Wifey's maxima seems to have a steering problem. The steering wheels moves about when trying to keep the car straight going down the road especially at speeds past 55mph and when hitting bumps in the road...its like we cant keep the car under control and its kinda terrifying. The car has 4 brand new tires, had the suspension and steering checked, changed ball joints and drive axle, had the car aligned. Was told everything's good to go under there. Can anyone tell me what it could be? I'm thinking maybe its the front struts

 

Maybe you have bad wheel bearings. Jack up a front wheel, grab the tire at the top and bottom and see if you can wiggle it in and out. It should not wiggle if the bearing is good. Don't be gentle, use force when you wiggle the wheel, make sure the car is secure so you don't wiggle it off of the jack.

Then grab the tire on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and try and wiggle it. There should be no wiggle if everything is good. If the tire wiggles, this is either outer *****, inner ball joint or a bad/loose steering rack.

Another possibility are bad strut bearings. This is what the top of the strut bolts into. Open the hood and look at the nut on the top of the strut. It should be dead center in the round opening when you look at it. You can also try grabbing on the fender and shaking the car from side to side while watching that bolt. It should always remain dead center. Just be careful that the hood doesn't fall and chop your fingers off.

Then there are the bushings on the lower control arms, especially the passenger side. If the power steering hose leaks like 99% of all Maximas, this rots out the bushings. A visual inspection will tell you if this is happening.

 

Sounds like ur motor mounts or struts, could be both.

 

If you have your suspension check, did they do a wheel alignment and give you a print out if it's off or right on? Like most of the members said above it could be any number of things. Sound like the shop didn't really inspect it at all, they probably just pop on new tires and not look at other things.

 

@Fanatic...I had it aligned...I got a print out and it said the toe angle at the front was off. @ Dennis... the car does have a power steering leak actually so ill have those bushings checked again. I wiggled the front tires while I was at the shop...they had me check it out while it was up in the air and they don't move at all. I did what u said and shock the car to see if the strut bolt will move but it didn't. Can the motor mounts really cause this issue too? They look like they in good shape

 

motor mounts won't cause steering problems.

 

I have a similar problem, severe bump steer, I've changed oem hubs, bearings, control arms, full struts, sway bar links, axles, inner and out tie rods, you name it. Steering rack is leaking and it's either that or my cross member bushings are worn.

 

Yeah I'm starting to think maybe it's the steering rack too...it has a power steering leak also...I just remembered I had a tierod replaced too. The shop told me everything is tight under there so next thing is too check the rack and pinion and fix that leak