Just bought a super condition 97 GXE. I have searched the forum and didn't find good news... I would like to get more steering resistance, or FEEL from the steering wheel. There is no leaking or issues with the rack or steering components. Stock wheels with new tires and aligned. I'm replacing my PS fluid today with Dexron III per the owner's manual to see if that helps firm it up. What I'm asking is there some way to decrease the overly sensitive, overly modulated power steering so there is some resistance when turning the wheel. I like cars that provide some resistance and feedback while steering, this car feels so light it's obnoxious. I think the 97 has a speed sensitive steering module; is there a way to override that to tell the steering pump to boost feel at all speeds? Anyone with insight, I'd really appreciate your help. Thank you!

 

OK, I swapped out PS fluid today with Dexron III and there is no difference in steering feel. The old fluid actually looked pretty darn good, still red at least, and no weird aroma. So I guess it's time to learn to live with it? Anybody? Bueller? Anyone ever try to hot wire the speed sensitive steering control so the amount of fluid could be modified by dialing in a stronger setting?

 

Just delete the power steering pump altogether

You wouldn't be the first

 

I agree with it feeling light. I hate it as well. Not very stiff feeling. It's like you think you can easily snap something on the rack n pinion. Only thing I know of that may help is to tighten up the outer tie rod ends. Manual says torque the bolts at 25-28 ft/lbs. I say go at least 30-35 and see if that makes a difference. Don't want to over do it though. I once did my outer tie rod ends, and went to torque them down but my torque wrench didn't properly click at the correct setting. I over tightened them and went for a test drive, very stiff response.

 

I'm not trying to hijack ur thread, but I just got an alignment and now the car feels super floaty and jumpy (light) so I agree on the steering wheel feel.Very easy to spin, I want more resistance. I have a 99 maybe a new steering rack perhaps? or is that overkill? btw I just installed moog problem solver tierod ends before the alignment, and my wheel bearings are good.

 

I'd hate to dump a steering rack that isn't leaking. Is it true that the 97 has a speed senor that is supposed to modify steering feel at higher mph? I had a 90 Ford Probe GT that did that, and it was very cool. I may feel some difference on the highway, but not much. I read an article about a guy that put a control on his control so that he could open and close the fluid flow to the rack by hijacking this controller from inside the car.

 

That thought occurred to me. I might take off the pump drive belt and see. It would probably set off a on-board diagnostic sensor, LOL!

 

Although the Max is well-known for it's over-boosted PS, I was surprised to find out that swapping out my steering wheel with one from a 300ZX made the feel MUCH MUCH BETTER.

After looking at it, the stock wheel is constructed mostly as a welded wire basket. It actually behaves somewhat like a spring, where the wheel from the 300ZX was much more rigid and at first felt REALLY WEIRD. But after getting used to it, I can tell you that it's got a much better feel, and the "boostiness" has diminished somewhat.

Something else you can do is get bigger tires. I have 245/45R18s on 18x8 wheels and that creates a lot more tire resistance as well. Try swapping to a better steering wheel, and you may find that you feel much more connected to the road.

Another thing which really helped diminished the "dead-spot" in the middle was replacing the steering rack bushings with ES polyurethane bushings. There's no dead spot anymore.

 

I wouldn't waste your time. I've tried it. The car is undriveable and a ***** to turn under 5mph.

 

Get a slightly smaller steering wheel, and problem solved.

This is what I did on my Max and I really like the tighter steering response as an added benefit.

 

I bought 17" 2002 SE rims and installed 235/45/17 Michelins. Huge improvement in sterling repose. Still light in parking but better grip and cornering.

 

My steering has often had a loose feel also. Changing the inner tie rods helped. But still not perfect. And then, after having bought the beck arnley myself personally...some places during alignments still claim that I need to replace them because it's "loose." I just replaced it couple years ago. So I go someplace else to get an alignment. My regular mechanics though seem to have no issue aligning it.

I've kind of grown accustomed to the lighter steering feel. In the snow, and when finding myself sliding, I feel the extended play of the steering has helped make maneuvers better. Overly responsive steering in snow is bad. Shaky, jerky cars like my friends '15 Honda Civic don't feel grounded to me. I drove someone's Mercedes before that Had a nice, firm steering wheel.

I also like how the older steering wheels like ours, you can rest your hand on the bottom. These newer cars, they're made like aircraft steering wheels...almost forcing you to drive with 2 hands in the 11 and 2 position.

 

I'm waiting to install my Red Lion steering column bushing. That paired with my R34 steering wheel should be nice.

 

how about LTB - Stage II ?? that stiffened the crap out of the entire front end including the steeting wheel feel.

and for realistic non reminiscent 2016 approach Ultra Racing makes an equlivalents to matts i would call it a LTB- Stage 1.5

 

What are you talking about? Some better idea of your suggestion, please.

 

blemco a retired company (forum member matt93se) made a lower tie bar in two versions stage one and stage two (two just bigger and better) for 3rd gen 4th gen and 5th gen maximas

it connects at the control arms and subframe areas, it is by far my favorite modification to the day on my 5th gen maxima.

it drastically increased stiffness/handling of the entire front end, including the direct feeling/stiffness/handling of the steering wheel

if you cant find that now rare piece in 2016, Ultra Racing makes a similar one for 4th gen chassis (A32) which is similar enough and i am assuming you could get similar results w that . search ebay or web a32 ultra racing bars

 

OK, so these are frame braces. I can see how these would prevent body roll, but how do they firm up the overmodulated power steering? So I see A32 covers the 94 to 98 vintage Maxima body. Interesting, I'm not sure which one of these separate braces would deliver the result though.

 

LOWER TIE BAR, it connects to the control arms, which are intertwined with the steering.

 

I've looked at the possibility of directly changing how the PS boost performs.

It's variable rate, meaning that boost is reduced at higher speeds. I don't know if this is mechanically or electronically controlled but...

There is a regulator valve that controls this which could theoretically be changed. I don't know of anyone who has done this.

If this is electrically controlled, I expect that a simple circuit modification adding/removing resistance would do the trick.

Honestly though, after changing to a more substantial steering wheel, the feel is pretty good. The stock wheel stores up potential energy like a spring which is released after you stop moving the wheel. While this make things easy and light it also contributes to the muddy steering response.

Caveat: Changing your steering wheel means you will need to figure out if you want things like airbags, horn, cruise-control, and blinker-auto-shutoff to work correctly. I used a 1995 300Z steering wheel and kept the airbag, but am currently having to modify the horn/blinker wiring to get that working again.

 

Just wanted to chime in on the Blehmco bar... After having it installed, the steering felt a lot more crisp and responsive than without.

Just my $0.02...

 

Urethane rack bushing make a world of difference too.. its take the squashy out..

 

What did you do with your Cruis control switches?

 

I believe it's the 97 rack & pinion that has the higher gear ratio and has more feedback?

 

RedLion Steering Column bushings are a must have for increased steering feel and tightness!