Nikon Macro Lens Focus Ring?

I just bought a Nikon 85mm macro lens. (AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR). The lens works great but I have one question about the focus ring. Once the lens reaches its maximum or minimum focus the ring can still be turned. You can feel when the focus ring maxes out but it still turns after that. Its very smooth so I wonder if there's some kind of damper on the focus ring or maybe a safety. The auto focus motor works fine and its virtually silent. Its also the fastest focus motor I've ever worked with. The instructions don't say anything about this and I couldn't find anything on the internet. Its my first Macro lens so I have no idea.

Let's clear things up. All lenses have a maximum focusing distance set to infinity. That's the sleeping 8 symbol. When your focus index (mark, line, indicator) points to infinity, the focus ring should stop focusing. If it doesn't stop, check the lens if it is indeed focused to infinity (try clouds or the moon). If not, the lens will have to be adjusted.

Now to the minimum focusing distance. Since your lens has macro abilities, the minimum distance I suppose goes down to a few inches. It should be clearly indicated in the box or manual of the lens. Again, the focus ring should stop exactly at that distance which is usually clearly marked (and at times with the word MACRO proudly displayed over it. If the ring continues to turn after that, try turning it until it stops. Check focus when it stops and measure the distance. If that is the actual minimum focusing distance, the lens may have been assembled in the wrong way. It can be fixed but if it's new, you can have it replaced.

Here's something to think about. If the focus ring doesn't stop turning, the lens may eventually disassemble itself.

Keerok is completely misinformed yet again.

The lens features a full time manual focus feature.So, even with the lens set to autofocus you should be able to manually adjust the focus by turning the focus ring after you have half pressed the shutter button to focus.

Turning it will not cause your lens to disassemble nor will it damage any of the components inside the lens. This is a common feature on macro lenses and some very high end lenses. Most of my Canon professional grade L lenses feature a manual override option when it comes to autofocus.