I have a 1996 Max the jerks to the left or right randomly. I took the car for in for alignment at TK. The service guy said I need to change the Rack & Pinion bushings before they could align it. TK quoted me $480; so I'm still jerking down the road. I called the dealer and the bushings are only $12.60 per side. The part #'s are 54444-31u00(R) and 54445-31u00(L). The dealer quoted $342 for the bushings and install. I'm on a serious budget so I want to DIY. I bought the Haynes Book for the Max, but I can't find a description for this job. Has anyone changed these?

 

Bump for insight^^^^

 

It's not the hard of a job to do. Get your car up on jack stands and take a look at the bushings holding the rack up against the subframe.

Take the tie rod ends off, disconnect the steering shaft and loosen any clamps holding the power steering hoses in place. Then take out the bolts holding the rack in place, lower it enough to get the old bushings out and put the new ones in.

Have your front end alignment set when your done.

I'm pretty sure you can replace the bushings without disconnedting all the power steering lines.

 

Thanks for the encouragement Tom. I think I'm gonna tackle this one too. We found a worn rod end yesterday doing my alignment and I've wanted to replace my R&P bushings too since they're at 100K.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=322610

 

Thanks so much Njmax and Maximus. I'm going to pick these up like Monday. If anyone has more tips or pics please reply.

 

^^ More help please. I can't find any details on this job in the Haynes.

 

http://forums.azmaximas.org/viewtopic.php?t=499


$6 ea at www.rockauto.com

as for installing i never done it but don't think is that hard anyway try to figure it out

at this rate rockauto should pay me for everytime i refer someone

 

sup kenny

 

Maximus to the rescue again. What up Luke

 

From the pic the bushings appear to be split on the back so they slip over the rack. Does the Rack = Steering gear? Between these threads and the Haynes I should be able to get it.

 

u know somethings wrong when the dealer has the lowest price

 

maybe the dealer won't change anything a charge it anyway or theres a misunderstanding and they offer to change the sway bar or and end link bushings anyway it should not be that expensive

 

Yeah, I thought both prices are out of line. This job seems rather simple.

 

Hey I had this random jerking a while back, and it would only happen when I accerelated or let off the accelerator. It turns out my control arm bushings were completely destroyed because of an oil leak from the valve cover gaskets.

 

Yeah, I remember we discussed that on AIM. When I called the dealer he said you have to buy the entire control arm. They are like $200/side for just parts. I going to pick up the R&P bushings tomorrow. I want to start with the cheapest thing first. The dude at TK says those were bad and rufused to do the alignment. On Wednesday after I put them in; I'm going to take it for an alignment. I want them to try to run some bull on me then.

 

you CAN just change the ball joint just take control arm out remove a snap ring holding the ball joint and press it out press the new one in that you can but at www.rockauto.com and thats it they run for $30+ ea to press them in maybe $20 for the 2 of them

 

oh yeah that thing is really easy to replace. Remove the 2 bolts holding the bracket, then you should be able to pull your old bushing by hand. You might need a flat head screw drives is the hand method doesn't work.
The new bushings are split on the back so yeah to install it it just slides on top of the rack. You might need to move the rack a little bit to get the rear sections in all the way.
Once the new bushing is in place just put the bracket back, and put your bolts back in.

Tips: Its way easier if you remove your air intake since going from the top is the only way you can break lose that top bolt.
You will need lots of pb blaster because those bolts can be a PITA to remove. I honestly can say those bolts are worst that the cat bolts

good luck!

 

Bump that, they told me the same thing and I ordered a set of PolyUrethane bushings from courtesy for $30, and installed them(install is not easy, we gave up twice)

 

to install control arms bushing is not that hard is even easier if you have the haynes manual you just have to press the old ones out and the new one just slip in but you have to remeber not to tight the bolts all the way until you put tire back in and car is lowered on the ground check maual

 

I'm glad this thread is getting so much info. My girl picked up the parts today. Now, that her mom knows I'm fixing it. She says take it to a shop. If I can get out of it fine with me. I was looking forward to this job though. The only car I really work on is my Altima.

 

Yea, but when the car is lowered that isnt an option. Reason it wasnt so easy was because we didnt have a press so we ended up hacking off the metal ring.

 

its not about options is about doing it right you can take your car to a place where the rent a car lift (whatever the name is)where you put your car on a ramp a lift the whole car then you can work underneath the car you can do all the work at home tight evrything to specs then take car there and loose the nuts and retight while your car is leveled

sorry about my grammar i'm on a learning process

 

I dont think we have places like that around here, especially where they would let you use their tools.