Classification:

Reference:

Date:

ST14-013a

ITB15-001a

July 8, 2015

2014-2015 Q50; INTERMITTENT SQUEAK FROM STEERING WHEEL
WHEN TURNED
This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised.
Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:

2014-2015 Q50 (V37)
2014-2015 Q50 Hybrid (V37)

IF YOU CONFIRM
The steering wheel makes a faint squeaking/ticking noise when turned left or right.
NOTE: Due to the faint nature of this noise, it may be necessary to lift the front wheels off of the ground so that
it can be isolated.

ACTION
Remove driver’s side airbag and apply felt tape with the SERVICE PROCEDURE starting on page 2.

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.
Infiniti 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 Infiniti retailer to determine if this
applies to your vehicle.
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SERVICE PROCEDURE
WARNING:
 Follow all cautions, warnings, and notes in the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) when working on or
near a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), such as an airbag.
 Before servicing the SRS, turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait
at least three minutes.
 Always work from the side of an air bag module. Never work in front of it.
 Never use air tools or electric tools for servicing.
NOTE:


Felt strips for the following procedure can be
found in Squeak and Rattle kit (P/N J-50397).



Write down customer’s audio presets in table
provided on page 5.

Harness

1. Disconnect the vehicle’s battery ground cable
and wait for 3 minutes, and then proceed to
step 2.
Figure 1

2. Remove the driver’s side air bag (Figure 1).
Refer to Electronic Service Manual (ESM),
section SR – SRS Airbag for information.
Harness

Apply one strip of
felt tape to the top.

3. Cut two strips of felt tape (P/N J-50397-4) to
150 mm long.
Apply one strip of felt
tape to the bottom.

4. Gently remove harness from steering wheel
housing as shown in Figure 2.
5. Apply one piece of felt tape to the top and one
piece to the bottom of the harness area shown
shaded in red in Figure 2.


Figure 2

Felt tape should be applied so that it is
centered and harness is completely covered.

6. Replace harness into its original position.

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ITB15-001a

7. Cut two pieces of felt tape (P/N J-50397-4) to the dimensions shown in Figure 3 below.
NOTE: Templates shown below are both with adhesive shown faced away.

7 mm

LH
27 mm

RH

12 mm

7 mm

27 mm

Figure 3

8. Apply the felt tape cut in step 7 to the right and left sides of the steering wheel as shown in Figure 4.


Overlap felt tape edge 1.5 mm over the leather at top edges as shown in Figure 4.

Overlap felt tape
here

Apply felt tape to
areas outlined in
green.

Overlap felt tape
here

Figure 4
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ITB15-001a

9. Cut 4 pieces felt tape (P/N J-50397-4) into 20 mm X 10 mm lengths.
10. Apply the felt tape in an overlapping “T” pattern to the areas on the driver’s side air bag outlined in green as
shown in Figure 5.


Apply the horizontal pieces first and then the vertical pieces.

2nd

2nd

1st

1st

Apply felt tape to
areas outlined in
green.

Figure 5

Close up of left side of air bag before felt tape is added.

11. Reassemble the driver’s side air bag in the reverse order of disassembly and reprogram the customer’s
audio presets.

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ITB15-001a

Table for audio presets
Presets

1

2

3

4

5

6

AM
FM 1
FM 2
SAT 1
SAT 2
SAT 3
Bass

Treble

Balance

Fade

Speed Sen.
Vol.

CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line claim using the following claims coding:
OPERATION
OP CODE
PFP
SYM
DIAG
FRT
REPAIR STEERING WHEEL
QX33AA
(1)
ZL
32
0.7
(1) Refer to the electronic parts catalog (FAST) and use the Steering Wheel assy part number (48430-xxxxx)
as the Primary Failed Part (PFP).

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ITB15-001a