I was backing in the GLE last night and the steering felt very heavy. (compared to the legend and other cars I have driven).
I could still turn it with one hand.....

Is this normal??
Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

steering on the 02-03's is speed sensitive...not sure bout your 00

 

so basically the slower you are going the harder the steering and the faster you are going the lighter the steering...

ok well that makes sense...
thanks

 

you got it!

 

That's bassackwards bro. The slower you're going, the lighter and softer it gets, and the faster you're giong the heavier and harder it gets. When driving, you don't need much help from the power steering anyway.
Think about it. You don't want a light steering when going triple digits speeds. I know i don't.

 

Next time try releasing the parking brake...

j/k

 

i personally think that the steering on my 2k2 GLE is too light. at high speeds, it makes it feel like i don't have enough control of my car.

 

get a strut tower bar, lowering springs and GR-2 struts, you'll feel control again!

 

Thanks for all the input.......so then what the deal with my car?? The steering is not light at highway speeds its just fine......
it only get harder when you are parking....

 

Definitely.. Do your suspension work.. I know with coilovers and front,rear,and rear tower strut bars the car doesn't even shake and I totally feel in control when I do 160+mph all the time

 

160+?!?!?! and you have HOW many POINTS on ur license?

 

hahha, i'm working on it. FSTB and RSB so far...springs (maxspeeds or eibach) and GR2's coming...

 

I've done all that to my suspension and though the handling is 200% better the steering is still too light. The over boosted power steering is the cause, "speed sensitive steering" is a load of BS. My steering doesn't get any heavier at high speeds. That's my only complaint with my Max.

 

Umm.. It was 14.. But I got a one of those defensive driving classes. So I have 10 now

 

at least this is where the 00/01 people rule...HA HA
our steering is a lot more nicer then the 2k2/2k3 maxes.
i remember test driving one of those, and when i went out of the dealer i saw how soft that thing was, took out on the highway, and it felt soft i must say, went back to my car, turned the wheel, it felt like mine wasnt even power steered lol,

suspension on the 00/01 SE maximas is better then the 2k2/2k3 SE maximas, also i like the wheels better on the SE 17" 00/01 then the 02/03

 

+ Xenons
+ Auto Power window down
+ 17" Wheels
+ 6-Speed
+ heated steering wheel
+ etc...

j/k

I prefer my 2k3, but to each his own. I'm glad that you are happy with your 2001 after the new model came out. I feel the same way when I look at the 2004! Funny, the Maxima seems to be the only car that gets worse with the new models.

 

An eighty-five year old grandma whose head doesn't reach the dashboard driving half on the sidewalk could easily turn our '03 Max at any speed. It took me awhile to trust the steering control since the power-steering-on-steroids does all the work for you. Steering is actually pretty smooth, doesn't wander too much, and probably is an engineering marvel, but still feels a little odd. I think we've found the missing 15 Bhp...