Anyone else have the problem.. When I start my car and I turn my steering wheel its very very stiff and the tires or I'm not sure where its coming from either way I turn the wheel theres this BIG CHIRPING/squeaky noises coming from the front.. Anyone have a clue what it is?

 

Have you checked your power steering fluid lately?

 

If you turn the wheel while on even fairly smooth concrete (like my garage floor, for example), the tires will make a ripping, screeching noise. Is that what you hear?

As for the effort, I don't know. Sounds like you're turning the wheel with the car sitting still, and that will always be harder than when it's moving. (Duh.)

 

during the first 5 minutes my car is started up, i pull out of my driveway and turn to get on the street either way i turn the wheel it makes a loud squeaking chirping noise... and the steerring wheel is very stiff but after maybe 15 minutes of driving the noise disapears and the steering wheel is fine

 

yes I have the same problem, but that's not on my max, its on my family car (99 Avalon)

"Stiff steering is caused by soft radial-ply tyres, siezed up steering idler, seized kingpins, ball races breaking up inside the steering box, over adjustment of the steering box adjuster."

Highly doubt it's power steering fluid

 

sinned - I assume the car is rolling as you turn the wheel. With the Maxima and its wide, sticky tires, turning the steering wheel while the car is not moving is, in my opinion, worse than never changing the oil; it puts a terrible strain on all steering components.

Someday, while the Maxima is parked on a paved surface, get a good grip on the front tire and try turning it. Can't be done. This is the same resistance that has to be overcome when you turn the steering wheel while the car is not moving. Only a wonderful power steering system enables you to overcome such resistance. At the expense of abusing all steering components.

If, however, you have this turning problem while the car is rolling, you might consider leaving it at a dealer just before they close, with instructions to try turning the steering when they first start the car next morning.

Of course, for many of us, doing that is mighty inconvenient.