I'm planning on taking my 08 SL to the dealership shortly to check out something and wanted to ask about a few different subjects beforehand. The first one I've done a few searches and can't find an answer.
I have about 106k miles on it. Just after I hit 100k I noticed 2 different issues. The first was at about 35 mph I could feel a vibrating in the pedal. This was fixed with a replacement wheel bearing. However the main issue is still present. The steering seems loose when I am driving, mostly at high speeds on the interstate. I feel like the car is drifting in the lane instead of being tight where I should feel the car move. At the same time this occurred I noticed that at speeds of 70+ the car seems the drive rough, almost like the tires are unbalanced or not aligned correctly. So much that my kids now go "uhhhhhhhhhhhh" because of the bouncing, and if I have something in the trunk I can see it bouncing in the rear view mirror. I had a pressure washer back there and noticed the handle was do this. The tires have been checked and I have been told are fine and I have them rotated every 5k miles when I change the oil.
I have been told since the car has electronic steering that only the dealer can check the steering gear. I was advised this was quite expensive as well. Has anyone ever run into a situation like this before? Are the 2 related? This is our long distance driving car and we will be taking a 2k mile round trip in the next couple of months and I need to get this fixed. I can't have the kids trying to sleep in the back while they are being jarred all around. The person that test drove the car mentioned a knocking sound when turning from the steering column, which I heard previously as well. Could this be related too?
I have finally been hit by the TSB with the incorrect fuel gauge. I have noticed it has steadily been short 1 or 2 bars after a fill-up, but this last time it was 4 bars short. Then yesterday I went from 2 bars to 0 bars from the time I parked and then restarted. Scared the crap out of me and luckily there was a gas station within 2 miles of where I was.
Last, I had my CVT replaced at ~20k miles, yet I still hear the rattling. Is Nissan still doing anything for those? I took my Rogue to another dealership and even though I could hear it plain as day they said they couldn't.
Loose steering, rough driving, other things
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
Get a second opinion on the tire balance and alignment.
The steering gear itself is a simple design that uses a electric motor under the dash to provide assist.
Looseness in the steering linkage i.e .tie rods, ball joints etc. can be checked by anyone who is competent.
The knock in the column should be investigated.
Sounds like your fuel level sensor is still a problem. Has it been a year since the repair? There may be a 1 year parts warranty on it.
Was the CVT replaced because of a rattle? There was a recall on the early Rogue that addressed a rattle from the CVT. Fluid level is VERY critical on theses vehicles. When they are fully hot, the fluid should be well below the max full line. Overfilling can cause all sorts of odd things.
If they cant hear it, take them for a ride. Be active in your repair experience. Its like going to the doctor.
The steering gear itself is a simple design that uses a electric motor under the dash to provide assist.
Looseness in the steering linkage i.e .tie rods, ball joints etc. can be checked by anyone who is competent.
The knock in the column should be investigated.
Sounds like your fuel level sensor is still a problem. Has it been a year since the repair? There may be a 1 year parts warranty on it.
Was the CVT replaced because of a rattle? There was a recall on the early Rogue that addressed a rattle from the CVT. Fluid level is VERY critical on theses vehicles. When they are fully hot, the fluid should be well below the max full line. Overfilling can cause all sorts of odd things.
If they cant hear it, take them for a ride. Be active in your repair experience. Its like going to the doctor.
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
Thanks for the response.
I haven't had the fuel sensor replaced, it hasn't been a big issue until this last fill-up.
Yes the CVT was replaced because of the rattle. First they tried to re-program it but that didn't work. I have since moved to a different state. That was about 80k miles ago. The other location down here I took it to seems kinda nonchalant in trying to hear it, even after I drove them around. I am closer to 2 different dealerships now and will have them check it out.
I haven't had the fuel sensor replaced, it hasn't been a big issue until this last fill-up.
Yes the CVT was replaced because of the rattle. First they tried to re-program it but that didn't work. I have since moved to a different state. That was about 80k miles ago. The other location down here I took it to seems kinda nonchalant in trying to hear it, even after I drove them around. I am closer to 2 different dealerships now and will have them check it out.
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
I think the CVT has a 120K warranty.
Good luck
Good luck
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
Update: They couldn't hear the CVT rattling. I heard it right as I pulled away. Guess I will need to get a digital recorder and do it for them when I have more time.
Suggest balance for the vibrating. Expected
Fuel sensor, by the time I got to the dealership from the gas station the bars had raised from 4 missing to 1. They said the fuel was at the level of one bar missing. I mentioned the TSB and the guy said the tech didn't mention anything about it. Guess I'll continue to watch it.
Loose steering, knock when turning, power steering rack and tie rods are in bad shape. Have to get those replaced. $1200, ouch.
Suggest balance for the vibrating. Expected
Fuel sensor, by the time I got to the dealership from the gas station the bars had raised from 4 missing to 1. They said the fuel was at the level of one bar missing. I mentioned the TSB and the guy said the tech didn't mention anything about it. Guess I'll continue to watch it.
Loose steering, knock when turning, power steering rack and tie rods are in bad shape. Have to get those replaced. $1200, ouch.
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
based on your description the first thing that comes to mind is bad shocks/struts.
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
The Rogue exhaust pipe, near the engine, has a heat shield on it that is secured with spot welds. These spot welds have been breaking and causing a tinny rattle that can be hard to reproduce, but easy to find when the pipe is examined with the car on the lift, on even on your back on the ground.
The fix is to put a large hose clamp over the shielding in the area of the broken weld.
Take a look.
The fix is to put a large hose clamp over the shielding in the area of the broken weld.
Take a look.
Re: Loose steering, rough driving, other things
Steering much tighter now, and the balance fixed the vibrating.
They heard the rattling at 50 mph but I was told it is operating as designed. I guess I need to try to listen and see if it is doing it at lower speeds like the TSB said and why it was replaced in the first place. Guess I need to tell my kids to be quite in the car.
They heard the rattling at 50 mph but I was told it is operating as designed. I guess I need to try to listen and see if it is doing it at lower speeds like the TSB said and why it was replaced in the first place. Guess I need to tell my kids to be quite in the car.