Hi There!

I live in Los Angeles,
I used to own a '95 maxima which used to be a great car, sexy, comfortable and fast. I had a lot of fun with it and planned to work it up.

I lost that car years back... Now I own a 2001, and I need a little help.

Currently working on the vehicle, and replacing a few components, not necessarily "hooking it up" but I am getting a few goodies and need some help.

ANywhere in LA I can take it for a free diagnostic?


WHen I drive, my wheel tends to jerk to the right.
My power steering fluid also keeps running low,
could this be part of the issue? It seemed to jerk before the power steering started loosing fluid.

Other than that, what's up, any maxima meats in LA?

 

Welcome back to the fold. Don't know of any places for a free diagnostic. Most would require(or expect) you to leave the car for repairs. For the fluid loss, one of the high pressure lines would possibly be leaking. Someone else will most likely chime in with more help on the jerking( is it like bump steer or constant pulling to one side?). There are meets every friday night at vernon and figueroa(all types of cars), and we are having a caravan on the 29th to a meet. Check the regional forums for more information about the extreme dimensions meet.

 

For leaking power steering fluid, look at this hose in the rear passenger side of the engine bay. Very common item to go bad - the high pressure hose. If it is, spend the extra money and get OEM instead of aftermarket unless you want the pump to whine.

 

When that bump leaks it can drip on the control arm bushing which may cause the jerking to the right you are talking about. Obviously, if it is the bushing, don't replace it until after that hose.

 

Congrats on your 2001! I also own an '01.

Jerking sounds like either an alignment issue of your tires need to be balanced. Or both.

The power steering problem sounds like a leak.

 

I had the same issue with the jerking on another car. Just replace the lower arm control bushing, saves big bucks but is a PITA if you don't have the right tools.

 

Hey guys, thank you for your input.
WHen I drive, sometimes (Not always) out of nowhere, the car will just jerk right, (the wheel that is) i feel like a "bump" coming from the front.

Sometimes it will jerk left then right.

My control arm bushings are soaked from leaking fluid.

FOR SURE I AM LEAKING fluid, but I am unaware as to if I am leaking anything besides POWER STEERING.

I will replace the entire control arm actually which included bushings for the same price of just purchasing bushings themselves.

THANK YOU!!! I will be looking into this tomorrow when it is light out.





Sir... or Ma'am... You are a GENIUS!

Turns out my control arm bushings need replacement...

and here I just ordered a new rack and pinion...