Classificatio n:

Reference:

EM12-014a

Date:

NTB12-071a

December 17, 2013

2009 – 2014 MAXIMA;
ENGINE KNOCK FROM #1 MAIN BEARING
This bulletin has been amended to add additional models years.
Please discard the previous version.

APPLIED VEHICLES:

2009 – 2014 Maxima (A35)

IF YOU CONFIRM
A knock noise coming from the # 1 crankshaft main bearing:
NOTE: Refer to No.1 Main Bearing Knock Noise Confirmation on the next page.

ACTION
1. Remove the # 1 main bearing (upper and lower halves), per the Service Procedure in
this bulletin.
2. Select and install a new # 1 main bearing that is one grade higher (thicker) than the one
removed.

NOTE: Do not replace the engine for this issue.

IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you
will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it
contains information that is essential to successfully completing the repair.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.

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No.1 Main Bearing Knock Noise Confirmation
Use the following criteria and symptoms to confirm the knock noise is coming from the
No. 1 crankshaft main bearing.

Knock noise from No.1 main bearing is confirmed if all of the following symptoms exist:
•

Not heard at cold start.

•

Can be heard at warm idle (not a cold start condition).

•

Heard best from under the engine with the vehicle lifted.

•

Using stethoscope, the knock can be isolated to the lower front of the engine (near
the # 1 or # 2 main bearing).

•

Cannot be heard driving at highway speeds.

•

Cannot be heard sitting in the vehicle with the radio on.

Other symptoms that may be evident with a knock noise from the No.1 main bearing:
•

May hear the knock noise while sitting in the passenger side front seat with the
doors closed, windows rolled up, and the radio off.

•

Knock noise can be decreased (made quieter) or eliminated by removing tension or
adding tension to the accessory drive belt.

NOTE: If an engine has a knock noise from the # 1 main bearing (confirmed by the
above symptoms), the noise will not be eliminated by changing the oil grade or type,
or by installing new oil.

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NTB12-071a

SERVICE PROCEDURE
WARNING:
•

Make sure the cooling system has cooled
before opening. Hot coolant can cause serve
burns.

•

Make sure all engine parts (e.g. exhaust
components, engine block, etc.) have cooled
before touching. Hot engine parts can cause
serve burns
Figure 1

NOTE:
•

When removing components such as tubes, hoses, and lines; cap the opening to
prevent fluid from dripping/spilling.

•

If needed, additional details (line art images, system descriptions, etc.) for the
removal and installation of components in this bulletin can be found in the
appropriate Service Manual.

1. Write down all radio station settings.
Presets
A
B
C
SAT
Fade:

1

2

3

Balance:

Bass:

4

5

6

Treble:

2. If equipped, write down / record the following customer settings for the ATC (Automatic
Temperature Control) system. (Refer to the Service Manual as needed):
• Temperature Setting Trimmer
• Foot Position Setting Trimmer
• Inlet Port Memory Function (FRE and REC)

3. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Figure 2

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NTB12-071a

4. Remove the oil dip stick.

5. Remove the engine cover.

Figure 3

6. Remove the engine under cover.

Figure 4

7. Drain the engine coolant into a clean container as follows:
a. CAUTION: Make sure the cooling system has cooled.
b. Place a clean container under the radiator drain plug.
c. Remove the radiator drain plug.
d. Remove the radiator cap.
e. Store the coolant in a covered clean container (coolant will be reused).

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NTB12-071a

8. Remove the front air duct.
•

Front air duct

Front air duct is held on with 3 bolts.

Bolt

Bolt

Bolt

Figure 5

Clamp
9. Remove the air cleaner case:

Bolt

•

Remove 1 bolt.

•

Loosen clamp.

•

Disconnect transmission vent hose.

Vent
hose
Air
cleaner
case
Figure 6

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NTB12-071a

Support bar
10. Attach an engine support bar to the
transmission as shown.
•

Transverse Engine Support Bar
16-1725 from Tech-Mate can be
used (or equivalent).

Figure 7

Hook from
support bar
•

Use a bolt to attach the chain from
the support bar hook to the top of
the transmission as shown.

•

Adjust / tighten the hook and chain
so the support bar is supporting
the weight of the transmission.

Chain attached
with bolt
Figure 8

NOTE: Later in this procedure the front suspension member (engine cradle) will be
removed / lowered from under the engine. The engine and transmission will be held
in place by the engine mount at the front of the engine and the support bar that was
just installed.

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NTB12-071a

Clamp
11. Remove the upper radiator hose:
•

Remove / reposition 2 clamps.

•

Remove bolt from center support.

Clamp

Bolt
Upper hose
Figure 9

Vacuum
hose

12. Remove the nut for the front engine
mount.
Reassembly torque:
103 N•m (11 kg-m, 76 ft-lb)

13. Disconnect the front engine mount
vacuum hose.

Mount nut
Figure 10

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NTB12-071a

Heat shield
14. Remove the 4 bolts holding the
exhaust manifold heat shield LH.
Reassembly torque:
5.8 N•m (0.59 kg-m, 51 in-lb)

Bolt
Bolt

NOTE: The heat shield will not be
completely removed. Later in the
procedure the loose heat shield will
allow access to the catalyst mounting
bolts.

Bolt

Bolt
Figure 11

15. Remove both front wheels.
Reassembly torque:
113 N•m (12 kg-m, 83 ft-lb)
Tighten bolts in three steps
using a star pattern.

16. Remove the front fender protector side
covers.
•

The right side is shown; remove
both sides.

•

Each cover is held on with 6 clips.

Side
cover

Figure 12

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NTB12-071a

17. Remove the front exhaust tube (see Figure 13):
•

Remove 2 nuts at center exhaust tube to front exhaust tube.

•

Remove 6 nuts / bolts at front exhaust tube to exhaust manifolds (both banks).

•

Remove nut and bolt for front exhaust tube stay.

•

Remove 2 bolts for front exhaust tube bracket.

1. Front exhaust tube
2. Ring gasket
3. Front exhaust tube stay
4. Front exhaust tube bracket
5. Gasket
6. Center exhaust tube

Figure 13

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NTB12-071a

18. Remove the clamp nut and bolt for the
lower ball joints.
•

Nut and
bolt for
lower
ball joint.

Right side is shown; remove nut
and bolt for both sides (left and
right).
Reassembly torque:
63 N•m (6.4 kg-m, 46 ft-lb)

19. Separate the ball joints from the
steering knuckles.
•

Figure 14

Right side is shown; separate ball
joint from steering knuckle on both
sides (left and right).

Nut at upper end
of connecting rod
20. Remove the nuts from the upper end
of the suspension connecting rods.
•

Right side is shown; remove nut
from both sides (left and right).
Reassembly torque:
78.5 N•m (8.0 kg-m, 58 ft-lb)

Figure 15

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NTB12-071a

21. Remove the cotter pin and nut for RH side tie rod end (see Figure 16).

22. Separate the RH side tie rod end from the steering knuckle.

23. Remove the 2 steering gear assembly mounting bolts (see Figure 16).

Remove RH
side only
Mounting
bolts

Figure 16

24. Attach elastic straps (or other suitable
support) to each side of the steering
gear assembly.
•

Strap for
steering gear
assembly

Right side is shown; attach a strap
to both sides.

NOTE: The support straps will hold
the steering gear when the front
suspension member is lowered.

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Figure 17

NTB12-071a

Bolt

25. Take the Power Steering (P/S) line
loose from for the mounting points
shown (1 bolt and 2 clips).

Clip
Clip

NOTE: Do not remove the P/S line;
just take it loose from the mounting
points.
P/S line
Figure 18

26. Remove bolt from lower toque rod.

Reassembly torque:
103 N•m (11kg-m, 76 ft-lb)

Lower
torque
rod bolt
Figure 19

P/S gear electrical harness
Front
27. Unclip the Power Steering (P/S) gear
electrical harness from the front
suspension member.

Suspension member
Figure 20

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NTB12-071a

28. Remove the nut from the rear engine
mount.

Rear engine
mount nut
Vacuum
hose

Reassembly torque:
103 N•m (11 kg-m, 76 ft-lb)

29. Disconnect the rear engine mount
vacuum hose.
Figure 21

30. Remove 3 bolts from the LH transaxle
mount (mount at rear of transmission).
Bolt
Reassembly torque:
70 N•m (7.1 kg-m, 52 ft-lb)

Bolt
Bolt

Figure 22