Nissan 370Z Forum - Something leaking at the steering rack

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- - Something leaking at the steering rack (http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivetrain/92320-something-leaking-steering-rack.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Q8y_drifter (Post 2892806)

Went up the ramps today and tightened the nut another ~1/5 of a turn or so. Felt some resistance this time. Took it out for a test drive and it's as tight as stock now. Steering wheel feels heavier yet has no issues returning to center at all. It tracks straight as an arrow at high speeds even when driving over rough patches of asphalt. It used to be unpredictable and downright scary to drive on rough sections on highway roads before and I assumed it was my worn out front tires. Steering and maneuvering is far better as well.

I still haven't replaced my tires yet (planning on powder coating wheels, doing both in one go), so will update again once I do so.

Good deal. That is about as good as you are going to get. I would do a PS fluid exchange just to be sure you don't have any metal in the system. You can do it with a PS fluid exchange system or remove the return line going to the reservoir, extent it into a 5 gallon buck, and have someone start the car while you poor fluid in. The danger is running the pump dry. Do not let it run dry. Bad things will happen so shut the car off quick if it get's close.

Just did my third oil change a few hours ago. Being the fussy bitxx that I am , I tend to inspect most things when under the car.

Guess what I see? Yep that same bolt weeping oil @ 11529 miles.

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Jeez I wonder what mine looks like at 55k miles...I never looked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsarver (Post 3109742)

Jeez I wonder what mine looks like at 55k miles...I never looked.

So long as the pas fluid tank is full don't bother.

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I tried adjusting this nut today. 5-1/2 years and 82K miles on my Z and lots more gunk around the nut than in OP's pic. About 3/4 turn got it to tighten up a bit. But I gave it at least another 1/2 turn and am still not happy with the play in the steering wheel. FWIW, I had a lot of trouble finding a 23 mm socket in local stores - a 15/16 spline socket ended up working just fine. I have an appt with a dealer tomorrow to look at something else, so I'll have them check this out at the same time.

Update: I had the dealer replace the steering rack two months later under warranty. They also confirmed that nut should not be adjusted. After replacement the steering returned to normal - no issues after 6 months.

Is this under the car? or through the engine bay? I might have to have this adjusted My "new" 2014 with 2k Miles Has real light steering, My old 2011 roadster felt Much tighter.

It is easily visible under the car.

Here is an interesting post I found ... I am going to be pushing for steering rack replacement under warranty it looks like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHyperbole (Post 3548806)

Regarding tightening the rack and pinion nut, I too have a 2014 coupe and was experiencing "loose" steering, as evidended by the steering wheel doing a quick left-right-left-right shimmy when I hit bumps in the road that affected only one front wheel.

I brought the car to the dealership, and the tech tightened that nut about one full turn. That made an immediate huge difference in steering feel. On-center feel was much more pronounced, and the steering generally had more heft and resisted the aforementioned shimmy. HOWEVER, the steering would no longer self-center when making a turn; I had to manually guide the wheel all the way back to center. So I returned to the dealership and had them loosen the nut 3/4 turn, which cured the new problem and caused the old problem to return.

I spoke to a Nissan master tech who works at an independent shop, and he said never to tighten that nut, as it casuses the gears in the steering to bind, which is obviously detrimental long-term. So yes, this is yet another case of a dealership's service department not knowing its products well enough to implement the proper solution, which in this case may be replacement of the steering rack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 3548816)

It is easily visible under the car.

Thank you

JUST THOUGHT ID THROW THIS IN HERE:

https://www.carmd.com/Tsb/Download/103088/1uk2

Also it is possible to reach the nut without jacking the car up or using ramps (if its at stock height).

I think if you look close you’ll find that it’s leaking on top where the steering column goes into the gearbox. I put mine up on stands and rotated the shaft and watched it leak out of there. I track mine and have voided every warranty but Nissan is going to take a look at it. I also had to change the ps hose because it had a pin hole in it it ($200). My 2015 has the stock ps cooler but it still boils the fluid and it leaks by the pump too. I’m glad I found this post so I can share it with the dealer. Thanks for taking the time to post.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jarblue (Post 3708051)

not a chance

actually you are able to reach it without jacking it up. Ive been doing it. I just use an extension.