Hi guys, I am new to this forus and I would like to ask some of you to help me find how to replace steering rack on nissan maxima 07. It is completly gone (has several leaks, makes noise and needs to be replaced). I searched the web site and I have not been able to find any istruction with pics of video. I would highly appritiate it if any of you can find instruction with pics of video. Thank you in advance.

 

havent done one on a 6th gen myself, but generally on FWD you have to drop or lower the subframe, possibly disconnect the sway bar, unbolt the steering linkage from the rack, unbolt the lines, then unbolt the rack itself and remove it. if you havent done repairs of the nature yourself before it might be painful

 

Thanks for you input. I have done several projects on maxima but this is my first time dealing with steering rack and instruction with pics or video can make a lot easier for all of us. If some one has link or istsruction with pics would be greatly appritiated. Thanks.

 

I just had this done on the max a couple months back. Bought the part from Autozone for 180 or something like that and had nissan do the install. Avoid any mistakes and just easier if they do it.

 

I am not asking help to find professional installers or dilership. I am trying to do it my self and try to save money as dilership labor rate is $120 an hour. If someone knows how to do it and let me know, I would appritiate it.

 

hopefully someone can confirm if you do, but if you indeed have to lower or drop the subframe, it sucks to do without a hoist and air tools. all the racks ive replaced were at work with a hoist, even now i wouldnt do one myself without a hoist.

 

I did mine, you don't need to remove the subframe, but I had to "lower" the subframe a bit to get clearance (kept it on the bolts though, just lower)
It's a **** job, took me 2 days, had to get help from another person at some points of the job.

The input shaft was completely rust welded, took 2 hours to get it off without breaking anything.

Quite a pain, really.
Almost cross threaded the high presure hose on reassembly. Not easy to get it to thread in.

 

It is difficult job, but doable. You do not need to drop anything, but it's tight in there. If you feel confident and have good mechanical knowledge do it yourself and save some money.

 

You have a leaking rack on a 6 y/o vehicle? I highly doubt it, leak probably originates elsewhere, like a hose or clamp and whatnot, cracked reservoir etc.

If you do need to change it, yes, you can, and it is not that difficult. Do not touch subframe and do not lower it or anything. All you need to do is disconnect the lines, outer tie-rods, disconnect steering wheel shaft, and 2 or 3 bolts holding rack to chassis, then wiggle it outta there. You can leave outer tie-rods attached, they won't bother you, whole assemble just has to be wiggled out. And yes, it is tight fit, as others say, but nothing's impossible.

I also recommend to stay away from rebuilt racks sold at auto parts stores. Chance are, rack may have mechanical issues, whereas new seals can't fix those issues. And that's all rebuilders do, replace seals and paint it.

Rack from Nissan is around 1000 bucks, if not more, and that's the only way to go if you have to replace a rack.

 

I got my rack from Autozone. Not rebuilt, and not Nissan and it was around 200 out the door. Had nissan install it with other work they did and labor with the other things done was less than 600. Works great no leaks and no problems. It's been about a year now. Not all OEM parts are the best parts to get. I have noticed some are not as good as aftermarket and cost a lot less. Example window motors. Pain in the butt to deal with. I have changed 3 out of my car now. All three where from nissan. Replaced with Rebuilt/Re manufactured ones Cardone I believe. I did replace one once with a nissan one, however that lasted about a year and a half and replaced it with an aftermarket one. On the other side, I replaced my CSP sensors with Nissan parts whereas others tried aftermarket and found the Nissan ones are better. It is hit or miss at times. Another is rotors. Nissan rotors warped in less than a year owning the car. Have had these rotors I got off Ebay on since 2005. Not warped and stopping as designed.

 

What you bought from Autozone is a rebuilt rack, all parts stores sell rebuilt racks only. I don't know how they sold it to you for 200, it is listed for 346.99 at my local Autozone. I had bad experience with rebuilt parts, including rack and AC compressor, your experience is different, what can I say, congratulations. I am also surprised to hear that Nissan installed aftermarket rack for you, from what I know, dealer will never install an aftermarket part, so again, congratulations!

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=560782_0_0_ I stand corrected, this is the part on my car right now. I also got 10% discount on the part so it was about 300 not 200. Either way works great and much cheaper than nissan's price.
Also the Nissan dealer where I live is one of a few in the country that is authorized to perform aftermarket work and performance tune cars. They are awesome and I am lucky to live near this dealer. Most dealers will not install parts that are non OEM. Some won't install parts that are not purchase from them as well. I would check first if you want them to do the work.

 

racks can fail early, replaced one on a 5 or 6 year old Infiniti FX35 at work a while ago, and did one on a newer Lexus SUV a few months ago too