One thing I miss about my SE-R was the tight steering feel. It wasn't oversensitive like the Maxima. Is there any way to modify the steering so it feels tighter? No I will not disable the power steering.

 

my maxima has very happy steering, the steering wheel feels very little resistance when driving on highway.

 

do you mean like tighter steering? like on a bmw or an audi?

 

That would be a better choice of words, yes.

 

I've always wonder the same thing. Would be great if somehow you could "turn down" the power steering at will to "tighten" things up.

 

my steering doesnt feel loose at all

 

When I was at Nissan school i do remember the trainers talking about a way to tighen up the rack and pinion so it wasn't soo loose feeling but that once it was tightened, there was no going back. Im pretty sure it involved tightening the bolt near the pinion. Ill try to see if theres any info on this at work.

 

yes i would like to know as well! subscribed

 

There is few guys on the org including myself who have bought an aluminum steering adaptor from a group deal, about 2 years ago. It replaced the stock one wich is made of plastic and has a rubber bushing. I never got to install it but I will test it next spring.

I'll post some pics tomorrow after work.

 

Details Please!

 

^^you said it

 

There's an adjustment screw right next to where the steering column enters the rack. It's covered in ST, 22 or 23 depending on year.

 

indeed we wanna know

 

I remember that thread...

Results from search:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-steering.html

 

Is the OP looking for a more precise steering feel or a firmer one? I wouldn't mind the steering being alittle less boosted, but bushings arent gonna change that.

 

ok here you go:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y89...a/IMG_0460.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y89...a/IMG_0456.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y89...a/IMG_0457.jpg

 

would that piece really make the steering have the tight feel? My max's steering isnt loose by any means like a ford, but its no where near on par with a audis or bmws(nor do I ever expect it to be)

If we could figure out how to make it tighter I would be very happy.

 

It will reduce any sort of slop from the column to the rack, yes. When you turn the wheel, you're directly driving the rack vs compressing the stock bushing.

 

so in terms since its directly driving the rack it will produce the tight feel

 

Tighter, yes, but only up to the rack itself. If it's just old and worn out, this can't help that.

 

okay. well im assuming that what the OP was asking was if it is possible to make our steering have that tight precise BMW like feel. As i understand it theoretically the steering is "tighter" with the mod but its not going to be like the BMW tight

 

I'm in the same boat.... thought replacing struts and dropping would help but I still get a little wiggle in the steer. Amplified when I hit bumps on the highway. 2002 max -replaced with kyb-2's and H&R struts. Mech says tie rods are fine... but yeah looking to tightening up that steering. Here's a link from another MAX forum that I've been posting on. http://forums.nycmaximas.org/showthread.php?t=41127

 

Yes thats right, there is an adjustment you can make to the steering rack that can tighten or loosen the "rack sliding force" thus making the steering itself a little tighter. I've never actually done this before but according to the trainers it seemed to tighten up alot of rack slop felt in the early 2000 maximas. Ill try to post pics but i found the info on page PS-25 in the FSM for a 2005 Maxima.

That metal bushing or whatever you guys are talking about, may help but im sure the OP is talking about actually making the steering wheel stiffer or cutting down on the power steering assist.

Another thought would be an underdrive pulley for the power steering pump? Or maybe even just the crank?

The above is from the FSM and those are the specs listed however im sure if you want, you may increase your rack sliding force to your liking. Again i haven't done this so i don't know what to expect so if anyone wants to try it, i would recommend starting in small increments and seeing how well it worked and post back.

 

Turbizzy... beat you to it. Got this from my A33 manual. Thanks for the info. Gonna take it back to the mechanic by the end of the week and ask him what he thinks. Partly my fault, I should have made him test drive the vehicle after he put in the springs & struts. By the way how much labor do you think is involve to get this done? Costs?

 

Thanks for the info, let me guess that with the aluminum puck that should make the steering direct and tight.