel angle is based on vehicle speed and steering angle.


TESTING


HICAS POWER CYLINDER STROKE
1. Raise and support vehicle so that rear wheels are free to rotate. Have an assistant sit in driver's seat. With ignition off, move shift lever to Park or Neutral position (AT). Turn ignition on and immediately start engine.
2. Within 10 seconds after starting engine, turn steering wheel at least 20 degrees right and left from neutral mposition (at least 5 times) and depress and release brake pedal (at least 5 times). Set steering wheel to a point approximately 10 degrees from neutral position. Ensure rear wheels turn left and right alternately.

FYI: DO NOT depress brake pedal during the following steps.

3. Return steering wheel to neutral position. With engine running at greater than 2000 RPM, turn steering wheel 180 degrees in one direction from neutral position. Measure extension value of one power cylinder rod and retraction value of the other.
4. Turn steering wheel 180 degrees in other direction from neutral position. Measure extension value of one power cylinder rod and retraction value of the other. Each rod should extend 0.12" (3 mm) and retract 0.12" (3 mm). Total stroke is 0.24" (6 mm).

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PRESSURE TEST
Ensure power steering belt tension and tire pressure are correct before performing hydraulic system pressure test.

1. Disconnect high pressure hose at power steering pump. Install Pressure Gauge (J-26357 ) between power steering pump and steering gear. Open valve and bleed air from system. Check fluid level.
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DO NOT hold steering wheel at or near lock position for more than 15 seconds.

2. Start engine, and allow reservoir fluid temperature to reach 140-176°F (60-80°C). Set engine speed to 1000 RPM. Check pressure quickly with wheel turned to full-lock position on left and right sides.
3. Compare pressure reading with hydraulic system pressure specifications. If pressure is lower than specification, slowly close shutoff valve and note pressure. DO NOT close shutoff valve for more than 15 seconds.
4. If pressure now reads within specification, power steering pump is okay and steering gear is defective. If pressure reading is still not within specification, power steering pump is defective. If pressure reading is higher than specification, check power steering pump control valve. Remove pressure gauge and bleed system.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS

STEERING WHEEL TURNING TORQUE
1. Park vehicle on dry, level surface. Ensure tire pressure is correct. Apply parking brake. Start and run engine until fluid temperature is 140-176°F (60-80°C). Attach spring scale to steering wheel.
2. Measure steering wheel turning torque after steering wheel has been turned 360 degrees from center position. Turning torque should be less than 9 lbs. (4.1 kg). If turning torque is not within specification, check rack sliding force to determine condition of steering gear.


LUBRICATION


CAPACITY AND FLUID TYPE
Fluid capacity is approximately 1 qt. (.9L) for all models.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Check fluid level when fluid is cold with engine off. To check and fill, remove fluid level gauge from reservoir and check fluid level. Fluid should be between MIN and MAX marks on the gauge dipstick. Add fluid through dipstick opening (as needed), and recheck. DO NOT overfill.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING
DO NOT hold steering wheel at or near lock position for more than 15 seconds.

1. Raise and support vehicle. While adding fluid, turn steering wheel quickly from lock to lock until fluid level no longer decreases and no bubbles exist.
2. Start engine and allow to idle. Repeat step 1). Perform procedure until fluid level no longer decreases and no bubbles exist.

HICAS SYSTEM BLEEDING
DO NOT allow power steering fluid to drop below inlet port of reservoir during bleeding procedure.

1. Raise and support vehicle so that wheels are free to rotate. Have an assistant sit in driver's seat. With ignition off, move shift lever to Park or Neutral position (A/T). Turn ignition on and immediately start engine.
2. Within 10 seconds after starting engine, turn steering wheel at least 20 degrees right and left from neutral position (at least 5 times) and depress and release brake pedal (at least 5 times). Set steering wheel to a point approximately 10 degrees from neutral position. Ensure rear wheels turn left and right alternately.
3. Return steering wheel to neutral position. With engine idling, turn steering wheel 180 degrees to right. Loosen right power cylinder bleeder screw to bleed air, then retighten. Return steering wheel to neutral position.
4. Turn steering wheel 180 degrees to left. Loosen left power cylinder bleeder screw to bleed air, then retighten. Return steering wheel to neutral position. Turn ignition off. Check and refill fluid reservoir as necessary.



ADJUSTMENTS


POWER STEERING PUMP BELT

FYI: Check belt deflection with engine cold.

With engine cold, apply 22 lbs. (10 kg) pressure on belt at center distance between pulleys and note belt deflection. Adjust belt tension if belt deflection is not within specification.

BELT ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Nissan S13 240sx

PINION ROTATING TORQUE AND RACK SLIDING FORCE
Rack sliding force can be checked with steering gear installed in vehicle, with tie rods and pinion shaft disconnected. Perform pinion rotating torque adjustment with steering gear assembly removed from vehicle.

Pinion Rotating Torque
1. Remove steering gear from vehicle. Install steering gear in soft-jawed vise. Drain fluid from steering gear.
2. Remove lock nut and adjusting screw. see figure. Apply locking sealant to threads and install adjusting screw. Lightly tighten adjusting screw lock nut. Tighten adjusting screw to 43-52 INCH lbs. (4.9-5.9 N.m). Loosen adjusting screw, then retighten to 1.74 INCH lbs. (.20 N.m).
3. Install Torque Adapter (J-26364 ) and INCH-lb. torque wrench on pinion shaft.
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Move rack over its entire stroke several times. Measure pinion rotating torque within range of 180 degrees from neutral position. Stop gear at point of maximum torque. Remove adapter and torque wrench. Loosen adjusting screw, and then tighten to 43 INCH lbs. (4.9 N.m).
4. Loosen adjusting screw 70-110 degrees, then tighten lock nut. Ensure adjusting screw does not turn when lock nut is tightened.
5. Install Torque Adapter (J-26364 ) and an INCH-lb. torque wrench on pinion shaft. See Fig. 2 . Measure turning torque required to rotate pinion. If pinion rotating torque is not as specified, repeat step 2). If after readjustment, pinion rotating torque is still not as specified, replace steering gear.

PINION ROTATING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (Measure within 100 degrees of neutral position)

Rack Sliding Force
1. Position wheels in straight-ahead position. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove cotter pins and nuts from tie rod ends. Disconnect tie rod ends from steering knuckles. Remove lower steering column joint from pinion shaft. Start engine, and run it at idle. Ensure fluid has reached normal operating temperature.
2. Attach a spring scale at lock nut of tie rod end. Check steering gear for rack sliding force around neutral position of rack stroke. Slowly pull tie rod in a range of 0.5" (11.5 mm). Observe spring scale reading. If rack sliding force is not within specified range, overhaul steering gear assembly.

RACK SLIDING FORCE SPECIFICATIONS (Checked at neutral point of rack stroke)


REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION


HICAS POWER CYLINDER

Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Note position of hoses on power cylinder. Disconnect and mark hoses at power cylinder. Drain fluid. Plug hoses and openings in power cylinder.
2. Remove power cylinder lower links from axle housing. Remove power cylinder attaching bolts. Remove power cylinder from suspension member. Remove clamps from dust boots. Move dust boots toward outer links.
3. Remove lower link assemblies from power cylinder. Loosen stroke stopper lock nuts and remove stroke stopper.
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Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Apply locking compound to inner ball joint threads. Adjust clearance between ball joint socket and stroke stopper to 0.114-0.122" (2.9-3.1 mm). Tighten nuts and bolts to specification.

POWER STEERING PUMP

Removal
1. If removing pulley, loosen power steering pump pulley nut. Loosen pump adjusting bolts, and remove pump drive belt. Note angle of pressure hose installation on power steering pump.
2. Disconnect high pressure hose from power steering pump. Drain fluid. Remove suction line from pump. Remove pump retaining bolts and pump.

Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Replace all sealing washers and "O" rings. Lubricate all sealing washers and "O" rings with ATF before installation.
2. Tighten connector bolts to specification. Adjust belt tension. Fill and bleed system.

POWER RACK AND PINION

Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Position wheels in straight-ahead position. Note position of hoses on steering gear. Disconnect and mark hoses at steering gear. Drain fluid. Plug ,hoses and openings in steering gear.
2. Remove tie rod cotter pins and nuts at steering knuckles. Using Ball Joint Separator (HT72520000 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles.
3. Remove steering column lower joint-to-pinion shaft retaining bolt. With wheels in straight-ahead position, place punch mark on lower joint and pinion shaft for reassembly reference.
4. Remove lower joint from pinion shaft. Remove steering gear mounting bracket retaining bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage.

Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Install NEW "O" rings on hoses (if equipped). Coat "O" rings with ATF before installation. Ensure proper sized "O" ring is installed. Align reference mark on lower joint and pinion shaft.
2. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. Fill and bleed system. Check front wheel alignment if tie rods were removed or steering gear was overhauled.


HICAS TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS - Ft. Lbs. (N.m)




POWER STEERING PUMP TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS - Ft. Lbs. (N.m)



STEERING GEAR TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS - Ft. Lbs. (N.m)







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Nissan 240sx S13 1989-1994

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