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Want a stiffer steering wheel

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Old 07-15-2006, 06:05 AM
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Want a stiffer steering wheel

I have a 03 max, and i love my car, but the only problem im having is the steering conditions. When im driving the steering wheel makes me feel unsafe sometimes. How can i stiffer up the steering wheel.
Right now im running on full stock.
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Old 07-15-2006, 06:09 AM
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You are goping to need to be a tad more specific about the 'feel' of the wheel in order for us to help you.
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Old 07-15-2006, 06:30 AM
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yea i think the steering on a maxima is too loose, kinda sloppy. I wish we had steering that felt like an FX...
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Old 07-15-2006, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by sublimer
yea i think the steering on a maxima is too loose, kinda sloppy. I wish we had steering that felt like an FX...
it could b worse
there is a decent amount of feedback

try driving a toyota solara
there is 0 feedback and the wheel feels like its not connected 2 the wheels at all
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Old 07-15-2006, 09:27 AM
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How many miles does your car have?
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Old 07-15-2006, 10:02 AM
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remove the power steering belt..... NutKick
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Old 07-15-2006, 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Lontar1
remove the power steering belt..... NutKick
thats funny
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Old 07-15-2006, 05:08 PM
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1. remove ps belt
2. replace tie rod ends
3. replace LCA bushings and FSB bushings
4. install Stage2 LTB
5. increase air pressure in tires.

Other than that, your only other option would be to install a solid steering rack, though I'm not aware of one available for the maxima.
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Old 07-15-2006, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by irish44j
1. remove ps belt
2. replace tie rod ends
3. replace LCA bushings and FSB bushings
4. install Stage2 LTB
5. increase air pressure in tires.

Other than that, your only other option would be to install a solid steering rack, though I'm not aware of one available for the maxima.
Please inform me my good man, what exactly does removing the PS belt do for positive feedback? If I were to guess, you are implying that the power steering adds to the loose feel?Wouldn't this also make steering "harder"? More so at low speeds? Just wondering. thanks in advanced.
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Old 07-15-2006, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by illlojik
Please inform me my good man, what exactly does removing the PS belt do for positive feedback? If I were to guess, you are implying that the power steering adds to the loose feel?Wouldn't this also make steering "harder"? More so at low speeds? Just wondering. thanks in advanced.
feedback is subjective. Removing the PS belt would not make the steering any tighter in reality, but it could give the perception of having done so.

With power steering, the "slop" that you initially feel in the steering system (when on the highway, for example) is always going to be there, but the power steering magnifies the effect of "looseness."

The only reason that I say this is that I made a short foray into installing power steering assist on my 1970 Triumph (I had to parallel park alot and thought it was a good idea at the time). The Triumph has a chambered steering rack (similar to most other cars) so there is some intial slop in steering. When the power assist was installed (it worked as it was supposed to) it REALLY made the steering floaty on the highway. The light resistance of the initial slop (non-PS) was changed to NO resistance with the PSA....
Needless to say, the power assist was removed a short time threreafter

Not a perfect comparison, but I was just saying that non-power steering could give the "impression" of tightening up steering feel, even if it's not really doing so.
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Old 07-15-2006, 06:32 PM
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oh, and yes, on a heavy car with wide tires like the maxima, taking away power steering would make it REALLY hard to turn the wheel when the car is not moving (i.e. when parallel parking). It's hard enough in my <2000 lb Triumph....
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Old 07-15-2006, 09:12 PM
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Don't I know it. I still got Popeye arms from my old Acura Legend's failed power steering.
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