One of my Co-workers believes my seals are going in my rack. Now I am not sure if this is a known problem in a Gen 4 maxima, but I have never had a leak or anything or have any abnormal steering through out driving.

Basically what happens is when I first start my car. I need to turn out of the parking lot. It is pretty tough too do it at first. I feel it being notchy tho. When I am turning the steering wheel completely until the end of its ratio it will be tough, loose, tough, lose then tough again all in spots per se and then it will be all normal after I have done that, and started to drive. It does not come back again until either it is really cold out or I have not driven the car in a day or so.

I hope I don't need a new rack or spool seals because not only is that pricey but I really can't afford to replace anything else. The car has been hell on my wallet in the past 10 months. It is just so strange that the first year was great but when you get to the 2nd year you got start replacing stuff. I put about $800 bucks in repairs so far(without labor) with mostly brakes & front end work. I really hope it is not something big.

I noticed this started happening when I put in STP Steering fluid a few months back. I bought it at a gas station (I know dumb) and it may have contained too much moisture and it is freezing I am guessing. Or I just need a complete rack flush of new fluid. I never changed the belt but it does squeak when I get the wheel through its rough spots.

 

well you gotta think how old is the car?? stuff was bound to go soon sucks it has to be you...i have kinda the same problem when i turn out of my parking lot it kinda grinds or makes a weird noise... i would suggest the flush of the steering fluid and then start from there?

 

Replace the belt on the pump, if it's old or glazed it may slip when it's cold.
Easy, cheap fix that might solve your problem. Don't go straight for the most expensive part first, troubleshoot it first by looking at the obvious.

 

I have that same problem too, but my rack n pinion boot on the driver side is busted, so that might be my problem. Besides, i live in Florida, and it doesn't get too cold, so It doesn't bother me.

 

Do you hear any whining? What about when it is happening? TThe Pump could be going, But always start out little, such as belt, flush, then start checking out the other worst case scenario Items. good luck.

 

I know what to look for when a pump is going. And no, no whinning, No loud bearing sounds. No air trapped inside. The sucker is spinning but the belt will squek a few times. I will replace it and see what happens. I need to figure out how to flush this system the cheap way. I hate doing it tho. It sucks. heh.

 

Honestly, the easiest way is taking to to a shop. Unless you have something that will suck it out, pour new fluid in. turn the wheel back and forth and suck it out. etc. etc. Just my 2 cents

 

Try bleeding the steering fluid to get new fluid in there.

 

motorvate.ca has a write up on how to flush the power steering system easily.
here it is:
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/702

 

Updated link:

http://www.motorvate.ca/node/49

 

Could be a bad ujoint in the steering shaft between the steering wheel and rack input. When you turn the weel is it tighter in two particular quadrants than the other two, for instance does it tighen up at 3 and 9 o'clock, and looser at 12 and 6? The car warming up might cuase the ujoint to loosten up.

I guess this is pretty common on fords, porsches, and some others.

 

My 99 SE (175K miles) has been doing this for years, in very cold temps the steering is very hard and fights me for a few mins after startup. I suppose I could get it flushed, but it is not leaking, and I am afraid a flush would damage the seals and start a leak... I would be careful flushing a system like this with high mileage.. replace what fluid you can (drain/refill the reservoir a few times), and btw it takes ATF, not 'power steering fluid' like the bog box stores sell.