VQdriver

i noticed my steering rack left a little fluid on my driveway this past couple of days. it used to be a slow leak where the rack itself would be saturated. now it's leaving a tiny amount of fluid on the ground left overnight. is there anything i could do to sort of slow or stop the leak or will it be a costly repair at a shop? my max is showing a little sign of older age.

ymNA

iTrader: (2)

I got the same problem couple years ago.. dealer told me it's a recall so got it fix for free ..might be wrong

VQdriver

can you give me details to the recall like a number? better yet, anyone know of nissan's recall headquarters hotline? i haven't heard of any such recall either...still, i'd rather fix it by simple means than major surgery via the nissan dealer. i guess it probably wouldn't hurt to call a dealer and ask.

southeast_first

iTrader: (3)

go to nhtsa.gov and look under tsb's for your car... there should be something about an incorrectly secured power steering clamp. that's your problem. the dealer will fix it for you, just take whatever numbers you need from the tsb.

VQdriver

unfortunately there's no such recall for my model/year. oh well. any other suggestions?

southeast_first

iTrader: (3)

yes, there is.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...component_id=0

fifth one down. look harder next time, bro!

L.I. I30t

I've got the same problem on my I30. It is the steering rack seal. My shop change the rack on a 96 max and it is a pain in the a$$. Goodluck on the recall. Just keep your eye the fluid level until you visit the dealer.

VQdriver

howcome nissan never mailed me any bulletins except for the alternator? i guess i'll call up local nissan dealers asking if they'll honor these recalls. thanks south. the browser on my computer didn't let me view the whole page. i just read it now from a buddy's computer.

VeeQueue

iTrader: (1)

For my leaky rack I used Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak. I would always have to refill the power steering fluid reservoir. The interval varied. When the fluid level was at cold min (while the engine was at operating temp) I poured the Lucas Oil Stop Leak fluid in until Hot Max. My leak stopped.

Thats my experience and I'm not responsible if you decide to use this product in your car and it blows your seals. I was told by some mechanics that this may be the case and I was willing to replace my rack with a rebuild one if it did happen to me. So far it hasn't

southeast_first

iTrader: (3)

nissan never mailed you b/c it's not a recall, just a technical service bulletin, i guess meaning it's not dangerous enough to warrant every single effected car being brought in.

bhmax16

Damn my '97 SE had a leaky steering rack and the mechanic told me it had to be replaced so I spent somewhere between $600 and $800 to replace it. Wish I knew about this 1 1/2 years ago!

ManualMaxima

iTrader: (10)

my car has this problem when i bought it, the dealer put a brqnd new steeering rack in for me for free...

joew

dam i have a leak too. where is this power steering clamp located?

izzydig

look into the TSB if it applies to you, supposed to be some $1 clamp that wasn't tightned at the factory. Don't think it was a recall, but a TSB that Nissan had their dealers do a "good-will" service for (especially since the clamp just needed to be tightened). Some dealers did 'em, some didn't want to (due to ignorance mainly).

But if ur a '95 like me, I just used some Bar's stop leak, for about a month...then flushed (aka multiple turkey baster draws and refills), the PS system with Mobil 1 ATF fluid. My rack seals were starting to get old...the ones near/on the tie rod ends. Rebuilding the rack is just pointless for me...looks like you need some kinda oil oven to release and rebuild the rack. If I were to replace the rack, I'd just trust autozone or checker.

No more PS leaks, and I'm happy for my near 250K mile maxima.

joew

i have 44k and have a leak already. here in nyc is cold out so i guess i'll wait.

goodhead

iTrader: (4)

so if i have a problem that is listed on TSB that would mean the dealer would fix it for free?

Dave Holmes

Just found this thread after I posted one in the "Fluids and Lubricants" section. Check here for my fix on the clamp issue. It's literally a 2 minute fix with the car on ramps. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=372866

Dave

joew

very good info, thanks.