Steering has been driving me .....
 

Hey guys ive been trying to get to the bottom of this but i just cant happen to. About 3 months ago i had my steering pinion/steering rack replace due to it being cracked (happened in a minor accident). It was replaced and i happen to notice it isnt as stiff as it use to been at lower speeds it tends to bounce around on the road. Feels like im always fighting to keep it straight. At higher speeds and brand new paved roads i dont have this problem. Ive taken it back and was told nothing was wrong with it and its not bump steer. Know im pretty good about cars and not a complete idiot, but it feels like there holding something from me. I know im not an idiot and do notice the smallest differences. any thoughts or ideas, really could use it

tramlining maybe?

Have you gotten an alignment since?

I would get a second opinion.

What else got messed up in the accident?

They probably put in a used part.

Alignment's off, something else is bent, or the steering rack/install is faulty.

The engine cradle where the steering rack bolts on it cracked off. Yes the alignment is not a problem I've had it checked twice. And the steering rack is a new oem one I called nissan and gave them the part number it mached to the original. What is a timing line, really I'm a rough situation. No one can seem to figure out what is wrong with it. I've had many experienced techs check. Sometimes when I hit an uneven surface or dip on the road the car pulls to that side(at lower speeds) it almost got me into another accident. pretty upset with the poor services now a days , you can't trust anyone. I appreciate the feedback from you guys it's my last chance :(

A hit that hard messed something else up. Go to another shop. And how do you know that the rack is new? Of course it has the same part number, it's the same part.

It was where the steering rack mounts to the subframe, the bolt that mounts the steering rack didn't have anywhere to mount due to the cracked mount area. I remember taking a look at the steering pinion with new box and packaging next to it. It appeared brand new that I could tell. And even if it was used how could it be acting the way it is. When I drive my altima it goes over bumps and cracks in roads without budging. Sometimes when I come to a stop on a rough enough road my steering slowly turns 180 degrees by its self.

Check the lower A frame bushing. If they where damaged the steering will move all over the place. Best yet bring to a good front end shop and have them check it out before dropping money on an alignment

Where would I locate the bushings and how can I tell there worn out ? Don't really have suspension places near by or they cost way to much money. No one around northwest IN does a honest job. Is it difficult to replace if I have the proper tools or would I have to lift the car overhead. I think it is the bushings because there use to me a werid noise wen I would brake and they told me something about the bushings maybe they are damaged

Take it to someone good and spend the money. It's a safety issue and it doesn't sound like this is something you should DIY.

I suspect control arm bushings -- these are not easy if you have never done them before or if you do not have correct tools.

I would, regardless of cost, get it to a front end shop ASAP and not drive it -- except for to the shop.

100% this. And drive gently. Surface roads, not freeway.

I shouldn't have to due to the fact that I have full corvage insurance and they should have looked into every possible scenior or inspect the car better. Most techs around here don't car much about other ppl's cars. Only there cars , I mean if your a tech they should treat it like there own you know

Dude, if your steering is as bad as you say, it's a safety issue. Full stop. Get it fixed or don't drive it, then worry about whether insurance should have paid or whatever later. And there are good techs out there, maybe you need to find another dealership.

You have something very seriously wrong with your front end. Demand they find and fix it. Escalate it to the service manager. Document everything.

If Nissan can't/won't find/fix it, then take it to a friggin' front end shop. Pay for it and then raise hell with Nissan Corporate to get reimbursed.

I do not know what elese to tell you. Your car is DANGEROUS in its current state.

How could bushings cause this problem , and what are the name of common suspension shops. Or should I take it back for the 5th time to nissan lol

I give up.

Good luck.

Haha your telling me thanks man , I have a few times but it's hard to ignore

If the bushings are shot, the rack can move around without sending steering input to the wheels. Go back to the original dealer. Find a new dealer. Call Nissan corporate. Find a local independant shop. But do it quick, before your car zigs when you told it to zag and you kill yourself or someone else.

:iagree:

Less posting and more action!!!

How could I tell if the bushing are worn tho ?

True that

...BY TAKING IT TO A SHOP...

Why am I still here???

It's like explaining the color red to a blind man, it seems...

Get the car up on jackstands and try to wiggle the steering rack to see if the slop is there? Why not just take it to someone? The fact that you're asking these questions means someone with more experience with issues like this needs to handle diagnosis and repair.

Thank you , we'll see how it goes round 2. Might as well, can't always do everything one your own

Keep us informed, please.

No problem hopefully it'll help anyone in the future. Hope no one deals with what I have to man

Steering knuckle? I know under extreme driving that they can fail so I imagine a good impact could cause some damage.

I'm curious as well. I've had the rack replaced twice for the clicking noise. The noise is gone now, but the front end is starting to feel a little twitchy at highway speeds almost like what you're describing. Steering is tight, which is nice, but a bit twitchy. It's easy for the car to veer off if I'm not paying enough attention to keeping the steering wheel centered. Feels like I'm driving like a drunk or something, so I pretty much don't have much confidence.

Anyhow, I'm starting to hear a click noise on my left front wheel. Even a clunk as I back out of the driveway. It happens when I first get the car moving.

Are you experiencing any of these noises? My car is getting serviced on Monday, which already involves removing the front wheels to rotate the tires. So I'm going to have my tech look at it.

It almost sounds like it is an alignment issue, mainly the caster. If you don't have enough caster, the car will steer with a very light feeling and will wander. Now if you don't have upper control arms that are adjustable something is causing the caster to be out of spec (bushings, torn mounts). If you have already gotten an alignment, post it so we can take a look. Best of luck.

Glad to hear your having the same problem not alone here. it can be very dangerous sometimes when your not focused on keeping the wheel straight. I've had techs check it twice already And they can't find anything. So when I get a chance I'll be checking all the mounts and bushings. But if your hearing a noise coming from the steering then it the steering pinoin (had same problem). after they installed the new steering rack I havnt heard that noise but have steering problems where I'm always fighting to keep the wheel straight. I've had the alignment also check twice and everything is up to spec. I just dont get it !!! How can no one find anything, I hope you can get some good feedback on what's causing it

The clunk could be from the steering rack not properly mounted. Because mine was hanging on for dear life when they removed the subframe to access the steering rack. And I would hear that clunk and crack noises

jmac- whats the steering knuckle for whats its job? can it pay a roll in my problem

So you're still dead set on figuring out what's going on yourself even though you don't even know all of the parts involved? There's not a single shop near you that can handle this? Are you still driving the car, or have you at the very least parked it until you can get your safety issue handled?

:icon14:

:iagree:

It boggles the mind...

I just wanna have some background on it. I have an appointment schedule for Thursday of next week. This time Im gonna make sure they don't just blow me off. Giving them some ideas would help get to the bottom of it instead of them giving me a b## SH$% excuse

:tup: