My turn for asking for some advise on the Z now, (might even be the first time!)

 

Anyway, the Z nearly didn't pass it MOT becuase of play in the rear rack.

Having done a search for this, most previous threads mention the ball joints, but they're fine.

 

Whats happening is, each arm can independantly move in and out of the rack by a few mm. (Picture car up on two poster lift, being held by the chassis, wheels hanging. If you grab ahold of each rear wheel you can see and feel the play - especially when the MOT guy is doing it)

 

(only managed to get a 'pass' because I said, "Oh yeah, the rack just needs bleeding". Was a close one!)

 

Any ideas what may have worn? I AM actually going to try bleeding the rack tomorrow if its not raining, to see if it really is the problem

 

Cheers in advance

Si.

HICAS link arms, about £50 each from Mike Feeney. ;)

HICAS link arms, about £50 each from Mike Feeney. ;)

 

Would it be both arms though? Since they're both exhibiting the same problem.

 

Si.

Hi Si

I had to replace both hicas link arms, 56 quid +vat nissan dealers!

Think you need to do both and I do not think bleeding the rack will sort it out.

Arthur

I wondered about this. Is it not just that since the rear rack is hydraulic, and if the engine is turned off there is no hydraulic pressure to hold it. Time to do a few tests with the engine off and then on....

THAT'S WEIRD !..... Because my Z failed its MOT on the exact same thing (amongst others) yesterday !

 

I was perhaps under the impression that there was supposed to be a bit of 'play' there when there is no load on the suspension. My MOT tester could'nt detect the 'play' when the rear wheels were back on the ground.

 

They told me to go to a Nissan dealers for their opinion.

Does anyone know the tolerances and acceptable 'play' limits on the HICAS system ?

I wondered about this. Is it not just that since the rear rack is hydraulic, and if the engine is turned off there is no hydraulic pressure to hold it. Time to do a few tests with the engine off and then on....

 

Don't think so, there's a sort of non-return valve under the back of the car that locks it in place when the ECU senses a fault. Same thing goes for the front solenoid valve, unless it's actuated either way then there's no path through it for the oil so everything's locked up.

There's also a centering spring in the rack, so it wouldn't feel 'loose'.

no play at all in my rack after i done the link arms ;)

Or mine ;)

LOL!! hasnt it got the same link arms tho John? ;)

Yeah, you're right. They're Ok though!