1984-86 Stanza, 1987-88 Stanza 2WD Wagon

Disassembly

1. Install steering gear in suitable vise, then disconnect cylinder tube and drain fluid.
2. Measure pinion rotating torque and rack starting force. If they are not within specifications, adjust retainer adjusting screw. If adjustments cannot be made, replace steering gear assembly. Pinion rotating torque should be less than 16 inch lbs. on 1984-86 200SX and Sentra, Stanza Wagon and 1985-86 Maxima or 5.2-8.7 inch lbs. on all other models. Rack starting force should be less than 55 lbs. on 1984-86 200SX, 1985-86 Maxima and Sentra, 15-37 lbs. on 1984 Sentra, 40 lbs. on Stanza Wagon or 22-35 lbs. on all other models.

Fig. 17 Rack & pinion type power steering gear disassembled. 1984-86 Pulsar, Sentra, Stanza & 200SX, 1982-86 Maxima & 1987-88 Stanza 2WD Wagon (Typical):

3. Remove boot clamps and breather hoses, then flatten lock plates, Fig. 17.
4. Disconnect tie rod inner socket and remove tie rod assembly from steering gear assembly.
5. Remove tie rod inner socket from tie rod outer socket. Do not disassemble inner socket assembly and outer socket assembly.
6. On cylinder tube ``L,'' disconnect flare nut at cylinder side, then the flare nut at pinion housing side. Remove cylinder tube ``R'' in same manner.
7. Loosen adjusting screw locknut and remove retainer adjusting screw, then remove retainer.
8. Remove rear cover cap.
9. Remove and discard snap ring, housing plug, and self locking nut.
10. Remove pinion assembly by tapping lightly with plastic hammer.
11. Separate rear housing cover from pinion, then remove and discard rear oil seal.
12. Remove and discard O-ring.
13. Remove and discard pinion oil seal.
14. Scribe alignment marks on and remove cylinder end housing.
15. Disconnect cylinder locknut and separate cylinder from pinion housing.
16. Remove and discard rack bushing assembly, then the cylinder O-rings.
17. Remove rack assembly, then the inner tube assembly.
18. Remove and discard pinion housing O-ring.
19. Remove and discard rack packing, then remove back-up collar.

Assembly

Assemble power steering gear and linkage in reverse order of disassembly, observing following instructions:

Fig. 18 Installing tie rod to rack:

1. Apply suitable locking compound to threaded portion of inner socket and install inner socket on racket end together with new lock plate, ensuring that lock plate ratchet enters groove at end portion of rack, Fig. 18.
2. Tighten inner socket and securely bend lock plate at two cutout portions of inner socket.
3. Install locknut and outer socket on inner socket, then torque locknut to 27-34 ft. lbs. with tie rod length set to specifications. Tie rod length should be 1.677 inches on Stanza, 1.689 inches on 200SX, or 6.93 inches on other models.
4. Measure rack stroke. Rack stroke should be 2.894 inches on both sides on 1984-86 Pulsar, 2.24 inches on pinion gear side and 2.76 inches opposite pinion gear side on 1984-86 200SX and 1985-86 Maxima, 2.362 inches on pinion gear side and 2.894 inches opposite pinion gear side on 1984-86 Sentra, or 2.205 inches on pinion gear side and 2.638 inches opposite pinion gear side on 1984-86 Stanza. On Stanza Wagon, rack stroke should measure 2.11 inches on pinion gear side and 2.56 inches opposite pinion gear side with manual transaxle, or 2.01 inches on pinion gear side and 2.46 inches opposite pinion gear side with automatic transaxle.
5. Apply suitable sealant to contact surfaces between boot and cylinder before installing boot.
6. Position breather hose properly, then tighten boot clamp.
7. Ensure that rack operates smoothly, that boot clamp is not deformed, and that clamp is securely in place.
8. Temporarily tighten cylinder tube flare nuts at pinion house side, then at cylinder side, and torque to 29-36 ft. lbs. on Stanza, or 14-20 ft. lbs. on all other models.
9. Apply suitable lubricant to rack contact surfaces, then install retainer on pinion housing.

Fig. 19 Installing rear cover:

10. Install retainer spring and cover, fully tighten adjusting screw, back off adjusting screw 20°-25° on Stanza or 10°-15° on all other models exc. 200SX, Stanza Wagon and 1985-86 Maxima and tighten locknut, Fig. 19.
11. Measure pinion rotating torque and rack starting force, adjusting as necessary.
12. Install new pinion oil seal on pinion housing.
13. Coat O-ring with automatic transmission fluid and install.
14. Coat new rear pinion oil seal with automatic transmission fluid and install on rear cover housing.
15. Wrap cellophane tape around pinion serrations, then install rear housing cover assembly on pinion.
16. Apply suitable lubricant to gear surfaces of pinion and rack, then install pinion assembly in pinion housing.
17. Install snap ring, then torque self locking nut to 14-19 ft. lbs.
18. Install retainer and adjust pinion rotating torque.
19. Coat housing plug with suitable lubricant, coat threads of housing plug with suitable sealant, and torque plug to 36-51 ft. lbs.
20. Stake housing plug at three places.
21. Set rear cover cap at neutral position. Rear cover set angle should be -5° to 5° on Stanza, 10° to 20° on 200SX and 1985-86 Maxima, 16.5°-26.5° on Stanza Wagon or 39° to 29° on all other models.
22. Apply automatic transmission fluid to new O-ring, then install O-ring on cylinder.
23. Position cylinder on pinion housing, aligning scribe marks.
24. Torque cylinder locknut to 58-80 ft. lbs.
25. Wrap cellophane tape around rack end, place new rack bush assembly and back-up washer onto rack end, and align cylinder end housing at scribe marks.
26. Torque cylinder end housing to 58-80 ft. lbs.
27. Install cylinder tubes, then tie rod and breather hose.