Starrider

Replaced rack pinion with remanufactured and the steering is more heavy and ratio is greater. Whereas before a touch of the steering wheel would put it in the next lane???

Starrider

Levsimus

iTrader: (1)

New/reman steering racks are often much stiffer because everything is tight and fresh. I had the same experience after replacing my old one. Its gotten better over the last couple months but I don't drive the car very much so it hasn't had a ton of miles to break it in. Also make sure you thoroughly bleed your power steering system, may need to be bled some more.

To be fair, mine was REAAAALLY loose before - one of my steering rack bushings was completely gone so the steering rack was floating freely on one side (made for some hellishly violent bumpsteer, to boot!)

Starrider

It seems the 94 maxima gxe's had two variations of the racks depending on whether the car was made early in the year or later...Mine was made early. The new reman part (cardone) list only one. What i don't understand is why the steering ratio is greater or less inother words it takes more turn of the steering wheel to turn the wheels?

ps thanks for the power steering fluid check tip!...

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

i cant see how GXE would have 2 different versions of steering racks only thing i can maybe see is if a 94 VE30DE SE had a different rack than a VG30E GXE

Starrider

OK...so does the SE rack have a tighter steering ratio than the GXE?

i8acobra

Working at a dealership, there are 3 parts I refuse to install aftermarket... Steering racks, master cylinders and a/c compressors. I can tell you from personal experience. It's worth the extra money for OEM.

Levsimus

iTrader: (1)

Can't get OEM steering racks anymore for third gens. Remanned/aftermarket is all that's left, unfortunately.

Starrider

OEM is always my first choice...was told Nissan no longer makes the rack for the car.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

myself i have no idea. if it fit in the car and everything i cant imagine you got the wrong one. you can call an autoparts store and see how many part numbers they have for steering racks to see if theres indeed 2 different kinds but i dont imagine so

Starrider

Okay guys...Thanks for all the input. I can understand how the steering may be stiff due to it being a new/reman part...but miss the fast ratio turn of the original steering rack. We'll check the lines as suggested ... is there any other thing to check?...Thanks again...

Jacobaudi

check your power steering pump pressure sensor wire if it's plugged in

oldpuck81

There is no steering pressure sensor on a 3rd Gen Maxima. I checked my FSM and there was nothing in Steering SA section.

Regarding reman'd R&P's, my experience is that aftermarket R&P's steer a little easier than OEM. I think I used a Cardone from AutoZone.

Jacobaudi

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,7408

oldpuck81

Maxima SOLENOID ASSY-POWER STEERING PUMP 49177M

Ok, looks like the Maxima SE DOHC has an option for electrically controlled steering pump pressure. The GXE's don't have this. This is part lookup from Courtesy Nissan online parts. I didn't see this in the Nissan FSM.

Jacobaudi

I really don't know but my 94 GXE has one on the ps pump

oldpuck81

Ok, Jacob, I learned something: The FSM shows a PS pressure switch but not on the pump. It's on the hi-pressure line near the firewall. It's designed to detect high power steering pump load on the engine during idle and signals the ECM to bump up the idle while turning the wheels so the engine doesn't die or go below min. idle speed. I've replaced 2 or 3 pumps on my 90 & 94 and never had a pressure switch on the pump itself.
Thanks!

Starrider

One more thing to add to the list ...just noticed that the steering wheel doesn't lock after key is removed from the ignition? How is this related to the install of the the new/reman rack pinion?

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

the security lock should be related to the tumbler area in the ignition where you put the key, not the rack

Starrider

Thanks ... good site...hope to keep this old car running a long time!