Maxima Steering Mod.
02-25-2012, 08:49 AM
#1
Maxima Steering Mod.
Well basically there is a rubber piece that sits in the steering column. Now this is a replacement for that rubber piece. This new piece replaces the rubber piece and provides more direct feeling. The rubber pieces has flex in it when you turn the wheel. This new piece made out of 6061 T6 Aluminum. I have been driving around with this new piece for a long time now and honestly I felt a difference in the way the steering felt and in the way the car reacts.
Here is a picture of the OEM rubber piece that is located in the steering column. Next to it is the aluminium piece however that is the first design that was made. The new version is a little bit different and makes the install alot simpler.
Location of the bushings and what it looks like installed
As you can tell by the date in the picture, I have had this mod for a long time now. Some members have bought them from me as well and their opinions are below
Zero2sixtyZ said
"Steering feels more solid and stable. I feel that my OEM bushing was very worn, and needed this mod. No added vibration or anything like that, only benefits."
Islandmax said
"Pain in *** to put in, but is worth it, my stock rubber piece was really worn and soft. Steering is more direct, no added vibrations at idle or in motion."
Here is a shot of the new design
Share your thoughts and opinions Please.
thanks
-vas
Here is a picture of the OEM rubber piece that is located in the steering column. Next to it is the aluminium piece however that is the first design that was made. The new version is a little bit different and makes the install alot simpler.
Location of the bushings and what it looks like installed
As you can tell by the date in the picture, I have had this mod for a long time now. Some members have bought them from me as well and their opinions are below
Zero2sixtyZ said
"Steering feels more solid and stable. I feel that my OEM bushing was very worn, and needed this mod. No added vibration or anything like that, only benefits."
Islandmax said
"Pain in *** to put in, but is worth it, my stock rubber piece was really worn and soft. Steering is more direct, no added vibrations at idle or in motion."
Here is a shot of the new design
Share your thoughts and opinions Please.
thanks
-vas
02-25-2012, 09:14 AM
#5
Price point is going to stay the same as it did when this product became first available. It would be wrong of me to charge more now I think. So the price is $50 plus S/H + paypal fees if individuals are sending funds not labeled as gifts.
The new piece is a direct replacement for the oem piece/washers that are used. Same hardware is reused as well. Install is a bit of a pain however it is feasible with basic tools and some patience.
The new piece is a direct replacement for the oem piece/washers that are used. Same hardware is reused as well. Install is a bit of a pain however it is feasible with basic tools and some patience.
02-25-2012, 11:26 AM
#12
I do have a write-up that people have used to install the piece and I can upload it here as well.
As far as working on an a32 chassis, it will fit as well since the steering column is roughly identical.
As far as working on an a32 chassis, it will fit as well since the steering column is roughly identical.
02-25-2012, 02:38 PM
#14
BTW guys I do have a couple of them in stock already. If anybody is interested in picking one up, just send me a pm.
As far as write-up, this is what I had provided for individuals that have bought the thinner bushings a while back. The process is similar for the new thicker current bushings.
Step 1
Alright some of you might look at the piece and say I have no idea where it goes. Well the piece is located under your dash. If you look at it you see this
You see the black piece behind the pedals ? That is where it is at...
Here is a close-up of it
Now this piece is bolted with Three (3) 10 mm nuts. Remove them.
Once you remove those you would think the piece would come out. Well no it wont because it is a single solid piece. Take a something with a blade and cut it. Now when you cut it I would suggest cutting it on the back side of it so you will not see the piece cut when you look where the pedals are. Now when you cut it, pull and yank on it and it will come out. Reason for cutting it is to
A) make removing it easier
B) Installing it easier
This is what it loks like cut and removed.
You do not have to cut it though since there is enough space to pull the boot up to get to the bolt that holds the column to the steering rack.
This is the view you get when the piece is removed. I already had the aluminum piece installed but on your car it will be rubber. Pictures is the original design of the bushing.
Now the whole piece is held in with Four (4) 12mm nuts. You have to remove each one of them. Also when you are removing them, you will have to turn the sterring wheel to get access to it. It might help to have somebody hold the steering wheel for you when you are loosing it because those nuts are nylon threaded and they are on there tight. I would suggest wearing some gloves if you dont want you hands all beat up. There is alot of metal under there.
Once you remove all those 4 nuts look down and you will see the shaft connected to the rack. There is a bolt that goes straight through. Loosen the bolt but dont remove it. Just enough to pull the shaft up.
Now to get the OEM busing out you have to pull on the steering column towards the driver. But the steering column is bolted down.
next step is to unbolt it... Pictures is installing the bushing on a 4th gen but the same concept goes for the 5th gen.
Once it is removed this is what your car should look like.
Next remove the trim behind the steering wheel. It is held in with screw. This is where the screws are.
There are 6 of them. Once the screws are removed pull the trim off.
It will look like this now
As far as write-up, this is what I had provided for individuals that have bought the thinner bushings a while back. The process is similar for the new thicker current bushings.
Step 1
Alright some of you might look at the piece and say I have no idea where it goes. Well the piece is located under your dash. If you look at it you see this
You see the black piece behind the pedals ? That is where it is at...
Here is a close-up of it
Now this piece is bolted with Three (3) 10 mm nuts. Remove them.
Once you remove those you would think the piece would come out. Well no it wont because it is a single solid piece. Take a something with a blade and cut it. Now when you cut it I would suggest cutting it on the back side of it so you will not see the piece cut when you look where the pedals are. Now when you cut it, pull and yank on it and it will come out. Reason for cutting it is to
A) make removing it easier
B) Installing it easier
This is what it loks like cut and removed.
You do not have to cut it though since there is enough space to pull the boot up to get to the bolt that holds the column to the steering rack.
This is the view you get when the piece is removed. I already had the aluminum piece installed but on your car it will be rubber. Pictures is the original design of the bushing.
Now the whole piece is held in with Four (4) 12mm nuts. You have to remove each one of them. Also when you are removing them, you will have to turn the sterring wheel to get access to it. It might help to have somebody hold the steering wheel for you when you are loosing it because those nuts are nylon threaded and they are on there tight. I would suggest wearing some gloves if you dont want you hands all beat up. There is alot of metal under there.
Once you remove all those 4 nuts look down and you will see the shaft connected to the rack. There is a bolt that goes straight through. Loosen the bolt but dont remove it. Just enough to pull the shaft up.
Now to get the OEM busing out you have to pull on the steering column towards the driver. But the steering column is bolted down.
next step is to unbolt it... Pictures is installing the bushing on a 4th gen but the same concept goes for the 5th gen.
Once it is removed this is what your car should look like.
Next remove the trim behind the steering wheel. It is held in with screw. This is where the screws are.
There are 6 of them. Once the screws are removed pull the trim off.
It will look like this now
02-25-2012, 02:41 PM
#15
Now time to loosen the actual steering column. It is held with 4 nuts.
2 in the front and 2 further back
You can see the 2 nuts in this picture
And the other 2 in these next pictures.
Once those 4 nuts are removed the steering column will drop down but be careful since it kinda heavy and there is a bunch of stuff on it
Next you will yank the column towards you and the bushing will fall apart with a bunch of other pieces also.
2 in the front and 2 further back
You can see the 2 nuts in this picture
And the other 2 in these next pictures.
Once those 4 nuts are removed the steering column will drop down but be careful since it kinda heavy and there is a bunch of stuff on it
Next you will yank the column towards you and the bushing will fall apart with a bunch of other pieces also.
02-25-2012, 02:45 PM
#16
The next step is to put the new bushing into place. The latest design is a direct replacement so you will only be using the oem hardware.
Once you get the bushing into place, Put the 4 nuts and start them first by hand and then repeat the same procedure you did when you were removing them.
make sure they are tight. If you are not sure you can use some locktite. it can be purchased at any auto parts store.
Once those 4 nuts are tight lift the column up so you an put the 4 nuts back on that held it in place. If the holes dont line up push the whole assembly down. If it doesn't go down loosen that bolt I was talking about before even more
You can see that bolt in this picture at the bottom
Tighten the 4 nuts that held the steering column in place.
Now make sure the 4 nuts on the bushing are tight, the 4 nuts on the steering column are tight and make sure the bolt at the bottom is tight.
Next assemble all the plastic trim behind the steering wheel and under it. Make sure all the hardware goes back into its original place.
You are almost done but now you have to stick that cover back over the shaft of the column. This is a pain i know guys. You dont have to put it back on but you will see the shaft.
The easiest way is to align it and open it wider with your hands where you cut it and slide it over and keep working back and forth until you get it to sit the way it was before. That is why I recommend to cut the piece on the back not the front. Once you get it back on tighten the 3 nuts and you are done.....
Then send me a pm and tell me how you are mad at me for making you do this.
Take your car for a drive and see how it feels. But please make sure you checked and checked again that all the nuts on the bushing and column are tight.
Well that is a pretty straightforward write up. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Once you get the bushing into place, Put the 4 nuts and start them first by hand and then repeat the same procedure you did when you were removing them.
make sure they are tight. If you are not sure you can use some locktite. it can be purchased at any auto parts store.
Once those 4 nuts are tight lift the column up so you an put the 4 nuts back on that held it in place. If the holes dont line up push the whole assembly down. If it doesn't go down loosen that bolt I was talking about before even more
You can see that bolt in this picture at the bottom
Tighten the 4 nuts that held the steering column in place.
Now make sure the 4 nuts on the bushing are tight, the 4 nuts on the steering column are tight and make sure the bolt at the bottom is tight.
Next assemble all the plastic trim behind the steering wheel and under it. Make sure all the hardware goes back into its original place.
You are almost done but now you have to stick that cover back over the shaft of the column. This is a pain i know guys. You dont have to put it back on but you will see the shaft.
The easiest way is to align it and open it wider with your hands where you cut it and slide it over and keep working back and forth until you get it to sit the way it was before. That is why I recommend to cut the piece on the back not the front. Once you get it back on tighten the 3 nuts and you are done.....
Then send me a pm and tell me how you are mad at me for making you do this.
Take your car for a drive and see how it feels. But please make sure you checked and checked again that all the nuts on the bushing and column are tight.
Well that is a pretty straightforward write up. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
02-25-2012, 07:34 PM
#18
I think my steering rack is starting to wear, but perhaps it's just the bushing? Steering feels marginally sloppy.
02-27-2012, 05:05 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 41
02-28-2012, 07:07 AM
#21
I approve these messages. +5
Great mod, and Shift_Max is a solid seller. I kinda hate him for making solid parts so I keep spending money though. haha.
02-29-2012, 06:14 AM
#25
You are missing out. By far one of the best mods I did on the maxima for steering feel and response. My alignment guy also noticed the difference on the rack and driving the car.
Got your payment. Thanks
Got your payment. Thanks
03-01-2012, 11:13 AM
#28
the rubber bushing most likely softens road feel. most people aren't race car drivers and wouldn't like too much road feel. think of the target market the maxima holds. idk, that's my best guess.
03-01-2012, 11:32 AM
#29
03-01-2012, 05:04 PM
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 27
Yeah on bumpier or "busier" roads the wheels can move up/down/back/forth so quickly that it would translate into some harsh vibration or jerkiness at the wheel. Most drivers could care less because they'd never notice and 98% of the time aren't trying to take turns at 100 miles per hour. The difference the metal replacement makes in feel is probably minimal but still there for those who are, at least in theory, looking for a steering feel that is "tighter" than it is comfortable.
03-01-2012, 05:25 PM
#31
I remember these back a few years ago. The consensus seemed that you get a better feel for the road. That could be a double edged sword though especially if your front end is sloppy. The rubber piece softens and vibrations from the front end and from uneven bumpy roads. With this solid connection, you will definitely get more feedback. For some it is too annoying, other don't mind.
I personally wanted to try this awhile back but I don't keep my cars long enough to justify this mod as I figured when I sell I'd have to replace this with the rubber piece and it is a bit of a pain to get to. I guess the best example that I can imagine with this mod is the example of es bushings. Great product, just not for everyone due to the increased vibration feel.
Great product design. I like how you upgraded it to look more original and make it easier for installation.
I personally wanted to try this awhile back but I don't keep my cars long enough to justify this mod as I figured when I sell I'd have to replace this with the rubber piece and it is a bit of a pain to get to. I guess the best example that I can imagine with this mod is the example of es bushings. Great product, just not for everyone due to the increased vibration feel.
Great product design. I like how you upgraded it to look more original and make it easier for installation.
05-10-2012, 11:22 PM
#39
How in the world did I miss this thread?! For $50 + shipping you are giving these away. I'll be pm'ing you in the near future. I'll need one of these seeing how I autocross and track my Max.
Sadly I do not have the funds at the moment.
Sadly I do not have the funds at the moment.
