Every time I get into a rental car with very low mileage, I think the feeling in the steering wheel is amazing. I rented a dodge caliber in New York last week and it feels like the steering wheel is directly connected to the wheels. What I mean is that, the slightest move in the steering wheel is directly transmitted to the wheels, which is a feeling that I don't have with my 7 years old Maxima. When driving my car, it almost feels like there is some lag in the steering.

So here are my questions:

1) Would replacing the steering bushings with ES bushings make the steering feel tighter?
2) How hard is it to replace them?
3) I looked on the .org and on internet and couldn't find a DIY to replace them. Does anyone here know a place where I can find DIY instructions?
4) Is there any other inexpensive (< $150) part I could replace myself to make the steering feel tighter?

Thanks!

 

How old are your shocks/springs? I bought my car two weeks ago and it was scary loose in the front end. Shocks/springs helped a lot. Control arm bushings are very high priority. Steering feel will always be just a bit numb I suspect, that is just how the car is designed.

 

My springs/struts have never been changed and the car has 110k miles. I actually have already ordered KYB GR2 struts, eibach springs, front strut mounts and front strut boots last week. They should all be in transit to my house by now. I'll install them soon, and I was thinking while I'll have the car jacked up, I might as well try to make the steering feel newer. How hard would it be to change the control arm bushings myself?

 

thats part of the ****ty maxima handling. best you could do is lower it & es bushings

also look into these

http://nycmaximas.org/showthread.php?t=52700

 

ES bushings and carnal's sub frame bushings

 

ES bushings - ESPECIALLY on the LCAs if you've got any real mileage on your car. Could not believe the difference. Don't carry this too far, but adjusting the tire pressure up a pound or two will make a pretty good difference, if you're looking to go cheap. Replacing the sway bar bushings didn't do much for me.

 

This.

Out of all the minor suspension 'upgrades' i.e. end-links, ES bushings, etc., carnal's sub-frame bushings were the best as far as immediately noticeable effectiveness.

 

Are the carnal subframe bushings better than es?

 

Well, pound to pound, I think carnal's bushings (or 'collar' more accurately) are far more noticeable when you put them on. But, in all fairness, they are two different parts. The ES bushings (at least the ones I think you're referring to) are a replacement part for the stock rubber ones.

Carnal's collars are 'add-on' parts, and fill the space between existing suspension components. I PROMISE, vs. any other minor modification you can't go wrong w/ these.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...eeds-them.html

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...e-collars.html