Heavy Vibration = Pwr Steering Problem?

[ZGadson]

Im having issues similar something mentioned in a previous post, but I felt a new post was necessary due to the fact that this may be related to power steering rather than suspension. My issue is heavy vibration at highway speeds (over 60); rearly feels like the car is falling apart, or like Im driving on 4 flat tires.

The part in the other thread about the power steering pump possibly being the culprit got my attention . In cold weather, I let the car warm up for about 5 minutes before driving anywhere, but even after the 5 minutes, even a light turn makes a grinding sound. Also, steering seems almost stiff, as if I driving with two flat front tires.

I took the car into Midas to have them look at it, but after deciding nothing was wrong with the suspension/brakes/ect, they suggested getting the tires balanced, so I got the tires balanced and rotated.

Where I live, we had heavy snowfall recently. The guy at Discount Tire told me he'd gotten 30+ phone calls about vibration/possible balance issues. Apparently, this is a common issue because snow builds up and freezes in the wheel wells and around the axle/suspension parts. I park in a heated garage at night, so build up of ice/snow is not an issue.

I also noticed that before my rotate/balance, the car pulled to the left. After the work on the tires, the car was fine for a while, then after going over railroad tracks, the car pulled to the right.

The Breakdown:

1) Stiff steering2) Car pulls left or right (even after rotate/balance)3) Highway speeds cause heavy vibration in steering wheel

What is going on!? Help please!?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

What yr and kind of car is it?

[ZGadson]

The one in my sig - 2002 I35

[MinisterofDOOM]

I definitely don't buy into the snow in the wheel wells explanation. I've had numerous cars that I parked outside in winter and have never had that happen.Ever.

Sounds like a bad PS pump or maybe a pinched or blocked line to me.Could also be a bad steering rack.

[ZGadson]

I've found numerous power steering pumps on car-part.com. For my search criteria, I put in my car (2002 I35) and on the results page was every pump from ALL 1995 and up Nissans and Infinitis. There were pumps from Sentras, Muranos, Altimas... ect.

Am I to assume that Nissan only has one power steering pump that they've used in all their models since 1995? Or to make sure I get the right part, should I only buy one from an I35?