5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-10-2009, 11:26 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Skorp1on's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
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.
Skorp1on is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 11:38 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
jasonmax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 1,646
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.
jasonmax is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 11:48 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Skorp1on's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
Originally Posted by jasonmax
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.
Skorp1on is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 11:50 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Blitzfist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rockland, NY
Posts: 448
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
Blitzfist is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 01:05 PM
  #5  
That's Mr. Detail to you
iTrader: (8)
 
Scottwax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 4,014
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.
Scottwax is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 01:22 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Skorp1on's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
Originally Posted by Scottwax
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.
Skorp1on is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 03:58 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Flat_Out's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern CT
Posts: 16
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.
Flat_Out is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 09:44 PM
  #8  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
bigEL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,307
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.
bigEL is offline  
Old 01-10-2009, 10:29 PM
  #9  
大陆弟弟
iTrader: (36)
 
n3985's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Edgewater, NJ
Posts: 4,037
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.
n3985 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 10:03 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,538
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
CMax03 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 10:29 AM
  #11  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Russellwc1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NH
Posts: 5
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
Russellwc1 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 10:33 AM
  #12  
Got Retrofit?
iTrader: (34)
 
ChrisMan287's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 14,802
Turning radius blows in all 5.5 gens. I always look like an idiot when I can't make a u-turn properly.
ChrisMan287 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:08 AM
  #13  
Member
 
boris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 251
Originally Posted by CMax03
I don't think the stops have anything to do with the crackling, screeching sound.
They make frightening loud metallic crackling noise (at extreme turning position only). A small amount of heavy grease eliminates it forever.

Last edited by boris; 01-11-2009 at 11:29 AM.
boris is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:18 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
'02_EMILBUS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Syracuse, New York
Posts: 547
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.
'02_EMILBUS is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:26 AM
  #15  
No more Maximas...
iTrader: (26)
 
pmohr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 14,331
The turning radius is terrible, a little searching makes that quite evident.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
pmohr is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 12:18 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
fflint_18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Jersey (Near Philly)
Posts: 511
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.
fflint_18 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 12:25 PM
  #17  
No more Maximas...
iTrader: (26)
 
pmohr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 14,331
Originally Posted by fflint_18
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):
pmohr is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:47 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
fflint_18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Jersey (Near Philly)
Posts: 511
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.
fflint_18 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:49 PM
  #19  
大陆弟弟
iTrader: (36)
 
n3985's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Edgewater, NJ
Posts: 4,037
Buy the Murano steering bump stops, Maxima ones are full plastic, Muranos have a metal "cap" which makes them last longer.
n3985 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:58 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
fflint_18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Jersey (Near Philly)
Posts: 511
Do they fit on the stock Max bolt or do I have to buy Murano bolts??
fflint_18 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:06 PM
  #21  
大陆弟弟
iTrader: (36)
 
n3985's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Edgewater, NJ
Posts: 4,037
Yes they fit no problem, I'm using them right now.
n3985 is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 07:22 PM
  #22  
retired moderator
iTrader: (38)
 
irish44j's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Burke, VA
Posts: 27,289
a thread about peoples' opinions on turning radius - something you can't do a damn thing about. brilliant......

irish44j is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 07:42 PM
  #23  
Junior Member
 
joeltender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bradford Ontario, Canada
Posts: 96
If you want turning radius by a versa, otherwise develop some driving & parking skills and enjoy the ride
joeltender is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 07:58 PM
  #24  
retired moderator
iTrader: (38)
 
irish44j's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Burke, VA
Posts: 27,289
Originally Posted by joeltender
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
irish44j is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 08:04 PM
  #25  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Skorp1on's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
Originally Posted by bigEL
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.
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.
Skorp1on is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 08:09 PM
  #26  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Skorp1on's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
Originally Posted by CMax03
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 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.
Skorp1on is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 08:11 PM
  #27  
retired moderator
iTrader: (38)
 
irish44j's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Burke, VA
Posts: 27,289
Originally Posted by Skorp1on
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.
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
irish44j is offline  
Old 01-11-2009, 08:47 PM
  #28  
No more Maximas...
iTrader: (26)
 
pmohr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 14,331
Originally Posted by fflint_18
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.
The picture is from the FSM, SU-5 for the '02.

The part numbers are from FAST, linked to Courtesy.
pmohr is offline  
Old 01-12-2009, 04:06 AM
  #29  
Senior Member
 
fflint_18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Jersey (Near Philly)
Posts: 511
Originally Posted by n3985
Yes they fit no problem, I'm using them right now.

Any certain year??
fflint_18 is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 03:42 AM
  #30  
Junior Member
 
rcjunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 53
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?
rcjunkie is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 06:38 AM
  #31  
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Andypot1985's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 139
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.
Andypot1985 is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 06:48 AM
  #32  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
LA02MAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
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.
LA02MAX is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 10:30 AM
  #33  
No more Maximas...
iTrader: (26)
 
pmohr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 14,331
Originally Posted by LA02MAX
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.
pmohr is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 10:42 AM
  #34  
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
PulsarGTS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cininnati, OH
Posts: 1,401
Originally Posted by LA02MAX
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.
lol never heard anyone call our cars small before.
PulsarGTS is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 10:48 AM
  #35  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Rochester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 5,296
Originally Posted by Blitzfist
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
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.
Rochester is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 12:21 PM
  #36  
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Andypot1985's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 139
Originally Posted by PulsarGTS
lol never heard anyone call our cars small before.

lol compared to the 88 Town Car i used to drive its small
Andypot1985 is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 12:29 PM
  #37  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (8)
 
pbn85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bayside, NY
Posts: 2,061
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.
pbn85 is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 12:40 PM
  #38  
No more Maximas...
iTrader: (26)
 
pmohr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 14,331
Originally Posted by pbn85
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.
pmohr is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 03:13 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
FlipCpt45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Baytown, TX
Posts: 1,122
the Mitsubishi Evolution 9 have very bad turning radius also.... you would think such a small car would have a good turning radius.. :P
FlipCpt45 is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 04:00 PM
  #40  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (8)
 
pbn85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bayside, NY
Posts: 2,061
Originally Posted by pmohr
The i30 ('00-'01) is a 5th gen, the i35 is a 5.5.
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
pbn85 is offline  


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



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:56 PM.