I've noticed that recently the steering has been a bit loose when driving at any speeds. It's not dangerous or anything, but I was wondering about methods for getting a nice stiffer response, from the wheel, when driving.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

removal of the power steering pump will obtain the stiffer steering your looking for. however u will have porblem steering at low speeds at first but u will quickly gain muscle to comfensate. only big problem with this is, it hasnt been done on a maxima as far as i know. im not sure but, this might be done by shorting the belt. <buying a belt with the same rib count with a shorter length.> you will neeed to measure around the old belts path minus the power steering pump. if u can try and not measure idel pully that wont be nesicary for the new belt . ie would be tensionar pully used to tension the belt for the p/s. if this isnt atainable meaning a short belt alone wont work
a new pully with braket will need to be <bolted/welded?> into place of the old p/s pump. oh yea and there isnt just a kit u can buy. braket will have to be fabed pully might also . this mod for your max will give u more controll and a general better feel for the road as ur old steering has a very fluid easy feel to it. the spoken word of the road is lost in translation through the steereing mechanisims. many would belive this to be un safe. i dont feel every one needs assitaded steering it may be a 4dsc but rides like grandmas driveway boat. its not a saftey feature it's just a feature, now added to every car on the market instead of being an option like it used to be. an option i wish was still albel to be made.

quick side note no p/s = very hard to steer at low speeds ie parking <count out paralell parking all together> at high speeds just stiffer you will notice a oneness with the road not yet to be felt in a maxima good luck and dont forget the write up

 

Get a custom tuned rack

 

I'll post a write up if I get it done - probably not until after the New Years though. Thanks for the input!

 

if u're gonna go nuts with it then just mate up an a/c clutch to the power steering pump so you can turn it on at low speeds and off at high speeds...if you're really slick wire a signal input from the speedo to the switch for clutch so it turns on/off automatically

 

the easier way would be to swap over the steering parts (rack and pump, not just the pump) from an SE model. they have much stiffer steering than the overboosted, turn-with-your-pinky GXE steering setup.

DO NOT remove the steering pump. you NEED power steering on these cars. the rack isn't set up for it without power steering and they're a total PITA to drive without. I threw a water pump/power steering belt a few years ago and almost wrecked the car trying to get it turned into a parking lot because I couldn't turn the wheel. not fun. don't try it.

 

newb question- i have a slow power steering leak (haven't been able to spot it yet) and have already raplaced a hose. i figure i'm looking at possibly a new rack unit for $$?? if i'm gonna have to replace the rack, what steps do i need to take to make a custom tuned rack? would i need to modify the existing one, or is this another super expensive plugnplay mod?

 

What do you mean by "loose"?

Do you mean it's "floaty" and numb feeling, or do you mean that there is slop and free play in the wheel, and you can turn the wheel a few degrees before the car reacts?

I guess I'm the only one who interpreted this as being a "problem" question rather than a "mod" question...


BTW, I totally agree with Matt on not just disabling the power steering. The gearing ratio for power steering racks is much higher than for manual steering racks, which is why it's generally a good thing as far as driving responsiveness goes. Remember steering wheel spinner *****? Those were for those manual steering systems that had lots of turns lock to lock.

 

dont forget bigger steering wheels

 

Kind of hard to explain - everyone has their way of explaining what they feel. It responds accurately when I make turns and reacts fine on the road, I just wanted the type of steering you get from a new car (without getting a new car!)