Opinion: Turing Radius of 02 Maxima Issues: Steering noise (cracking, rubbing)
 

On an 02 Max (5.5 Gen), is everyone happy with their turning radius? One thing that bothers me the most is the large radius especially when making U-Turn or pulling into parking lot.

Also, I am experiencing noise (cracking or rubbing but not binding) coming from the bottom of the the steering column as I turn the wheel from one extreme to the other. Anyone have any ideas on what's going on (e.g. Rack or univesal joint)? Outer rods were replaced recently. I'd hate to think it's the rack because re-man rack from autoparts store runs for over $500.

Thanks.

is it stock?
mine has the squeaking noise coming from the strut mount bushings when the steering is at full lock and the wheels are going over small bumps.
it's very common for maximas.

front struts replaced with Tokico BLUE, strut bearing, bump stops, and dust boots. Did not replace bushing (insulator), spring seat, spring, etc. Do you think I should replace the insulator? It's got 115k miles now and I got it when it had 90k miles.

loudest noise comes when backing/pulling parking spot slowly.

Any opinion about the large turning radius issue?

Thanks.

the one thing I dislike about how my maxima drives is the poor turning radius. Its annoying and makes getting into tight parking spaces and such difficult

When my Dad drove my car, he said it is pretty smooth, pulls hard and the turning radius is horrible! My brother's old Mountaineer turns tighter and it was AWD. No fix that I know of.

Turning your wheels all the way is going to be somewhat noisy. You'd have to get under the car and poke around to see if there is a problem in the suspension or steering rack that is causing the noise.

hmmm...so it's really just not in my mind (as least 2 people think the radius is horrible), or worse that could indicate the car had been in an accident and later rebuilt.

WIll poke around to pinpoint the noise - when it stops snowing here in NY. It's embarassiing to backup the Max. with screeching noise and people looks at you funny.

i noticed the turning radius sucks aswell but i think i can deal with it.

The noise you are probably experiencing is the turn limiter stud on the spindle actually hits the control arm when at full lock and there is a little piece of plastic that wears off so when it you are at full lock and the suspension moves the stud rubs on the control arm and makes noise.

I knew about the turning radius before I bought my Max. I thought I could live with it, but after having to do a couple 3-point turns, it got tired of it. Within the first week of ownership, my very first mod was removing the steering stops. It doesn't turn like a compact car, but I've never had to worry about 3-point turns anymore.

steering bump stops...plastic caps which don't last long, once they break on lock to lock turns you'll get the noise and the weird steering feel.

I don't think the stops have anything to do with the crackling, screeching sound. I think you may have multiple problems such as p/s belt tension, and possible worn strut mounts or ciol isolators....You may wanna find a warm dry garage somewhere in your area...GL

I had some scraping noises coming from the front of my 2000 maxima. It ended up being the CV boot, and it was torn and needed to be replaced. not sure if thats your problem but just an idea

Turning radius blows in all 5.5 gens. I always look like an idiot when I can't make a u-turn properly.

They make frightening loud metallic crackling noise (at extreme turning position only). A small amount of heavy grease eliminates it forever.

Yes... the turning radius certainly sucks. It takes some getting used to and a slight change in slow, tight-turn driving style! Just gotta deal with it, unfortunately.

I get creaking noise when I'm at full left lock, but haven't really looked into. The noise wasn't until after I put the coilovers on. :)

The turning radius is terrible, a little searching makes that quite evident.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html

Does anyone know the Part Number for the left bump stop? When I bought my 02 Max last week the old owner said the left one was missing and he ordered the wrong part from the dealer. Twice. I want to make sure I get it right the first time.

And where is it located??

I looked in the FSM and found nothing on it. Or I'm looking in the wrong place.

Thanks.

For your A33B SE:
Plastic cap for the stopper: 40039-D0100, $1.87 from Courtesy.
Stopper bolt: 40038-3Y400, $5.26 from Courtesy.

Stopper location as shown in SU-5 (highlighted in red):
http://boredmder.com/pics/maxima.org...ering-stop.png

Excellant. Is this off the Courtesy website?? I couldn't find anything like this in the FSM.

And I think I was searching with the wrong name on the Courtesy site. I was searching for Bump and stop and Bump Stop.

Shipping will probably cost more than the part. I am going to the local Nissan dealer on Tuesday to pick up my new rubber winter mats. Maybe they'll stock this.


Thanks Again.

Buy the Murano steering bump stops, Maxima ones are full plastic, Muranos have a metal "cap" which makes them last longer.

Do they fit on the stock Max bolt or do I have to buy Murano bolts??

Yes they fit no problem, I'm using them right now.

a thread about peoples' opinions on turning radius - something you can't do a damn thing about. brilliant......

:banghead:

If you want turning radius by a versa, otherwise develop some driving & parking skills and enjoy the ride

I never thought I'd hear something so correct from a CANADIAN n00b :spin:

So no issue with removing the steering stop? Such as tires rubbing against the lower strut/spring seat or balance/handling issue? I'd like to remove it too to help with 3-point and u-turn.

I think you're right about strut mounts or coil isolators but not about p/s tension - screech is heard way before steering stops get hit at the extreme ends. Replacing strut mounts and coil isolators are way cheaper than replacing a new rack and pinion. Thanks for your ideas.

do you guys live in a miniature town or something? In five years with the maxima, I never once had to do a three-point turn except in extremely tight parking garages :gotme:

The picture is from the FSM, SU-5 for the '02.

The part numbers are from FAST, linked to Courtesy.

Any certain year??

The turning radius on my 5.5 is horrible. A Chevy Silverado has a better turning radius. I can't even make a legal U-turn at a light w/o having to give myself enough room by staying as far right on my left turn lane (almost close to the next lane) to begin my turn. I have learned to adjust the last 7 years.

Has anyone found a modification to alter the steering radius w/o causing any future problems?

Oh i know the pain....sometimes i think a tractor trailer can turn around better than my Maxima. I have an HHR panel for work and that thing does circles in itself. Hop in the Maxima and i have to be much more careful when I do a U-turn.

Get used to it, people. You drive a fairly small FWD car with a horizontally opposed V6. There isn't room to make the wheels turn enough to have a small turning radius. Try driving a T5 volvo. They're even worse.

FWIW 'horizontally opposed' V6 doesn't make any sense; a horizontally opposed engine is a flat engine, such as an H4 or H6.

lol never heard anyone call our cars small before.

Oh, absolutely. Transitioning from my old 1999 Maxima to my 2003 Maxima, the lousy turning radius was the very first thing I noticed.

The 5th gen turning radius... not so good.

lol compared to the 88 Town Car i used to drive its small :D

My mom's i30, which is supposed to be the same as 5.5 gens, turns better and I've experimented with this. But it doesnt make much sense why.

The i30 ('00-'01) is a 5th gen, the i35 is a 5.5.

the Mitsubishi Evolution 9 have very bad turning radius also.... you would think such a small car would have a good turning radius.. :P

ok, I know that. What I meant was, I thought the chasis/suspension and all that were the same. I just cant see how the 2 would be so different in their turning radius when they have the same chasis