Diagnostics and replacement of the steering mechanism is one of the most labor-intensive operations in suspension maintenance Nissan Almera N16. Over time, the bushings wear out, play appears or hydraulic fluid leaks in models with hydraulic booster. Understanding that how to remove steering rack, will allow you to save significant money on car service costs by doing the work yourself in a garage.
The process requires careful preparation, since the unit is mounted in a hard-to-reach place under the bottom of the car and is connected to the steering shaft passing through the engine compartment. It is important to consider design features Nissan Almera, where space is limited and access to mounting bolts is often difficult with exhaust system components and subframes. The correct sequence of actions will prevent damage to other vehicle components during dismantling.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before starting any physical impact on vehicle components, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions and prepare the appropriate set of tools. For Nissan Almera N16 Access to the bottom will be required, so a lift or quality jack stands are a must. Working on uneven surfaces or using unstable stands may result in personal injury or body damage.
The standard kit for dismantling the steering mechanism includes socket and socket wrenches of sizes 12, 14, 17 and 19 mm, as well as a 12 mm socket for the shaft mounting bolts. You also cannot do without pliers for removing retaining rings, a hammer for knocking out pin ends and a steering rod puller. Don't forget about a container for draining oil from the power steering and a rag to remove smudges.
It is critical to prepare the area under the car, since when the power steering (power steering) hoses are disconnected, fluid will inevitably leak out. Use a deep basin to prevent liquid from spilling onto the asphalt or ground. Penetrating lubricant and a can of air may be required to remove rusted subframe bolts or rack brackets.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to loosen the wheel nuts while the vehicle is on the ground and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid short circuit when working on the wiring of ABS sensors or airbags.
Removing steering rods and ends
The first step in working under the car is to disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckles. This is necessary in order to free the mechanism from the load from the wheels and simplify its removal. Use a special puller for tie rod ends to avoid damaging the threads and boots. If you don’t have a puller, you can carefully knock out the finger with a hammer using a wooden block.
Before unscrewing the lug nuts, be sure to mark the position of the threaded part on the rod. This will allow you to set the wheel alignment as close as possible to the factory settings during reassembly, saving time on adjustments. Measure the distance from the tip to the rack body or make notches with a marker.
After disconnecting the tips, you must remove the protective rubber boots. They often stick to the rack body or become deformed over time. Carefully pry them off and remove them, being careful not to tear the rubber if you plan to reuse them, although it is better to install new ones immediately.
- 🔧 Use a puller to quickly and safely remove finger tips.
- 📏 Be sure to measure the thread length to maintain wheel alignment angles.
- 💧 Place a container under the rail to collect any remaining oil from the system.
- Once a year
- Once every 2 years
- Only in case of breakdown
- Never checked
Disconnecting the steering shaft in the cabin and engine compartment
The most difficult stage is separating the steering shaft from the steering rack gear. In the model Nissan Almera N16 the shaft passes through the engine shield into the passenger compartment. You will need to remove the plastic protection under the steering column in the cabin by unscrewing several screws. Inspect the joint between the shaft and the rack from below the car.
A cardan joint is installed on the shaft, secured with two bolts. Unscrew these bolts and disconnect the shaft. If the bolts do not come off, you may need to cut them off with a grinder, as they often stick. After disconnection, the shaft should move down freely, making room for the rack to exit.
It is important to fix the steering wheel in the passenger compartment so that the shaft does not rotate and damage the steering angle sensor (if equipped) or go astray. Also check the condition of the boot on the shaft in the engine compartment - it may tear when dismantling the rack.
⚠️ Attention: Do not turn the steering wheel in the passenger compartment with the rack removed, as this may lead to failure of the steering angle sensor or disrupt the operation of the ESP system.
☑️ Preparation for shaft dismantling
Removing the subframe fastenings and brackets
Steering rack on Nissan Almera N16 It is attached to the subframe with two bolts and to the body with additional brackets. Often, to conveniently remove the entire rail, you need to lower the subframe a little. To do this, loosen the rear subframe mounting bolts, but do not unscrew them completely. This will create a small amount of play necessary for the rack housing to come out.
Sometimes the bolts securing the rack brackets to the subframe are located in a hard-to-reach place where there is no direct access with a key. In such cases, use a gimbal attachment or extension. If access is very limited, it may be necessary to remove parts of the exhaust system to expand the space.
Pay special attention to hydraulic pipes. Disconnect the high and low pressure hoses. Use plugs or clean rags to cover the holes in the rail and hoses, preventing dirt from getting into the system. This is critical to maintaining the functionality of the power steering pump.
- 🔩 Loosen the subframe bolts to create the necessary play.
- 🛢️ Plug the hose holes immediately after disconnecting.
- 🔍 Check the condition of the subframe rubber pads.
Why do you need to lower the subframe?
Lowering the subframe allows you to increase the gap between the bottom and the subframe, which makes it possible to easily remove the rack without damaging the suspension elements or the body.
Final removal of the mechanism
Once all the fasteners are loosened, the hoses are disconnected, and the shaft is disconnected, you can begin to remove the rack. Gently rocking the mechanism, remove it from its seat. Be extremely careful not to snag ABS sensor wires or brake lines.
Remove the rack from under the car. It is better to do this together, since the mechanism is quite heavy and has long dimensions that can get caught on the suspension elements when tilted. Clean the installation area from dirt and rust so that the new fasteners fit tightly.
If you are planning a repair rather than a replacement, then you need to remove the rail as carefully as possible so as not to damage the housing. Place it on a soft surface and inspect it for visible cracks or severe corrosion damage.
Before removing the rack, take a photograph of the location of all hoses and wires so that during installation you do not confuse their attachment points.
Fastener Torque Chart
When reinstalling, it is extremely important to observe the tightening torques of the bolts. Violating this rule may result in steering wheel vibrations or loosening of the mount while driving. Use a torque wrench for fine tuning.
| Fastening element | Bolt size | Tightening torque (Nm) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolts for fastening to the subframe | M12 | 80-90 | Use thread locker |
| Universal joint bolts | M10 | 45-50 | Replace with new ones |
| Tie rod nuts | M14 | 30-40 | Remove the lock washers |
| Subframe bolts | M14 | 110-120 | After tightening the rack |
Accurate tightening of the universal joint bolts and brackets is the key to the absence of vibrations on the steering wheel after installation.
Features of working with power steering and power steering systems
If your Nissan Almera equipped with electric power steering (EPS), the procedure for removing the rack has its own nuances. In this case, you must disconnect the electrical connector on the amplifier control unit. You should also pay attention to the fact that cars with electric power steering often use a steering shaft with a torque sensor, which requires careful handling.
It is important to understand that electric power steering systems do not have hydraulic hoses, which simplifies the disconnection process, but complicates diagnostics. If you are removing a power steering rack, be sure to bleed the system after installation to remove air from the circuit. To do this, you need to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times with the engine running.
When working with hydraulics, monitor the fluid level in the expansion tank. Air in the system can cause the pump to run noisily and cause a lack of steering effort. Use only the manufacturer's recommended fluid (usually ATF Dexron II or III).
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to turn on the power steering pump with the hoses disconnected or with an empty reservoir - this will lead to instant failure of the pump.
Frequently asked questions during dismantling
Owners Nissan Almera N16 often face questions about the compatibility of parts and the specifics of the process. Below are answers to the most common questions that arise during the planning stage.
Is it possible to remove the rack without lowering the subframe?
Theoretically, it is possible if the rack does not have severe deformations and the subframe is not underestimated. However, in practice, lowering the subframe makes the job much easier and reduces the risk of damage to the suspension components.
Do I need to do a wheel alignment after removing the rack?
Yes, definitely. Even if the length of the rods and their position are maintained, changing the suspension geometry during dismantling and installation inevitably introduces errors that need to be corrected on the bench.
How to distinguish a power steering rack from an electric power steering?
The power steering rack has two high and low pressure hoses going to the pump. The electric booster has an electrical connector and a more compact housing without hydraulic pipes.
What to do if the fastening bolts are stuck?
Use penetrating lubricant (WD-40) and heat the bolts with a blowtorch or hair dryer. If this does not help, you will have to use a grinder or chisel to cut off the bolt.