.. Hi,

I've driven a 98 SE auto last week and much like in the comparison from my 98 GXE to my old 93 SE, the steering in the SE is way heavier, or tighter. I actually like the heavy steering feel. My GXE is way too loose and too floaty right now, just not the way I like them. As far as I know the only differences related to that are the stiffer springs and struts on the SE, but that doesn't cause the steering to be heavier, does it? I was wondering how I can change the steering feel to make it like an SE.


on a side note, stock GXE suspension blows goats, my 3rd gen VE would KILL this car in corners.

 

The difference? Tighter bushings, stiffer shocks, and most importantly.....larger wheels and wider lower profile tires. Otherwise everything else is the same including the steering box and ratio.


Dave

 

Nyce, I just wanted to say that you have (had) the best looking 3rd gen on this board. Who'd you sell it to?

 

ya what he said, but also speed sensitive steering.

 

The sales literature says "Engine-speed-sensitive steering." That's interesting because the ideal is vehicle-speed-sensitive steering.

Do you know how the Maxima governs the power steering assistance force? The factory service manual does not show a connection between the steering system and the Engine Control Module or the transmission.

 

I'll be adding wheels soon, probably change the suspension eventually as well...

Nealoc: woa, thanks for the compliment! I sold it to some guy in Queens NY who bought it for his little 17 year old brother. I am still missing her

 

Well my 95SE has way too much steering assist. Anyone know how I can decrease it? I can literally steering with my pinky finger! I remember when I test drove a 98SE Auto that it wasn't like that...

 

My I30T has a true speed sensitive power steering. The steering wheel is a lot firmer then on my modded SE max. I have never looked into how to make my maxima like my I30 but I bet it has something to do with the power sterring mechanism .

 

I have also noticed this on my frieds 99SE vs. my 98 gxe. Does someone know of a way for gxe owners to change that?

 

If you're really interested, you might try going over to a BMW 330i BBS (actually, the problem might be inherent to all 3 series). Apparently, they've done something to the new 330i that makes the steering looser than your typical BMW...in fact, the dealerships are giving owners the option to bring their bimmer in to get the steering tightened up.

Maybe you could find some information on what exactly they do to make the steering tighter (who knows if you could apply that knowledge to the Maxima...but its worth a shot)

 

The UDP will firm up steering.


Dave

 

yes i've noticed that. it definetly firms up the steering some more and the a/c is still cold.

 

I'd like to re-open this subject and see if anyone has new information. I have an SE and I find the steering to be very much over-assisted. I'm comparing to my 93 Sentra SE-R which IMO has perfect steering effort.

Is there a way to reduce the power assist? I hate to say it, but it makes the Max seem like an oldsmobile or something of that nature.

Any suggestions appreciated...

 

take off the power steering belt

 

I have a '97 SE and my steering feels kind of loose as well. I previously owned a '95 GLE and loved it until its untimely death last August....but that is a whole 'nother story. My new '97 SE's steering feels looser than my old '95 GLE's...what gives?

Maybe my car's not actually an SE? It has white-faced gagues, body-colored door handles, sunroof, 5-spd, Bose, foglites, and it had the 16" SE rims...but it doesn't say SE on the trunk lid.

 

I'm going to throw my hat into this thread as well. I just picked up my 1997 GXE last night, and right off the bat I'm worried about how light the steering is. I recall this being a problem in my fathers 92 GXE as well.

If you attempt to take a corner with any sort of enthusiasm, it can be downright dangerous because the car is failing to accurately communicate to me its level of grip through the steering wheel. I know this car handles better than that, and I'm afraid to learn its limits in the current state.

 

this thread is almost a year old lol..

Okay, since then I have added a FSTB and 16" wheels with Dunlop Sport A2 rubber... I'm used to the steering by now but it is pretty light, taking sweeping corners I constantly have to pull the steering wheel a little further to "feel" the road or that the car is under my control. I might be lowering it very soon and maybe that would help out..

 

A '97 SE won't say SE on the trunk lid. From your description, it sounds like it is an SE. Here's how to be sure from the 4th gen FAQ's:

How do I know which trim level I am looking at?

The 4th gen Maxima was offered in three trim levels for the US market:
GXE "The essential Maxima"
SE "The Sportiest Maxima"
GLE "The luxurious Maxima"

All trim levels have the same engine, so performance differences between them are pretty much nil. The best way to tell which trim level you have is to decode the VIN Plate. This is due to much part swapping and trim upgrading, even transmission swaps that can be done.

TO DECODE THE VIN PLATE:
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The sixth character is the trim level designator, defined as follows:
E = GXE
G = GLE
V = SE

There are some feature differences that can help you determine the trim level on site. Keep in mind that most of these can be changed aftermarket by the owner, but as we know the VAST majority of Maximas on the street are bone stock...

My '96 GXE (RIP) steering was a lot looser than my current '97 SE. In fact, my SE's is very tight. I've contributed it to the wider tires (225/55R16) and stock suspension components. Check the basics like power steering fluid, tire pressure, bushings, etc..

DBM (I miss his wisdom) said earlier in this thread: The sales literature says "Engine-speed-sensitive steering." That's interesting because the ideal is vehicle-speed-sensitive steering. Could this simply be because the higher the RPM's, the faster the power steering pump rotates; therefore greater assist? If so, is this Nissan's way of mis-leading purchasers in to thinking they're getting something special? Or is there actually something to the speed sensitive steering? I've never noticed it.

Dave