Opinion: Turing Radius of 02 Maxima Issues: Steering noise (cracking, rubbing)
#1
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.
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.
#3
loudest noise comes when backing/pulling parking spot slowly.
Any opinion about the large turning radius issue?
Thanks.
#5
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.
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.
#6
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.
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.
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.
#7
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.
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.
#8
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.
#10
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
#13
#14
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.
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.
#15
The turning radius is terrible, a little searching makes that quite evident.
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
5th gen and up have a crap turning radius, get used to it.
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-radius.html
#16
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.
And where is it located??
I looked in the FSM and found nothing on it. Or I'm looking in the wrong place.
Thanks.
#17
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.
And where is it located??
I looked in the FSM and found nothing on it. Or I'm looking in the wrong place.
Thanks.
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):
#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.
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.
#24
#25
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.
#26
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.
#27
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
#28
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.
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 part numbers are from FAST, linked to Courtesy.
#30
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?
Has anyone found a modification to alter the steering radius w/o causing any future problems?
#31
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.
#32
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
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.
#33
FWIW 'horizontally opposed' V6 doesn't make any sense; a horizontally opposed engine is a flat engine, such as an H4 or H6.
#34
#35
The 5th gen turning radius... not so good.
#38
#40