Kryogen

Any clues what it could be?
struts are new, all parts too, less than a year. oem nissan,
changed the rack and pinion unit more than a year ago.

I have crappy ebay tie rod ends and ball joints that I installed more than a year ago.... maybe? no clue.

hints?

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

does it feel like its binding at certain points? might be the u-joint on the steering shaft

Kryogen

not binding, just feels generally harder all around. seems like turning with one hand is harder, I find myself using 2 hands now, more often.
No clunk, no noise, no weird feelings, just "harder"

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

see if the power steering fluid is low, otherwise sounds like something is up with the power steering pump or the rack is going again

Kryogen

fluid was high enough, drained the container and refilled with fresh atf, but it wasn't that bad really, changed it all like 12-18 months ago.
I actually changed the rack and pinion because I though it was clunking, and in the end, this was not the cause of the clunk (how about a waste of 2 days of my time and 500$ for the part). I don't feel like it's the rack going, it's quite new.
Pump maybe? or any other linkage part is getting hard in the steering column?

Kryogen

Ok I suspect the lower U joint that connects the linkage to the rack.
Was very rusty when I did the steering job a year and a half ago, and tonight I looked at it and god it's full of rust.

I will probably soak it in penetrating oil and see if it makes it better. I've just read alot of stories of people with the same issue that fixed it this way.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

yeah thats what i was talking about in my first post, i think usually its better to replace it though

Kryogen

Who sells it, only nissan or aftermarket too?
how hard is it to replace? I know it's quite easy to unbolt under, but how does it disconnect above? Didn't get a chance to have a look at this and probably will not before next weekend

thanks

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

ive replaced a few at work, usually we just get them from a junker. havent done one on a 5th gen, but the ones ive done up top usually theres a single bolt holding the shafts together under the dash near the steering wheel. when you take the bolt out, the shaft with the U-joint collapses in a bit and you can remove it from the rack and pinion on the bottom end. might be the same for 5th gens. it can be miserable to get back on the top end because youre stuck laying on your back trying to get the dam thing to line up so you can get the bolt in again lol

Kryogen

had a look at the joint tonight, looked ok to me... rusty a bit, sprayed it with some penetrating oil to make sure.

Noticed some oil around the adjustment bolt for the rack. There doesn't seem to be any "dripping" on the metal frame under it, but it was just kind of "wet with oil" all around the adjusting bolt when everything else was dry. Any clue?

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

might look okay but to rule it out it has to be removed, it should be free to swivel on the u joint in all directions. if its bad it will bind hard in a way

not sure about the oil sweating, but if its not leaving drips i wouldnt really worry about it. if you have fluid in the boots on the rack and pinion its bad though

Kryogen

doesn't seem to have oil il the boots, but I did not remove them to check so go figure :P
Nothing "binds" anywhere, it just feels harder all around

Kryogen

feels way better since the generous spray with penetrating oil yesterday night. way smoother now.
will lube that link every 6 months at tire changes now.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

yeah if you grease it every once in a while you can maybe get away without replacing it

Kryogen

seems like an expensive part plus it's a crap labor. Already changed the whole rack before for no reason so I'm not really into changing parts that are not defective....