intermittant hard steering

[clickdoc]

hey guys -- maybe someone knows the answer to this -- recently i began suffering from intermittant - - hard steering feeling -- i once had the steering couple freeze but it doesn't feel that hard of steering -- can a power steering pump have soft failure -- hence the intermittant nature -- i also note the steering seems better with higher revs -- but i could be imagining that

thanks

[tg]

Same problem here... I've noticed it is worse in cold weather...

[Bohemiangod]

i too have this problem but recently and only sometimes

its almost the same feeling as if you coast with your car off and try to steer. done it before so i actually know the feeling. Didnt want to wake the girlfriends parents lol

[evildky]

could be a bad u-joint in the steering column, kinda common on Z31's maybe the Z32's are reaching that age now too !?

[clickdoc]

hey evil

are the steering couples lubable?

i had to replace one on my last '90

[Hamann]

Thanks i was having the same problem and now i know how to fix it. You guys rock.

[evildky]

I don't think so, I think you have to buy the rod and u-joint as an assembly from the dealer, I bought a used one and a junkyard

[clickdoc]

hey guys

went to the mechanic this weekend -- most likely my intermittant hard steering is due to the steering couple assembly - the question is do you have to bbuy the whole assembly or can you buy individual parts of the assembly ??

the whole thing at the glendale nissan parts center -- parts man was clueless -- is $418

[mahchu07]

I began having this same problem as well. In my experience the steering problem did get worse with low RPMs, while other times I could go to a complete stop and slowly let the clutch out in first to idle and turn perfectly.

I was thinking it was simply the power steering pump with the low RPMs. Did any of you guys find any solutions???

[evildky]

yours sounds like a slipping belt

[clickdoc]

well i started this thread so i should tell what happened with mine -- my hard steering started after i inadvertantly (stupidly) added clutch fluid to my steering resevoir -- then the hard steering started -- then i replaced the fluid with synthetic power steering fluid -- wrong again -- it takes dexron -- so i drained it again and added the dexron -- and waited a couple of weeks -- works fine now

[Zak427]

i wanted to also let you guys know your steering rack has a speed speed assist. which restricts flow at higher speeds for slightly tighter feel. it gets inputs from the speed sense in your transmission. don't assume off the bat it's a sterring column thing. we have electrical components that can hinder power steering.,

[evildky]

lol, yeah that explains it, it's amazing ho wmany cars use ATF for steering fluid but it never seems to come up tipp someone has added the wrong fluid, thatks for keeping us posted

[darthkril]

Yesterday, I lost power steering and my speedometer stopped working. I am looking for an issue ut cant find one. Am I to assume I lost the speed sensr based on the post a few up ?? Would loosing the sensor make the steering feel like I have 0 powersteering ??? any help

[evildky]

Yesterday, I lost power steering and my speedometer stopped working. I am looking for an issue ut cant find one. Am I to assume I lost the speed sensr based on the post a few up ?? Would loosing the sensor make the steering feel like I have 0 powersteering ??? any help

the power steering is compeltely a hysraulic system, if you lost power steering fluid it's a mechanical proble, and I assume you already checked the belt, the speedometer would be an electronic problem, I'd bet you have 2 different unrelated problems

[Zak427]

abbsolutly. i had the same problem i lost my speedo and my powersteering tightened up right away. it ended up being a severed wire off the transmission speed sense when i did my swap it got hung up....fix your speedo and that should take care of the power steering. start at your transmission speedo. the connection runs up the passenger side and connects right to the main harness right behind the passenger headlight...

[Sam@1990]

I recently have had an issue with my 2004 nissan maxima. when i drove it the steering was tough and it bogged out on me. i turned the car off and it started fine but still idles rough and steers rough. i know i need to fix my speed sensor and abs, but im not sure if its another underlining issue. can some one please help me.

[Ace2cool]

Sam, you might have better luck in the Maxima forum.