I checked out the specs of an 02 gxe and noticed the turning radius to be just 17.7' compared to my se's 20'. Anyone know what nissan changed to reduce the radius....a steering bump stop, wheel bearing? thanx.

 

Freakin' A and is there any way to reduce the radius on our 2k2/2k3 models or are we SOL?

 

I've always wondered about that.....My 2k seems to have the turning radius of a dumptruck.....

 

yah i hate the f-in turning radius on the 5th gens...

 

17" rims vs 16" rims.

 

I don't see how the rims size will effect the radius unless the offset is different, stilll, i also own a 4thgen gxe, but when i upgraded to 17s, the turn radius did not go up.

 

Your only solution is to get the 16" rims like the one in the GXE's model. The benefits of lighter weight 16" rims will yield better acceleration, ride, and improved turning radius! Also, get a good set of performance tires and your handling will be comparable to the 17" wheels.

 

One thing is for sure, you get a lot of practice doing 3-point turns in a 5th gen maxima.

 

i also forgot to mention the steering ratio/turns is higher on a gxe too, I think 2.9 compared to 2.6. There's got to be steering bump stop on our SEs. Nissan probably wanted more clearence with 17"s. i don't think it would rub even wiithout the stop since there was no rubbing with my 97gxe w/ 17".

 

there are bump stops to prevent rubbing on the tires. it sux but o well.

 

I've owned the 2000 SE and currently own a 2002 SE. The 2000 had a better turning radius than my 2k2. Odd huh?

 

WRONG WRONG WRONG, on 2k2 2k3 there is a white turning stop/bolt on the steering knuckle. It bumps right against the suspenison peice. Its a bolt with a white plastic cover. Remove it. You'll get your turning radius back. Some of us have removed it for over a year, and had no rubbing or problems otherwise.

 

where is this located? i really need to remove this
do u have a pic?

 

i dont but turn one of your wheels all the way over, and look behind it, you'll find a stud screwed into the knucle, not doing anything. thats what you remove.

 

what do u mean the knuckle?

 

GODAMN YOU...hahahhhaah fine i'll take ap icture tommrow you bish, shoot me an e-mail to remind me. hahaha

 

Yeah there was a bold with a white plastic cap right behind the wheel hub or steering knuckle I believe.So chinaonnitrous1,by removing this bold you get a better turning radius,I alway hate my 03 cause the turning radius svck.My 96 turn better.

 

HAHA. Well it will benefit the community.. Think of it that way chinaonnitrous1

 

I also believe you can adjust that bold,like tighten it more or loose it more for more or less turning radius right?

 

that i dunno, but the radius is so ****ty i just ripped the sucker out...felt like i was driving a buss making u-turns, looking hella stupid.

 

ahahha lol, cmon! take a pic

 

Do you mean bolt?

 

So what you're saying is that we CAN remove the bolt with no ill effects? I remember somebody posting about this a long time ago but we never got an update so it looks like it is possible to fix our shisty turning radius! Can't wait for the pictures so I can start removing bolts (2, at least).

 

How much does this reduce the radius by?

Why wasn't this mod added to the forum sticky???

 

mainly because the person who did it originally got flamed to hell, like usual, people talking 'ish....and he got ****ed and offended. I'l be posting pics later.

 

:

 

word NT2SHBBY


So this bolt only serves duty as a stop fot the steering meaning we can remove this bolt without any ill effects to the car. Pics and i am on my way to the parking lot with a wrench............
WHEELMAN

 

i heard the stops are the there to protect the power steering pump.
you know that wining sound you hear when you turn your wheel all the way? thats the power steering pump.
so im thinking if you removed the stops and turned your wheel all the way it cant be good.
the stops are there for a reason!! nissan didnt say "lets **** maxima drivers off by putting a otherwise needless stop so they get sh!tty turning radius"

 

omg, so there is a solution...i can't wait for the pic, i'll just rip the bolt out once i c it....thank you chinaonitrous1 .

 

What the hell does a 2k2 GXE look like???
show some picks of the rear.

 

My 2K's turning radius sucks too. I have 235/45-17 on stock wheels right now.
I believe tire width has something to do with turning radius, along with offset. That's probably why 16" wheels give you a better radius--the tires aren't as wide.

 

Thats what i've always thought. When the wheels are turned all the way, the pressure in the power steering is very high, so increasing the amount the wheels can turn would further increase this pressure, correct? I'm not sure how much more the wheels will turn, but I'd be a little worried about causing damage due to increased power steering fluid pressure

 

I really doubt it will increase the stress on the power steering pump. Otherwise why would they not include it on a GXE which is allowed to steer more (2.9 turn to turn lock compared to se’s 2.6). It is unlikely Nissan uses different pumps for each model. The steering stop is more likely used to prevent the 17” wheels from rubbing the suspension parts in extreme conditions like making a u-turn/tight turn w/ full steering lock on really bumpy pavement or something.

 

if thats the case then what is that noise? you can look and see that even 16s wont come close to rubbing.
and even if it was for that reason, you dont want that either. so either way the stops are there for a reason

 

the whining sound is the power steering pump complaining (high pressure), i know that. but I'm not sure if taking out those bumpers would increase pressure more. When ya hit the bumpers, I guess that would create some extra stress just because it provides resistance, right?

 

just posting to subscribe to this thread...cuz i definitely wanna see the pics when they come around. Ive got 2 maximas in my family, ive got a 2k gxe and mom has a 2k se, but i drive hers a lot and yes it is like a dump truck when turning in her car.

 

nah

my 2k had stock 16s and turning radius always sucked.. i can't believe how much more room it takes for the car to make a U-turn..

my 4th gen needed like 3/4 of the space the 5th gen takes.. unbelievably dumb thing on a car like this.

 

update?
__________

 

Where's the pic??

 

like a gle but there is no badge like "se" or "gle" there
it's like this from 2000-2003...2k2 gxe has chrome tails too

i remember this thread too...i remember reading that "nissan spent all this money in r&d and they wouldn't just give out a big turning radius for fun..they would cut it down"

something along those lines...if there are no side effects I don't see the harm in doing this