02 Maxima : Scott, opinion please...

[audtatious]

I'm not quite sure what is going on at the moment with my Maxi. As you can see via my sig, I have Eibachs, Illumina's (setting of 2 front and back), FSTB, RSB, and 18's with Yoko 235-40's.

Over the past couple months or so, the car has really been bad at following "truckers ruts" on the highway. I have to consistantly correct the wheel due to these and other road imperfections. Air pressure in the tires seem fine. The alignment on flat roads seems true. I do not notice any toe issues either. Wear pattern on the tires seem normal (good tread still on the tires). I have also noticed when braking that the steering wheel will feel "light", almost like the tires are hydroplaning or on a slick surface when there are dry conditions (No, I still have full control).

Not sure what the deal is at this time. The Illumina's are less than a year old, the Eibachs have been on the car for 75k miles. I doubt I have a problem with a strut either. The only known problem I have is that 3 of the rims are slightly bent due to bad road conditions (both back and one front) and I can feel a very slight "wobble" through the wheel at certain speeds, but it has been very minor. I had the brakes replaced about 8 months ago and a wheel balance in May (when they determined the wheels were no longer true).

Thoughts?

[NISTECH]

There was a recall on the lower control arms do to a similar problem. However I dont know if it applied to 02 or not. I would take a close look at the lower control arm bushings ,especially the rear one and see if it is sliding out of the collar. Also take a look at your rack mount bushings see if they are tore up. If that all checks out get the front end off the ground and check the rack end force adjustment. What are "illuminas"

[audtatious]

The Transverse Link Replacement recall has been done already. When I had the brakes done, they checked the bearings and said they were OK at that time as well. Hopefully i will feel better some time this weekend and I'll pull her into the garage and use my new floor jack to see WTF is going on....

Tokico Illumina's are 5-way adjustable struts:

[NISTECH]

When you get it in the air grab the tire from the top on the inside and the bottom on the outside and try to rock the tire in and out. if your have any movement in that direction you have a bad bearing. then grab the tire front to back and try to move it back and forth. It will move since that is the turning angles but it should have no "free play" If it does you have excessive rack end force. Free play is judged by a slight knocking sensation or lack of steering whell movement during the first couple mm's of movement of the tire. [easier to feel than see]

[s13sr20chris]

99% of theese issues i see are incorrect wheel offset. you may not have noticed it untill now. car follows every crack in the road right? feels like the wind is blowing you all over the place right? its the wheels.