What's up guys?

My maxima has 170K on it and it started doing this weird wheel-jerking thing lately. Whenever I start accelerating, the car starts gradually drifting / pulling to the right. To correct this, I have to steer toward the left. As I switch to second gear (auto), the wheel jerks (turns) back half way toward it's normal position, the once I hit 3rd, it goes back to it's normal position. Problem is, if I'm not paying attention when it hits 3rd, because I'm countersteering to the left, the car will want to fly into the on-coming traffic. So, what the heck is wrong with this thing?

I'm thinking worn ball joints or motor mounts. "Why?", you ask? Well, I've never replaced either and......well....it has 170K miles! What do you think?

 

I think you are on the right track. You have a seriously worn bushing somewhere. But it could be one of 3-4 things. Check stickies for the autozone repair manual so you can familarize yourself with the maxima suspension

 

actually here's the problem, you live in birmingham, yet your a tennesse fan.....thats your problem.....gah,

 

sounds like worn control arm bushings to me.
very similar description to what mine did.
I sell bushings as well as complete control arms with ball joints and bushings.

 

Mine did that same thing once - steering wheel would physically move in my hands under acceleration, accompanied by a loud repetitive 'thud' sound. Turned-out my CV-joint boot was torn and after sitting at work all day the slush and stuff had froze which caused it to bind. New axle solved the problem.
I'm not saying that's what it is, just something else that's a possible cause?

 

How much?

 

http://internetautomart.com/maxima/3rdgen/susp.html
the arms are 62.50 ea and the poly bushing kit is $30