I have a loose ball joint on the passengers side- before finding out about this, I got the car aligned - 2x- once after changing the axels and the bushing on one side, but the wheel is still drifting off.

But I also have another nissan, where the steering wheel faces completely right, the whole time.

For the max, at least, how do you return the steering wheel to semi even?
Is there a write-up, or is it pretty simple?

 

whomever aligns it should be able to recenter the wheel

 

A steering wheel puller would take the wheel off then you just reset the steering wheel so its straight.

 

A steering wheel puller? And I allready had my car aligned, just have to reset the steering wheel myself- any ideas? just try and pull off the steering wheel, and it's possible to reset it in correct angle?

 

you can pull the wheel off and re-seat it, but the proper way to do it is to take it to an alignment shop and have them realign the car.

that's where the thing is off- because you had it aligned with a bad ball joint so the whole steering system is shifted that direction... replacing the ball joint since last time you had an alignment means your car is now out of line again and you need to realign it.

so you just take it in, they put a little holder in the car to hold the wheel straight, then they realign it. done.

 

I too need to replace my drivers side ball joint I think... The steering wheel faces a bit right, and when cornering right it feels like the car wanna cut and I have to steer back to hold it steady. Are those symptoms a bad ball joint? Or could it be something else?

I've been under there and pushed and pulled but I can't really find any gaps or plays...

 

Mine has quite a bit of play when the mechanic turned the wheel back and forth, he was actually able to get the ball to pop out of the joint a little. Might make sense for why my steering wheel will sometimes have very strange play when cornering- like the steering wheel will move more than the car does :O

Anyone know how to get the ball joint out without removing the axel nut??
Any write-up, advice? My friend said it could be done, but didn't help

 

sure... loosen the nut on the ball joint with a 24mm wrench (or 22, I forget).. get it several threads off, then whack the crap out of the steering knuckle with a hammer right there. the ball joint will pop right out.