Desperate

[Atripes]

I have a 98 Q45t, and I have had the same problem for months. The power steering went out, and the car makes this weird ratchiting/metal clicking noise all of the time. The mechanic tells me its the PS Pump, i get it replaced but he says its still doing the same thing, that air is somehow getting into the resevoir and is screwing it up. He tried cleaning out the reservoir and that didnt help either. Iv already wasted about $400, now he is saying it "MIGHT" be the rack and pinion steering but he isnt even sure, and is talking about $1300. Does anyone know what this problem could be? Im on the verge of just selling the damn thing it has been such a headache. PLEASE help me

[Q45tech]

Why did you not use a trained technican familiar with Infiniti.

The variable assist speed sensing [electronic controls] are a bit different from domestics.

After all the factory parts costs will be the same [dealer vs independent].

Many time what you save [say $25-$30 per hour] will be quickly eaten up by an untrained mechanics mistakes!

Racks and power steering pumps don't fail with proper fluid mainteance and even the hoses last a long time..............a 9 year old car is expected to need things replaced.

19" wheels [in your wildest dreams] did you even consider the added stress on steering system that modifying the suspension loads and steering could create? Increasing wheel size and weight is a common reason for accelerated wear.

[DrewQ45]

One that suggest throwing parts at the problem can actually be the sign of a dishonest mechanic who doesn't care how much of your money he's wasting as long as he's gettin paid..... "More work for me" attitude.

Take it the the dealer and have the problem diagnosed with specific instructions to not fix it unless you approve. Should cost you like $75 and you'll know exactly what the problem is. You can then refuse the repair and pay only the troubleshooting fee then take it to a GOOD mechanic

[maxnix]

"Incompetent mechanics destroy more Q45 than time and wear together." - Q45tech

[Atripes]

Why did you not use a trained technican familiar with Infiniti.

The nearest Inifinit technician to me is in Mobile, about 3 hours away.

19" wheels [in your wildest dreams] did you even consider the added stress on steering system that modifying the suspension loads and steering could create? Increasing wheel size and weight is a common reason for accelerated wear.

?

Sorry that my style of car doesnt appeal to you and you have to rip me apart for asking for advice, i have called 5 places in town and they have all given me about the same prices for the rack and pinion. Was I supposed to tow the car 3 hours away? Im sorry that I dont have the resources in this town to take it to an infiniti technician, but no reason to act like an ***. All I was looking for was some advice about what the problem could be if anyone had experienced it before, thanks for nothing.

[Q451990]

Bear with us... There aren't a lot of failures on the 97+ Q, but I do seem to recall some issues with someones... might try using the search button.

The metallic grinding noise you mentioned might be air in the system, but I have never had issues bleeding it - so mine always showed up as a "whine" for a few seconds like a Ford A/T or P/S pump when operating normally.

Even if you don't have an Infiniti tech. - I would try to find someone who has import (preferrably Nissan) (hopefully 300Z) experience! I would also lean toward ordering the parts from Joe at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com or finding another source for OEM parts. Most remans. are not particularly reliable for the Q.

Good luck!

Heath

[Atripes]

Yea thats where I ordered my power steering pump. I think i have found someone in mobile who can diagnoise the problem and make sure its the rack and pinion. Thanks for the positive response.

[maxnix]

Yea thats where I ordered my power steering pump. I think i have found someone in mobile who can diagnoise the problem and make sure its the rack and pinion. Thanks for the positive response.

An experienced ASE certified mechanic, with your FSM and TSB, OEM parts, and a Hunter alignment machine should be able to diagnose and solve your problems.

Acting as an overseer with the knowledge gained from reading the posts on this board, especially all posts by Q45tech, should ensure a competent diagnosis and repair.

[daegrigg]

I encourage you to keep the faith. It is a wonderful car. Regulars on the board tend to be a little "insensitive" sometimes when hitting the "Reply" button. We really are here to help and I hope your first experience in this forum will not be your last.

Thanks,

Don

[elwesso]

You could probably do this yourself to try and bleed the air... The FSM says to bleed the air turn the car off, jack the entire front end up, take the cap off the res., and then turn the wheel back and forth a few times..

However, when I got air in my PS system this procedure did not work. What you could do is this.. first, suck all the fluid out ofthe res. Take an old piece of hose, plug up the PS return line on the resovior (to prevent the fluid from coming out). Then you can fill the res with ATF, and turn the car on... PUt the actual return line into a bucket or something to catch the fluid. Just keep the res. topped off and wait until you dont have any more air bubbles and theres nice bright red ATF... Generally I just go get one of those gallon jugs of ATF... and change my PS fluid every oil change (which reminds me im due again, maybe ill flush this time)..

With the above procedure your getting nice fresh fluid in there AND hopefully getting rid of the air problem... Hydraulics dont work good with air...

Bottom line is you dont want to drive to much to screw up this brand new PS pump!!!!

[maxnix]

Bottom line is you dont want to drive to much to screw up this brand new PS pump!!!!

True, so get the PS system flushed (fluid mechanically exchanged) professionally by a Sun or BG machine and leave the shade tree stuff to your lawn mower.

[Q45tech]

I keep pointing out that I have the same rack, the same pump and same steering controller after 16 years and 306,0000 miles on my 90 Q.

Sure lots of hoses and boots have been replaced over the years but nothing mechanical thanks to annual flushes and using quality Dexron iii eqivalents.

Think it is safe to say the design of mechanicals is flawless!

[Atripes]

I keep pointing out that I have the same rack, the same pump and same steering controller after 16 years and 306,0000 miles on my 90 Q.

Sure lots of hoses and boots have been replaced over the years but nothing mechanical thanks to annual flushes and using quality Dexron iii eqivalents.

Think it is safe to say the design of mechanicals is flawless!

Iv only owned the car for about 7 or 8 months. The old owner seemed to have taken care of it, but you never know. It is not like I have neglected any fluids or any routine maintainence. There isnt much damage I could have done in only 8 months when it comes to fluids and flushes.

[Atripes]

Anyways, thanks for the help from some of you. It ended up being the rack and pinion as thought, and the car drives like a dream again.

[Q45tech]

But the point I was trying to understand was who redesigned the steering'suspension system with 19" wheels ? Was this a recent situation or did you buy it that way.

We see so much accelerated wear on parts that rarely wear out oem vs with heavy wheels on Q and Lexus.