Removal and installation
1. Place the vehicle on level ground with the wheels straight ahead and check that the steering wheel is in neutral (see below).
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the cover or horn key. Disconnect the wires from the key (photo).
20.3. Remove the horn key, disconnect the wires...
4. Check that the steering wheel and column marks are aligned (photo). If there are no marks, make them yourself.
20.4... Make alignment marks between the steering wheel and column (early type)...
5. Unscrew the steering wheel lock nut (photo), remove (where is it used) spring washer.
20.5.... unscrew the steering wheel lock nut
6. Grab the steering wheel frame, release it from the shaft, then remove it from the grooves of the steering column. Some vehicles have two threaded holes in the center of the wheel to allow the use of a small two-legged steering wheel puller.
7. When installing, completely clean and lubricate the grooves and mating surfaces of the steering wheel and column.
8. Install the steering wheel on the column, aligning the marks made during removal (photo). The wheel should be in neutral position (see below), with a key in the lower half of the wheel. Check that the turn signal is working correctly.
20.8. Align the marks (marked with arrows - late type) when installing the steering wheel
9. Install the spring washer (where is it used) and a nut. Tighten the nut with the specified tightening force Specification. Connect the wires to the horn key, install the cover or key, then reconnect the battery.
Neutral steering wheel position
10. Neutral position when the steering wheel is placed perpendicular to the panel (that is, the Nissan emblem is parallel to the dashboard), the horn button is in the lower half of the steering wheel and the wheels are in the straight forward position.
11. If adjustment is required, first check that the wheels are straight and that the tie rods are the correct specified length (see Chapter 36 of this Section). Also check that the steering gear is exactly in neutral (use the alignment marks on the pinion housing on later models) and that the lower steering column connection is installed correctly. Finally, check that the steering wheel and column reference points are perfectly aligned. This procedure must be performed whenever the steering system is removed.
12. If the neutral position has changed, it can only be due to steering components that have been distorted or damaged, worn or improperly assembled. They need to be checked carefully.
13. If adjustment is necessary, reinstall the wheel in the grooves of the steering column. If the correct position is between two grooves, it is acceptable to make minor adjustments to the tie rods, as described in Chapter 36 of this Section.