Nissan 240sx Rear Suspension (s13): upper, lower links, assemblies and more

1989-1994 Nissan 240sx S13

Nissan's 240SX and its JDM Silvia counterpart uses a MacPherson strut independent-type rear suspension. Suspension consists of a lower control arm, a lower link and 2 upper links (front and rear). Lower control arm and upper and lower links are installed on subframe with rubber bushings and pivot bolts.

Rear suspension is supported by a coil spring and strut assembly. Upper end of strut is attached to vehicle body. Lower end of strut is attached to axle housing. A differential gear carrier is installed into suspension member subframe. A stabilizer bar is used to enhance suspension control.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

Wheel bearing is pressed into wheel hub and is not adjustable. Loosen axle nut and tighten to specification. Using a dial indicator, measure axial end play at wheel hub. Maximum axial end play is .002" (.05 mm). If reading exceeds specification, replace wheel bearing assembly. Replace wheel bearing as an assembly.

BALL JOINT CHECKING

1. If ball joint is disconnected from steering knuckle assembly, go to step 4). To check ball joint end play, raise and support vehicle. Allow suspension to hang free. Check ball joint for grease leakage, and dust cover for cracks or damage.
2. Attach dial indicator to lower control arm with indicator tip against lower edge of brake caliper. Place a pry bar between lower control arm and wheel.
3. With brake pedal depressed, raise and release pry bar. Observe dial indicator. There should be zero vertical end play. If reading exceeds specification, replace lower control arm and ball joint as an assembly.
4. If ball joint is disconnected from steering knuckle, install ball joint stud nut onto ball joint. Attach torque gauge to ball joint stud nut. Measure ball joint stud turning torque. Turning torque should be 4.4-30.1 INCH lbs. (.50-3.40 N.m).
5. Using a spring gauge, measure ball joint side-to-side torque. Side-to-side torque should be 2.9-20.3 lbs. (1.3-9.2 kg). If readings exceed specification, replace lower control arm and ball joint as an assembly.

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

COIL SPRING AND STRUT ASSEMBLY

Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove strut assembly upper and lower mounting nuts. DO NOT remove piston rod lock nut. Remove coil spring and strut assembly from vehicle.
2. Secure lower end of strut assembly in a soft-jawed vise. Loosen, but DO NOT remove, piston rod lock nut. Compress spring with spring compressor, and remove piston rod lock nut. Remove spring from strut assembly.

Inspection
Check strut for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension. Check for oil leakage. Check piston for cracks, deformation or other damage.

Installation
1. Ensure flat coil spring surface is facing upward. Install spring onto strut assembly. When installing upper spring seat, ensure that larger inner diameter side of lower bushing is facing outside of vehicle and smaller inner diameter side of lower bushing is facing towards vehicle. If installing a new set of performance coilovers then please do follow the manufacturer install directions that are included with it. Some recommended coilovers manufacturers include JIC, Tein and Tanabe.
2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification.

HUB AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY: REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Raise and support your Nissan 240sx. Remove wheel. Depress brake pedal and remove wheel bearing lock nut. Remove brake caliper, and wire aside. Remove rotor. Separate drive shaft from hub and knuckle assembly by tapping shaft inward with soft-faced hammer.
2. Remove lower ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate ball joint from hub and knuckle assembly. Remove lower strut assembly and upper and lower links from hub and knuckle assembly. See figure. Remove hub and knuckle assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. If installing a 5 lug conversion kit then please follow the recommended install procedure that may be included with the kit.

LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT: REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Ball joint is not serviced separately. Entire lower control arm must be replaced.

1. Raise and support your Nissan 240sx. Allow suspension to hang free. Remove wheel. Remove lower ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate ball joint from hub and knuckle assembly. Remove stabilizer bar connecting rod at lower control arm. Remove 2 lower control arm pivot bolts at suspension member. See figure. Remove lower control arm.
2. Perform ball joint inspection (located on top of page). If ball joint does not meet specifications, replace lower control arm and ball joint as an assembly.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten lower control arm pivot bolts with vehicle on ground. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification.

UPPER AND LOWER LINKS: REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Raise and support your Nissan 240sx. Remove wheel. To maintain wheel alignment adjustment, mark upper and lower links and adjusting bolts at suspension member for reassembly reference.
2. Remove nuts and bolts retaining links to suspension member and hub and knuckle assembly. Disconnect lower end of shock absorber to remove rear upper link. Remove links. See figure.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts of upper and lower links to specification with vehicle on ground. Check wheel alignment.

STABILIZER BAR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Raise and support your Nissan 240sx. Allow suspension to hang free. Remove wheels. Remove stabilizer bar connecting rod nuts at lower control arm. Mark stabilizer bar clamps for installation reference. Remove stabilizer bar clamps and stabilizer bar. See figure.
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten stabilizer bar nuts and bolts with vehicle on ground. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification.

SUSPENSION MEMBER

1. Raise and support your Nissan 240sx. Remove wheels. Remove exhaust pipe. Disconnect drive shaft from differential and companion flange. Remove brake calipers, and wire aside. Remove strut assembly upper end nuts. DO NOT remove piston rod lock nut.
2. Support rear suspension member. Remove suspension member mounting nuts and bolts. See figure. Remove suspension member. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. Check wheel alignment.

WHEEL BEARING REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Raise and support your Nissan 240sx. Remove wheel. Remove hub and knuckle assembly. Remove bolts securing wheel bearing and hub assembly to knuckle. Remove wheel bearing from knuckle.
2. Press wheel bearing assembly out of hub. Using bearing puller, remove bearing race from hub. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification.

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TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

• Axle Nut: 152-203 (206-275)
• Ball Joint Nut: 52-63 (71-86)
• Brake Caliper Bolt: 28-38 (38-52)
• Differential Housing Mounting Bolt: 72-87 (98-118)
• Differential Housing Mounting Nut: 32-41 (43-55)
• Drive Shaft-To-Companion Flange Nut: 25-32 (34-44)
• Drive Shaft-To-Differential Nut: 29-32 (39-44)
• Front Upper Link Bolt: 57-72 (77-98)
• Lower Control Arm Pivot Bolt: 57-72 (77-98)
• Lower Link Bolt-To-Hub & Knuckle: 36-51 (49-69)
• Lower Link Bolt-To-Suspension Member: 51-65 (69-88)
• Piston Rod Lock Nut: 13-18 (18-24)
• Rear Upper Link Bolt-To-Hub & Knuckle: 57-72 (77-98)
• Rear Upper Link Bolt-To-Suspension Member: 51-65 (69-88)
• Stabilizer Bar Clamp Bolt: 32-41 (43-55)
• Strut-To-Body Nut: 12-14 (16-19)
• Strut-To-Knuckle Nut: 65-80 (88-108)
• Wheel Bearing Hub-To-Knuckle Bolt: 58-72 (78-98)
• Wheel Lug Nut: 72-87 (98-118)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS INCH Lbs. (N.m)

• Stabilizer Bar Connecting Rod Nut: 80-106 (9-12)

1989-1994 Nissan 240sx S13

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