wwjd180

iTrader: (1)

Hey everyone,

Last night, as I pulled my 98 I30 out of my driveway, I noticed that my steering fluid still needed more time as the wheel was extremely stiff. I waited a little and continued to take the car out and ever since, my steering feels loose between 11am and 1pm on the steering wheel. When at a stop, it clunks, but when moving, I do not feel any abnormality. Any thoughts? The car is slated to be traded in 3-4 weeks, so I'm trying to avoid any major expenditures.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be helpful...

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

so when your RPM are higher its normal but moving slowly the steering is stiff?

JoshG

how many miles you have? since ur selling it in a month.

wwjd180

iTrader: (1)

@chrome91, it's more like when the car is in motion, the steering issues are not noticeable but when at a standstill, it clunks when moving the steering from side to side.

@JoshG, I have ~172k on the I, and its been great, but with all the frozen calipers and parking brake lines in the last few years, and random other costs due to its age, I think it's time for me to move on. After much haggling, was able to get a $1k (not great, but acceptable) for the trade and got a very nice deal on a fairly equipped 6SPD accord. My whole life, I've driven Nissans and Infinitis but 6SPD is becoming a rarity.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

3 - 4 Weeks and it's gone? Well this is easy, make sure the fluid is full, the belt is tight and baby it for another 3 - 4 weeks.

CS_AR

Are you located in NJ?

wwjd180

iTrader: (1)

yup, located in central NJ. Edison/Metuchen. Want to buy my ride?

Based on the different trims, the EX had a lot more nicer features without much cost difference, ie. lanewatch, heated mirrors with integrated signal, keyless smart entry, push button start, rear vents, and the list goes on...

Unfortanately, Honda is phasing out their 6SPDs with a big push for CVT, and there are none available so I was able to order one that is being built in the next few weeks. It should be ready by the end of Feb...but it's not like in a hurry as my car has been great.

I should take off the 350Z rims/HIDs/Speakers as I don't think that would have impacted the trade in. Right now, i have a set of 350z enthusiast rims. I have my stock rims in my garage, but it hasn't been used in a couple of years and one of them might have a nail in the sidewall (ridiculous test fire from a contractor, he thought it was empty and it wasn't, lol)...just doesn't look nearly as nice...

Even yesterday, as I was driving, I was thinking I drive my I30 every day and absolutely love it. No bells and whistles, just a great car. Everything works. Aside from paint thinning and slight rust by the rear wheel well, this thing is prestine. I just wanted to make this move from a position of strength and be desparate and have even fewer options to choose from...

CS_AR

Former NJ Hwy 1-9 resident here. I would post it in the classifieds as there are people on here looking for 5-speed VLSD cars. That is a rare car in my opinion. I wish I were closer..

wwjd180

iTrader: (1)

Good point. I'll post it up. Ya, I had a hard time finding another tranny with its leaking issues to Rob Tilley and Dave rebuilt mine. I got a good 3-4 years of no leaking... I check the tranny fluid at alternate oil changes and it's miraculously full every time

I'll post in the classified section to see if there's any interest.

wwjd180

iTrader: (1)

So a couple of weeks ago, I was driving back from work...Tried to make a left turn and the car kept going forward while my wheel was turning left. Fortunately for me, I had let all the oncoming traffic go by and the steering wheel caught by the time my top hand got to the bottom. I pulled into a local shop down the block as I didn't want to take a chance. The shop knew I wasn't about to drop money into a new rack, but indicated that they tightened up a joint piece that was loose, but that a rack would be the long term fix and charged $100.

Steering drives nice and tight, but the only things is that after the fix, my steering wheel needs to be at 10 o'clock to go straight and my clockspring appears to be unplugged/damaged as the horn/air bag appear to have issues.

It's like my car is giving up the ghost. After I decided to trade it in, it went from having no issues to having multiple as I found out last week...

Hopefully the new car gets here soon. Production has been delayed but from what I hear, it just finished and it should be coming within the next couple of weeks.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

I can't speak to the condition of your rack and pinion, but your u-joint connecting the steering column to the rack probably needs replaced as well as the clock spring.

Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

michaelliv

hey thanks for bringing this up.. I was having the same issues.. my steering is super loose and my power steering was acting up. I thought it was my inner tie-rods, but now am thinking the rack or u-joint from the shaft to the rack.. I really don't want to drive my car on the highway because of how loose it is. will be taking her apart soon. let us know what happens brotha!

KP11520

Please share that process with us when you do it!!!!!!

I think the u-joint is going to be more of an issue as time goes on for many of us!

Thanks!

uttadms31

Would the u-joint show signs of impending failure, or would it happen out of nowhere say even on a turn on the highway? Scary to think of that.
I have 236k miles on my rack still on original tie rods too...not enough wear yet to fail inspection, just a little bit of leaking.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

My FIL had a bad joint on his F250 where the aluminum yoke got loose on the shaft and wiped out the splines. This resulted in a loose steering wheel with approx. 45* of slop. I was able to tighten it up for a band aid fix, but ultimately installed a wrecking yard intermediate shaft. A new shaft was $200+. WWJD180, I believe this is your problem, and no fault of the rack.

Another failure mode is a steering wheel that alternates between stiff and normal every 90*. This is due to a joint with 2 dried out caps (needle bearings)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-98-99-Infiniti-I30-Nissan-Altima-Lower-Stering-Joint-U-Joint-U-Joint-OEM-/151526269693?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368
Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

michaelliv

yeah the u joint can either get real stiff or real loose. Mine was because i woke up late for work, turned on the car and cranked on the wheel to turn with my power steering acting up. I could tell right then as i was driving i screwed up my car, now every time i drive her i try to baby her lol!! Winter for some reason wreaks havoc on my power steering.. summer im ok, but this winter sucks. I will post pics of me taking this apart...

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Try using a synthetic DexIII ATF like maxlife of valvoline synthetic for improved winter operation.