Replacement steering rack Nissan Qashqai
Content
The steering rack in any car is involved in converting steering axle turns into front wheel turns. A fairly good quality rack and pinion steering rack is installed on the Nissan Qashqai, according to the maintenance card of this data, it is recommended to replace the mechanism every 40-50 km, and in some cases more often. Consider situations when a steering rack needs to be replaced, and how you can do it yourself.
Steering rack
Nissan Qashqai is equipped with a rack and pinion steering mechanism, the advantages of which are the ability to quickly transfer forces from the steering wheel to the wheels due to fewer rods and hinges, compactness and simplicity of design. This device consists of two main components: a housing and a rack drive. In addition to the steering mechanism, there is also a system of rods and hinges connected to the rack.
The gear is mounted on the steering shaft, being in constant contact with the rack. When the flywheel rotates, the rail moves horizontally, moving the rods connected to it. The links drive the front wheels, or rather, they move the wheels. The main purpose of the rack and pinion is to convert the rotational movements of the steering wheel into reciprocating movements of the steering mechanism.
Video: Nissan Qashqai steering rack repair
The steering rack is constantly involved in driving the car, in fact, it connects the suspension to the steering wheel, so any collision with potholes, pits, hills and other obstacles affects the normal operation of the steering rack, leading to breakdowns and premature replacement of this component.
Causes of malfunction
The steering of Qashqai is valued for its strength and durability, but even it fails and leads to breakage. The main reason for the failure is the poor quality of the roads, from which the rack receives significant return forces from the wheels, which causes rapid abrasion and even breakage of the teeth, which subsequently leads to the inability to control the maneuver. In addition, the main causes of the malfunction include the following:
- untimely replacement of the hydraulic fluid in the power steering, which leads to additional loads on the rail;
- repeated overloads of the gearbox, causing clogging of the sealing elements of the power steering;
- mechanical damage;
- untimely replacement of the slider, stem and seals.
The unlikely reasons include, but, the operation of the car in too humid and hot weather, from which raids appear on the parts, which complicates the control process.
Recommended service life 50 km; when repairing the steering mechanism, the period can be extended up to 000 km. It should also be understood that if the rail is not replaced or repaired, if it fails, this will lead to the failure of other mechanisms and systems with which it interacts.
Symptoms of a malfunction
To notice the malfunction is quite simple, it is manifested by the following symptoms:
- power steering fluid leakage (smudges under the car), leading to problems with cornering;
- when driving, a rather loud knock is heard, often it is the cause of failure of the suspension, but if everything is in order, then the problem lies in the worn rail, bearings or support sleeve;
- failure of the power amplifier (on some trim levels Qashqai);
- if the steering wheel turns too easily or too tight;
- steering wheel position deviation from fixed values;
- independent steering wheel;
- when exiting a turn, the steering wheel does not return very well to its original fixed position.
Power steering scheme
Of course, before carrying out any replacement or repair, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics at the service station.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing
Replacing the Qashqai rail on your own is a rather troublesome and time-consuming task, so you should seriously evaluate its strengths. On average, assembly and disassembly takes from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the existing skills. The hardest part of the replacement is the need to remove the subframe, which is almost impossible to do on your own, so you need at least one more assistant. Replacement must be carried out starting with the removal of the old rail according to the following plan:
- the machine must be installed on a gazebo or on a raised platform;
- on a qashqai with a hydraulic booster, you must first release the high-pressure pipes, then drain the liquid and clean the container, on a qashqai with a hydraulic booster, everything is much more complicated - it is still advisable to take the car to the service station;
- in the cabin, you need to remove the protective cover of the cardan joint of the intermediate steering shaft;
- the coupling bolt of the terminal of the cardan shaft of the intermediate shaft with the steering shaft is removed;
- the subframe is removed;
- the nut securing the steering rack to the subframe is unscrewed;
This is how the steering gear nuts are located.
- the steering rack is removed.
The new steering rack is installed in the reverse order, it is recommended to replace it with the original one.
Removing the stretcher
To remove the subframe, you will need wrenches for 14 and 17, as well as nuts, a socket head for 19 and 22, you may also need a wrench and a ball joint remover. The subframe is removed as follows:
- loosening wheel bolts
- the front of the car is raised to a height, preferably on jacks;
- the front wheels are removed;
- the steering wheel is placed in a straight position;
- the intermediate shaft joint housing is disassembled;
- the bolt of the terminal connection is unscrewed;
- the terminal connection is loosened with a flat screwdriver, then removed;
- the protective cap is removed from the stabilization frame assembly;
- the hinge axis is clamped and the nut securing the hinge to the bracket is unscrewed;
- the finger is removed from the shock absorber strut;
- the nut holding the hinge pin is unscrewed;
- a ball bearing puller is used;
- the finger is pressed from the steering knuckle lever;
- the end of the steering rod turns to the side;
- the fixing nut of the ball joint is unscrewed and the fixing bolt is removed;
- three screws holding the bracket are unscrewed to disassemble it;
- the bolt of the rear engine mount is unscrewed to remove the rear mount;
- then you need to put something strong under the subframe or install a jack;
- the screws of the rear amplifier of the front axle subframe are unscrewed to disassemble it;
- unscrew the screws securing the front subframe;
- the subframe can be carefully removed.
New steering rack in place. Issue price: approximately 27000 with installation.
It feels like the steering wheel has become a little tighter than before, nothing knocks or creaks.