I have a new '01 Maxima SE and I just noticed the turning radius is huge compared to my old Maxima ('98). Is there a reason for this? Can I remove something to make the turn sharper? Even my old '91 Stanza has a tighter turning radius.

 

Use the search...look under turning radius...you will find several references and some potential solutions (although there is a difference of opinion on those as well)...

I know what you mean though...my AE feels like it takes as much room to turn fully around as my club cab Ram!!

 

I noticed that going from my '97 to my '00. I feel like I am driving a school bus everytime I have to turn around. It requires 5 point turns (rather than 3 point turns).

I actually think it has to do with the 17" wheels. The '00 brochure showed a difference of like 4' in the turning radius for the same SE with the 16" wheels (originally standard).

 

possible solution:

Shortening the Wheelbase

or you could try using your hand-brake! (hey! worked for me in Need 4 Speed!)

 

From the other posts the poor turning radius for the 17's are thicker stoppers in the wheel wells, this in order to prevent rubbing.

IIRC the post says you can cut them down a bit to improve things.

But I do agree turning the SE is like turning the Queen Mary!

 

 

I think that the highest disadvantage i found on the 2000+ maxima with the 17" wheels. I hate parking that fricking thing. It takes hours. Also you can take those steering stops off but you risking it may rub or damage the something down there ...Russ took it off and he said everyting is ok...and it gives him 1/4 of a turn more

I am thinking about doing it too

 

The turning radius definitely sucks. It's give and take...the longer wheelbase offers a smoother ride, while the turning radius sucks. We also have a Quest and the wheel base on the Max is larger than the Quest. Not to mention the length of the Max is longer.

 

LMFAO

 

My 4-door Explorer turns sharper than my Max!!

 

What does the owner's manual state for the turning radius with different wheel sizes?

 

My daily driver is a '96 GMC Sonoma 4x4. To turn around in that thing you have to clear a 4-block radius. By comparison, turning in my wife's 2k1 Max SE is like sticking it on a dime.

 

the handbrake works EXTREMELY well, especially when wet
just watch out for curbs and parked cars