## REAR SUSPENSION

### Strut

#### REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

##### 1993-94 Sentra

1. Raise the vehicle and support it safely.
2. Remove the rear wheel and brake caliper.
3. Remove the rear seat and trim panel.
4. Remove the upper strut nuts.

   WARNING
   Never remove the center strut nut until the strut is removed from the vehicle and the spring is compressed.

5. Remove the lower strut bolts and remove the strut from the vehicle.

   To install:

6. Perform final tightening on all suspension bolts when the vehicle's weight is resting on the suspension.
7. Install the strut and torque the upper mounting nuts to 18-22 ft. lbs. (25-29 Nm).
8. Torque the lower strut bolts to 72-98 ft. lbs. (98-133 Nm).
9. Install the rear seat and trim panel.
10. Lower the vehicle and have the rear end aligned.

##### 1995-97 Sentra and 200SX

1. Raise the vehicle and support it safely.
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the trim panel from the trunk to gain access to the upper mounting nuts of the strut.
4. Remove the protective cap from the upper portion of the strut.
5. Position a floor jack under the rear axle for support.

   NOTE: Note and mark the positioning of the upper strut plate to the vehicle body.

   CAUTION
   Never remove the center strut nut until the strut is removed from the vehicle and the spring is safely compressed.

6. Remove the lower strut mounting through bolt.
7. Remove the 2 upper strut mounting nuts and remove the strut from the vehicle.
8. Place the strut assembly in a vise with the special holding tool ST35652000 or in a spring compressor.
9. Loosen the piston rod locknut.
10. Compress the spring with the spring compressor then remove the piston rod locknut.

    NOTE: Before removing the strut from the coil spring, note the positioning of the strut in relationship to the coil spring for reassembly.

11. Remove the strut mounting insulator bracket, strut mounting bearing, upper spring seat, and the upper spring rubber seat.
12. Remove the strut, leaving the coil spring compressed.
13. Remove the piston boot and rebound bumper from the strut.

    To install:

14. Install the rebound bumper and the boot to the strut piston.
15. Install the strut into the coil spring, make sure the strut and spring are properly positioned.
16. Install the upper spring rubber seat, upper spring seat, strut mounting bearing, and the strut mounting insulator bracket. Make sure that the cutout on the upper spring seat is facing the outside of the vehicle.
17. Install the piston rod locknut and torque the piston rod locknut to 13-17 ft. lbs. (18-24 Nm).
18. Remove the spring compressor from the coil spring.
19. Install the strut to the vehicle and torque the 2 upper mounting nuts to 12-14 ft. lbs. (16-19 Nm).
20. Install the upper mount protective cap.
21. Install the through bolt to the lower mount of the strut. Torque the lower strut bolt to 72-87 ft. lbs. (98-118 Nm).
22. Install the trunk trim panel.
23. Install the rear wheel.
24. Lower the vehicle and perform an alignment.

##### Altima

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheels from the vehicle.
3. Support the rear axle with a jack.
4. Remove the strut lower mounting through bolts.

   NOTE: Be sure to note the position the strut upper plate to the vehicle for reinstallation purposes.

5. Remove the two nuts from the top of the strut and remove the strut as an assembly.

   CAUTION
   Do not remove the center locknut from the strut assembly until the strut is safely compressed.

6. Compress the strut coil spring with a spring compressor.
7. Remove the strut assembly center locknut.

   NOTE: Before removing the strut from the coil spring, note the positioning of the strut in relationship to the coil spring for reassembly.

8. Remove the strut leaving the coil spring compressed.

   NOTE: Mark the coil spring position to the strut assembly for reinstallation purposes.

9. To remove the spring from the strut assembly, perform the following steps:
   1. Compress the coil spring with the proper compressor tool.
   2. Remove the center retaining nut holding strut mounting insulator.
   3. Slowly decompress the coil spring.
   4. Remove the strut mounting insulator.
   5. Remove coil spring.

      To install:

10. Install the coil spring onto the strut assembly. Be sure to align the matchmarks made during the removal procedure.
11. Install the strut mounting insulator.
12. Compress the coil spring assembly.

    NOTE: It will be necessary to use a new locknut for the center retaining nut of the coil spring.

13. Install the center retaining nut and tighten the nut to 43-58 ft. lbs. (59-78 Nm). Make sure the spring is seated properly on the strut and in the mounting insulator.
14. Slowly remove the spring compressor tool.
15. Install the strut assembly into the vehicle.
16. Torque the upper strut mounting nuts to 31-40 ft. lbs. (42-54 Nm).
17. Torque the lower strut through bolt to 87-108 ft. lbs. (118-147 Nm).

    NOTE: Be sure to hold the through bolt and tighten the nuts.

18. Install the wheels, lower the vehicle and perform a front end alignment.

##### 1993-94 Maxima

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the rear seat and the parcel shelf.
3. If equipped with an adjustable shock absorber, disconnect the electrical connector from the sonar unit.
4. Remove the strut mounting cap from the strut.
5. If equipped, remove the shock absorber actuator bracket bolts and the shock absorber actuator.
6. If necessary, remove the actuator bracket-to-strut nut and the bracket.
7. Raise and safely support the vehicle; do not raise the vehicle at the parallel links or radius links. Remove the wheel(s).
8. Uncouple the rear brake hydraulic line from the strut. Then, unbolt and remove the brake assembly, wheel bearings and backing plate.

   NOTE: If equipped with disc brakes, suspend the brake caliper so the hydraulic line will not be stressed. If equipped with drum brakes, remove the entire brake assembly

9. Remove the radius rod-to-strut bolt, stabilizer bar-to-radius rod bracket bolt, radius rod bracket-to-strut bolts and both parallel links-to-strut nut/bolt.
10. Support the strut from underneath and remove the 3 strut-to-chassis nuts and lower the strut from the vehicle.

    WARNING
    Never loosen the strut center nut until the spring is compressed or serious injury or vehicle damage may occur.

    To install:

11. Install in the strut onto the vehicle and support it with the 3 mounting nuts.
12. Install both parallel links-to-strut nut and bolt, radius rod bracket-to-strut bolts, stabilizer bar-to-radius rod bracket bolt and the radius rod-to-strut bolt.
13. If removed, install the brake assembly.
14. Tighten all bolts sufficiently to safely support the vehicle; then, lower the vehicle to the ground. The final tightening of all the suspension components must be carried at with the vehicle in an unladened condition.
15. Final torque the nuts and bolts, as follows:
    - Upper strut-to-chassis nuts: 23-31 ft. lbs. (31-41 Nm)
    - Radius rod bracket-to-strut bolts: 43-58 ft. lbs. (59-78 Nm)
    - Radius rod-to-bracket bolt: 65-80 ft. lbs. (88-108 Nm)
    - Parallel links-to-strut nut/bolt: 65-87 ft. lbs. (88-118 Nm)
    - Stabilizer bar-to-radius rod bracket bolt: 43-58 ft. lbs. (59-78 Nm)
16. Connect the brake line to the strut housing.
17. If equipped, connect the electrical harness connector and the shock absorber actuator.
18. Install the strut mounting cap.
19. If the brake line was disconnected, bleed the brake system.
20. Install the rear seat and the parcel shelf.
21. Install the wheels and connect the negative battery cable.
22. Check and/or adjust the wheel alignment.

##### 1995-97 Maxima

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Support the rear torsion beam assembly with a jack.
4. Open the trunk and remove the two nuts attaching the strut to the vehicle.

   CAUTION
   Do not remove the center locknut from the strut assembly until the strut is safely compressed.

5. Remove the bolt attaching the strut to the rear torsion beam assembly and remove the strut.
6. Place the strut assembly in a vise with the special holding tool HT71780000 or in a spring compressor.
7. Loosen the piston rod locknut.

   CAUTION
   Do not remove the piston rod locknut, the spring is under tension and can cause serious personal injury.

8. Compress the spring with the spring compressor then remove the piston rod locknut.

   NOTE: Before removing the strut from the coil spring, note the positioning of the strut in relationship to the coil spring for reassembly.

9. Remove the bushing, strut mounting bracket, and the upper spring seat rubber.
10. Remove the strut, leaving the coil spring compressed.
11. Remove the bushing, bound bumper cover, and the bound bumper.

    To install:

12. Install the bound bumper, bound bumper cover, and the bushing.
13. Install the strut into the coil spring, make sure the strut and spring are properly positioned.
14. Install the upper spring seat rubber, strut mounting bracket, and the bushing. Make sure that the mounting bracket is properly positioned.

    Fig. 1:Positioning of the strut mounting brackets -- 1995-97 Maxima

15. Install the piston rod locknut then remove the spring compressor.
16. Torque the piston rod locknut to 13-17 ft. lbs. (18-24 Nm).
17. Install the strut into the vehicle and install new attaching nuts. Torque the nuts to 12-14 ft. lbs. (16-19 Nm).
18. Position the strut on the rear torsion beam and install the bolt. Torque the bolt attaching the strut to the torsion beam assembly to 72-87 ft. lbs. (98-118 Nm).
19. Remove the support from the rear torsion beam.
20. Install the rear wheels and lower the vehicle.
21. Check the vehicle's alignment and adjust as necessary.

##### 240SX

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheels from the vehicle.
3. Support the rear control arm with a jack.
4. Remove the strut lower mounting bolt.
5. Mark the upper spring plate to the vehicle for reinstallation purposes.
6. Remove the two strut upper mounting nuts.

   WARNING
   Do not remove the center piston locknut until the spring has been compressed.

7. Remove the strut from the vehicle.
8. Mark the positioning of the coil spring to the strut assembly.
9. Using a coil spring compressor, compress the spring.

   CAUTION
   If coil spring is not properly compressed serious injury could result.

10. Remove the strut assembly center locknut.

    NOTE: Before removing the strut from the coil spring, note the positioning of the strut in relationship to the coil spring for reassembly.

11. Remove the upper strut plate.
12. Remove the strut leaving the coil spring compressed.
13. Note the positioning of the spring and slowly release the spring compressor. Remove the coil spring assembly.

    To install:

14. Properly position and compress the coil spring.
15. Install the strut to the coil spring.
16. Install the upper strut plate and tighten the center locknut to 13-17 ft. lbs. (18-24 Nm). Verify that the coil spring is seated properly on the strut.
17. Remove the coil spring compressor.
18. Install the strut assembly to the vehicle.
19. Using new locking nuts, install the top mounting nuts and torque to 12-14 ft. lbs. (16-19 Nm).

    NOTE: Make sure that all final torques are done with the full weight of the vehicle on the ground.

20. Install the lower mounting nut and torque to 65-80 ft. lbs. (88-108 Nm) for 1993-94 vehicles.
21. Install the lower mounting bolt and torque to 72-87 ft. lbs. (98-118 Nm) for 1995-97 vehicles.
22. Install the rear wheels.
23. Check the vehicle alignment and adjust it as necessary.

##### 300ZX

1. Block the front wheels.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely. Remove the rear wheel(s).

   NOTE: The vehicle should be far enough off the ground so the rear spring does not support any weight.

3. Working inside the luggage compartment, turn and remove the caps above the strut mounts.
4. Disconnect the shock actuator sub-harness connector.
5. Remove the actuator fixing bolts.
6. Remove the strut mounting nuts.

   WARNING
   Do not remove the center spring retaining nut until the coil spring is compressed or serious personal injury may result.

7. Remove the mounting bolt for the strut at the lower arm (transverse link) and then lift out the strut.
8. Place the strut in a spring compressor and compress the spring.
9. Remove the center spring retaining nut. Decompress the spring and remove the spring seat, bushing, plate, and the spring.
10. Remove the strut from the spring compressor.

    To install:

11. Install the strut into the spring compressor. Install the coil spring, plate, bushing, and upper spring seat.
12. Compress the coil spring and install the center spring retaining nut. Decompress the spring and tighten the nut to 13-17 ft. lbs. (18-24 Nm).
13. Remove the strut assembly from the coil spring compressor.
14. Install the strut upper end first and secure with the nuts snugged down, but not fully tightened. Attach the lower end of the strut to the transverse link and tighten the upper nuts to 12-14 ft. lbs. (16-19 Nm). Tighten the lower mounting bolt to 57-72 ft. lbs. (77-98 Nm).
15. Install the shock absorber actuator fixing bolts, torque to 26-34 inch lbs. (3-4 Nm)
16. Reconnect the sub-harness connector.
17. Install the wheel assembly and lower the vehicle.
18. Install the strut mount caps in the trunk.
19. Inspect the vehicle alignment and adjust as necessary.