So i have already got a problem on my car. When I turn left i get kind of a creaking noise, I can't really tell where its coming from. How do i fix this it is bothering me

 

replace the left side bump stop cap on the steering spindle...that should fix it for $1.56.

 

Alright thanks

 

It could be a CV Joint. Or a bad bearing.

 

i got the same Noise

 

i agree. the bad bump stop is allowing the wheel to turn to far which puts strain on the power steering pump. thats the noise you hear

 

Do you hear the noise every time you turn left or only whey you completely turn the wheel to the left ex, when making a U-turn?

 

That's when i hear the Noise....

 

lol, that’s the reason I’m asking. That’s when I hear that noise too.

 

I only hear the noise when im cranked all the way.

 

ok funny thought..i bet it does it if you turn all the way to the right too. you just realize it on the left cause of the whole u-turn thing.
if it does it both ways then its normal...its the power steering pump.
dam our steering radius sucks

 

listen everyone...it's not your ps belt...it's not your ps pump. There is a plastic cap on the end of the bump stop (where it hits the lower control arm when the wheel is cranked hard over). Over time, the plastic breaks or wears out, and then the METAL end of the bump stop hits against the METAL of the LCA, causing this squeak when the car moves with the wheel hard over.

I went through the SAME questions you're asking and the same worries about the steering rack, pump, belt, strut, etc etc - until I discovered the REAL, simple culprit - the bump stop end.

Don't everyone get all spun up - this is the easiest and cheapest fix you will EVER do for your maxima. Just go to the dealer and get a new one (get both sides, they are like a buck each). Put it on, put some lithium grease on the outside of it where it rubs, and you'll be good to go.

If you go out to your car now, look at the bump stop cap, you will see it is either worn through (as my left one was) or completely missing (as my right one was).

 

Any pics? I dont quite understand what "bump" stop you're talking about.

 

A bump stop is usually what stops the suspension from compressing too much. That is, it's what stops your tire from rubbing the top of your wheelwell if you jumped the car. =)

It sounds like this is a different type of bump stop though, one to keep you from steering too far left or right. When you crank your wheel all the way, it stops because your steering rack hits the bump stop. If you're getting the sound when you crank the wheel, the little plastic part has come off and now you're hitting metal against metal instead of metal against plastic. Replace the little plastic caps and you should be fine.

..Sorry if I just reiterated.

 

This is very hard to explain but when i used to make a hard left turn , I used to get a big clank noise, or when i used to come out of the drive way and my steering would be turned all the way the clank noise will always appear, until my mechanic said to put some greese behind the hub of the front brake system, there is this thin arm joint that lets the steering only go beyond a certain point, that the point ran out of greese to where it touches just metal of the arm making a metal to metal clank noise, the greese makes it slip a bit and keep the noise from not returning, and from then on my left turns and u turns, as well as coming out of the driveway quite now. May sound weird but if you actually lift the front end and turn the wheel until you see the thin medal ror touch another part of the frame is where you need to put the greese then you can be able to tell that should be the problem because you will see the medal scuff rubbing against it, and thats where the greese needs to be spotted.

Sorry if this is a lil confusing but i hoped this help!! If you see it for youself it will be alot easier.

 

See the "Parts List & Web Sites for 5th gen Parts" thread, last entry for details on the bump stop cap

 

more specifically a 'turn stop'

if got that problem, if you turn to lock and go over a bump, you can really hear it.

i also need to tighten the ps belt, when going to lock when cold i get a chirp from the belt.