Every morning when i pull my car out of the garage and turn the wheel its extremely heavy and hard to turn. This seems to go away once im moving and the car has warmed up. Also i noticed the car makes a very loud screetch(sorta like a loose belt) sound when i turn the wheel all the way to either side when parking.

anyone have some input on this?

thanks,

Ant

 

check ur power steering fluid

 

Check your fluid, just in case. What you describe sort of sounds like "morning sickness", where the steering is heavy until the PS rack warms up. It is due to a worn valve in the mechanism. I'd suggest doing a google search of morning sickness power steering and see if it sounds familiar. I haven't heard alot of problems with Maximas, but at your vehicles age or mileage, maybe it is worn. I think there is a increase load on the PS pump at extreme steering angles that can cause the PS pump belt to slip and cause a screech.

 

My car does too, but mine was made on friday, so I don't know. Have jeff take a look at it.

 

Does it make the loud screech (during parking) after the car has warmed up? Do the cheap maintenance first. Change the power steering fluid. Either flush the entire system, or drain and refill the power steering reservoir multiple times, at least 8 times or about 3 qt. Use Dexron 3.

 

Do you have wider tires? I have 235's and when standing still it is pretty hard to turn the wheel. Also, do what they said.

 

I don't see why to change the power steering, If there is no moving partrs in the power streeing unit. It is not like the transmistion which has many moving parts in it. Power Steering Fluid does not get bad.

 

yea the car still makes that loud screech even when its fully warmed up and been drivin for a while...

my fluid level is fine, but it does look a lil burnt.

Ant

 

I had the same problem with my 98 Maxima GXE. Regular Radial tires. I took it to the dealer and they said it was becuase of the Power steering unit being slightly loose. I mostly noticed it when I start the engine and then turn the steering sideways and also when I turn to one side fully. But I started having that only after I had my engine replaced after a flood.