SB-10044329-4676

Reference:

Date:

ITB11-039e

June 8, 2012

VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN
1997- 2003 QX4 IN SALT STATES
FRONT STRUT HOUSING CORROSION
This campaign bulletin has been amended. The Title, PARTS INFORMATION and CLAIMS INFORMATION have been
amended. The SERVICE PROCEDURE has been amended to include a new Rivet Tool, and Repair Bracket installation on
the passenger side strut housing. Please discard all previous versions of this campaign bulletin.

CAMPAIGN ID #:
NHTSA #:
APPLIED VEHICLES:

R1109
11V-244
1997- 2003 QX4 (JR50)

Check Service COMM to confirm campaign eligibility.

INTRODUCTION
Infiniti is conducting a voluntary safety recall campaign on certain model year 1997 – 2003 QX4 vehicles that
are currently registered in States where heavy concentrations of road salt are used in the winter to inspect for
corrosion, and if necessary repair the front strut housing panels.
Salt States
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Iowa, and Missouri and the District of Columbia.
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Infiniti has assigned identification number R1109 to this campaign. This number must appear on all
communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.
DEALER RESPONSIBILITY
It is the dealer’s responsibility to check Service Comm for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the
range of this voluntary safety recall which for any reason enters the service department. This includes vehicles
purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory.
Federal law requires that new vehicles in dealer inventory which are the subject of a safety recall must
be corrected prior to sale. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. While federal law applies only to new vehicles, Infiniti strongly encourages dealers to
correct any used vehicles in their inventory before they are retailed.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPAIR OVERVIEW …………………………………………………………..…………...

Page
3

REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOLS …………………………………………………………….

4

SERVICE PROCEDURE …………………………………………………………………...

5

Determine if Vehicle is Repairable ……………………………………………………..

5

Determine Repair Level (driver side AND passenger side) …………………………..

9

Level 1 Repair (driver side AND passenger side) ……………….……………………..

11

Driver AND Passenger Side - Level 2 Repair………………………………………...
Strut Removal ………..…………………………………………………………………
Repair Bracket Installation …………………………………………………………….
Patching Perforated Areas …………………………………………………………….

13
13
16
35

STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT …………………………………………………….

42

EXAMPLE PHOTOS (perforation and scab corrosion)………………………………….

46

PARTS INFORMATION …………………………………………………………………….

48

CLAIMS INFORMATION …………………………………………………………………...

49

OWNER LETTER ……………………………………………………………………………

53

NON REPAIRABLE REPORT …………………………….……………………………….

54

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REPAIR OVERVIEW
Use Service Comm (campaign ID # R1109) to confirm
the vehicle you’re working on is affected by this campaign

Determine if Vehicle is Repairable (page 5)
(Inspect for perforation in Area 1 and scab corrosion in Area 2)
Perforation in Area 1
and/or
Scab corrosion in Area 2
Vehicle is not repairable

NO perforation in Area 1
and
NO scab corrosion in Area 2
Vehicle is repairable

1. Retain the vehicle at the dealer.
Determine Repair Level (page 9) and
perform needed repairs per the
Service Procedure

2. Supply the customer with a rental car.
3. Fax a completed Non-Repairable
Report to Morley (see page 54).

Possible Repair Levels

Driver Side *
Passenger Side *

Use Level 1 Repair If:
No visible rust or only surface rust
(page 11)

Use Level 2 Repair If:
Any scab corrosion or perforation
(page 13)

No visible rust or only surface rust
(page 11)

Any scab corrosion or perforation
(page 13)

* Refer to summary of each repair level on page 10.

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REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOLS
Ratchet Strap (J-50836)
•

Each dealer will be shipped, at no charge, one Ratchet
Strap.

•

Additional tools can be ordered from TechMate at
1-800-662-2001.

Rivet Tool (J-50835)
•

Each dealer will be shipped, at no charge, one Rivet Tool
(includes high pressure lubricant).

•

Additional tools can be ordered from TechMate at
1-800-662-2001.
CAUTION: DO NOT use power tools or impact tools
with the Rivet Tool – use hand tools only.

2:1 Dispensing Gun (J-50816)
•

This tool is used to dispense LORD Fusor® 108B
(structural adhesive).

•

Each dealer will be shipped, at no charge, one 2:1
Dispensing Gun.

•

Additional tools can be ordered from TechMate at
1-800-662-2001.

1:1 Dispensing Gun (Caulking Gun)
•

This tool is used to dispense LORD Fusor® 800EZ (seam
sealer).

•

Caulking guns are commonly used for application of other
automotive products. Each dealer should already have a
caulking gun as a shop tool.

33/64 Drill Bit (J-50878)
•

Each dealer will be shipped, at no charge, one 33/64 Drill Bit.

•

Additional tools can be ordered from TechMate at 1-800-662-2001.
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SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: This campaign does not cover any repairs beyond those specifically mentioned in this
Service Procedure.
1. Lift the vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove both front wheels.

Determine if Vehicle is Repairable (driver AND passenger side inspection)
3. Inspect for corrosion on the driver side AND passenger side in the wheel house Area 1 and strut housing
Area 2 (see Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Area 2
Area 2 is behind the strut
spring. It is visible with
the strut in place but
difficult to show in a
photo. See Figure 3 on
the next page for a photo
with the strut removed.

Area 1
On panel
behind strut

Figure 1

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Strut has been
removed to show the
areas of inspection.
NOTE: Strut does not
need to be removed to
perform inspection.
Area 2

Area 1
Figure 2
This example photo shows the inspection areas in relation to the repair bracket installation.

Area 2

Area 1

Figure 2A
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Area 1

Example of no perforation (no
holes) within the outlined areas

Area of inspection
is below this ridge

Area 1

Figure 3
Area 1: Look for perforation (holes) in the metal only in the areas outlined above.
NOTE:
•
•

The area shown in Figure 3 applies to driver side AND passenger side.
If needed, refer to examples (additional photos) of Area 1 perforation inspection
on pages 46 and 47.

If there is perforation (holes) in the metal in Area 1, driver side OR passenger side:
a. Retain the vehicle at the dealer. (The vehicle is not repairable.)
b. Supply the customer with a rental car.
c. Fax a completed Non-Repairable Report to Morley (see page 54).

If there is no perforation (no holes) in the metal in Area 1, driver side OR passenger side:
•

Go to Area 2 on the next page.

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Area 2
Example of no “scab corrosion” (no flaking
rust or raised rust) within the outlined area

Area 2

Figure 4
Area 2: Look for “scab corrosion” (flaking rust or raised rust) on driver side AND passenger side only in the
area outlined above.
NOTE:
•
•

The area shown in Figure 4 applies to driver side AND passenger side.
If needed, refer to examples (additional photos) of Area 2 scab corrosion inspection on page 47.

Figure 5 is an example of “scab corrosion” (flaking and raised rust).

Figure 5
If there is scab corrosion (flaking or raised rust) in Area 2, driver side OR passenger side:
a. Retain the vehicle at the dealer. (The vehicle is not repairable.)
b. Supply the customer with a rental car.
c. Fax a completed Non-Repairable Report to Morley (see page 54).
If there is no scab corrosion (no flaking or raised rust) in Area 2, driver side OR passenger side:

•

Go to Determine Repair Level on the next page.
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NOTE: If there is no perforation in Area 1 and no scab corrosion in Area 2 on the driver side OR
passenger side, the vehicle is repairable.

Determine Repair Level (driver side AND passenger side)
NOTE: At this point in the procedure the vehicle should have been deemed “repairable”. If needed, refer to
Determine if Vehicle is Repairable on page 5.

1. Use mild soap, water, and a brush to thoroughly
wash the strut housing and the wheel housing in
the area shown in Figure 6 (both sides).
NOTE: Passenger side is shown, driver side
is similar.

Figure 6
2. Visually inspect for corrosion and rust on the wheel housing panel and the strut housing panel (driver and
passenger side).
• Inspect for corrosion and rust on the panels only.
NOTE: Corrosion and rust on the strut or other suspension components is not covered by this
campaign.
Possible Repair Levels
NOTE: Repair levels for driver side and passenger side are to be determined independently.

Driver Side *
Passenger Side *

Use Level 1 Repair If:
No visible rust or only surface rust
(page 11)

Use Level 2 Repair If:
Any scab corrosion or perforation
(page 13)

No visible rust or only surface rust
(page 11)

Any scab corrosion or perforation
(page 13)

* Refer to summary of each repair level on the next page.

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Summary of Repair Levels
NOTE: Repair levels for driver side and passenger side are to be determined independently.
Driver Side AND Passenger Side
Level 1 – No visible rust or only surface rust
• Use an abrasive tool to remove surface rust
• Clean wheel housing and strut housing area

Page 11

• Apply self etching primer
• Apply rubberized undercoating
Level 2 – Any scab corrosion or perforation
• Remove the strut
• Use an abrasive tool to remove loose
corrosion and rust
• Apply self etching primer

Page 13

• Install the repair bracket
• Patch perforated areas – if needed
• Apply rubberized undercoating

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LEVEL 1 REPAIR (driver side AND passenger side)
For driver side AND passenger side - no visible rust or only surface rust
WARNING: Perform repairs in a well ventilated area.
NOTE:
• Plastic covers (fender protectors) in the wheel house area do not need to be removed.
• Photos in this section are of the passenger side, driver side is similar.
• For 4WD vehicles: If the drive shaft boot is ripped, it should be covered to prevent debris from
entering the drive shaft joint.

1. Use a wire brush to remove loose rust in the area
shown with dashed line.

2. Clean dust, dirt, or other debris from the wheel
housing and strut housing area.
Figure 7
3. Cover the strut so it is protected from overspray.
4. Completely and liberally coat the strut housing
and wheel house area with self etching primer.
• Use DuPont Etch Primer (P/N A-4119S™) or
equivalent.
• Follow all product instructions.
• Coat all of the exposed metal areas on the
strut housing and wheel house panels.

• A second coat may be needed for heavy rust spots.

Figure 8

• Let each coat dry for 5 minutes.
NOTE: Refer to the Parts Information for additional product details.

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5. Completely and liberally coat the wheel house
and strut housing area with rubberized undercoat.
• Use 3M™ Rubberized Undercoating (P/N
051135 – 08883) or equivalent.
• Follow all product instructions.
• Coat all of the exposed metal areas on the
strut housing and wheel house panels.
• Use a spray nozzle to spray the areas behind
the strut and other hard to reach areas.
NOTE: Refer to the Parts Information for
additional product details.

Figure 9

6. Let the undercoat dry for about 1 hour before removing the strut cover.

7. Reinstall the wheel.
• Torque wheel nuts to 118 – 147 N•m (12 – 15 kg-m, 87 – 108 ft-lb).
NOTE: Do not wash the vehicle for 24 hours. This will allow the undercoat to cure completely before
exposure to water.

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LEVEL 2 REPAIR – DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE
NOTE: The front strut removal procedure is the same on the driver side AND passenger side, unless
stated otherwise.
Front Strut Removal
NOTE:
• Use care during strut removal to prevent stress on electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical components.
• If needed; spray the strut mounting bolts/nuts with Nissan Rust Penetrant (P/N 999MP-A3020P) or
equivalent.
1. Support the transverse link (lower control arm)
with a jack stand as shown.
a. Position the jack stand under the lower
control arm.
b. Lower the vehicle until the lower control arm
touches the jack stand.