I have an '04 Nissan Xterra with 40K miles; bought it preowned with 17K on it. Only the powertrain warranty is active. The steering box is shot which was found when I was getting my yearly inspection, and obviously is not covered by the beforementioned warranty. Being in the city, you would think one of the numerous Nissan dealerships around me would have one in stock. Called every one of them, none were in stock and none would be available because they were replacing so many that the company now had them on backorder. Contacted Nissan's corporated office to lodge my complaint. This is my only vehicle. Was there a recall? Hell no! What were they doing about not having any in stock and having to wait until the dealership could get one in? NOTHING! Therefore, I'm out a vehicle without a spare. Guess what? Had to get a rental car or find another mode of transportation to and from work or anywhere I needed and/or wanted to go. Mind you, this is 1/2/07 and the ordeal started 10/31/06. Anyone know the price for a new steering box? $1808.85. Total due IF I were to get it fixed... $2200. I currently have an attorney working on this.
Has anyone had this issue on the '04's? I found a guy in CA that had the same issue. 40K +/- miles, '04, steering box shot, and Nissan wasn't doing anything about it!
Thanks!
New Member - Question
Re: New Member - Question (volleyskb)
I did some checking on the Canadian Xterra Forums and there is no mention of this issue where the box has to be replaced.I did however read some posts from a few years ago about Xterra's having too much play in the gears.
There is a set screw ontop of the box that can be adjusted to reduce this excessive play but if the Pitman Arm is sloppy it's the bearings inside the box that are toast.
Most of the steering boxes that Nissan replaces are sent back to the manufacturer and get rebuilt with all new parts. This process does delay the availablilty of replacement parts at the main warehouse especially if Dealers are swapping steering boxes at a record rate.
An option that you might want to pursue is to find an Xterra or Frontier in a Salvage Yard. Verify with the Nissan Parts Guy which years of Xterra/Frontier will work on your 04. It could save you a ton O'Cash on the new part. The other option you have is to find out if a rebuild kit can be purchased for the steering box. But you may have to check with the Aftermarket places like Pep-Boys or whatever you have in your area. Then you need to have the rebuild performed which can't be done without good knowledge of how a steering box works. I have done a few myself and they can be tricky with all the small parts inside the box.
Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.
There is a set screw ontop of the box that can be adjusted to reduce this excessive play but if the Pitman Arm is sloppy it's the bearings inside the box that are toast.
Most of the steering boxes that Nissan replaces are sent back to the manufacturer and get rebuilt with all new parts. This process does delay the availablilty of replacement parts at the main warehouse especially if Dealers are swapping steering boxes at a record rate.
An option that you might want to pursue is to find an Xterra or Frontier in a Salvage Yard. Verify with the Nissan Parts Guy which years of Xterra/Frontier will work on your 04. It could save you a ton O'Cash on the new part. The other option you have is to find out if a rebuild kit can be purchased for the steering box. But you may have to check with the Aftermarket places like Pep-Boys or whatever you have in your area. Then you need to have the rebuild performed which can't be done without good knowledge of how a steering box works. I have done a few myself and they can be tricky with all the small parts inside the box.
Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.
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Luv2ski35
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:13 pm
- Car: 2002 Frontier lifted and beat hard
- Contact:
I;m on my 2nd steering box. I got my replacement one from Car-parts.com for $500. I haven't done a rebuild on one yet, but a few guys have...I haven't heard either way as if it worked or not or how hard it was. Here are the seals you need: Chicago-Rawhide seals or SKF seals, ask for part# 7000. Its an 18mm x 30mm x 7mm seal.
What did they say was exactally wrong with it. There is a very fine adjustment bolt up in top. There was a thread on 4x4parts.com about h ow to do the adjustment.
I have never heard of a steering box going out so soon or without some serious abuse from off-road. I would be really skeptical of this shop telling you this at even 40,000 miles as mine was severly abused and crapped out at 55K. I would first check the TREs and the CL as well as the idler arm bushing as those are the normal wear spots
What did they say was exactally wrong with it. There is a very fine adjustment bolt up in top. There was a thread on 4x4parts.com about h ow to do the adjustment.
I have never heard of a steering box going out so soon or without some serious abuse from off-road. I would be really skeptical of this shop telling you this at even 40,000 miles as mine was severly abused and crapped out at 55K. I would first check the TREs and the CL as well as the idler arm bushing as those are the normal wear spots
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XterraVersa
- Posts: 564
- Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:01 pm
- Car: 2002 Nissan Xterra
Nissan 350Z Nismo - Contact:
Re: (Luv2ski35)
If the wheels fail the wooble test, it could also be worn idler arm bushings, worn end links or a worn centerlink.
Re: New Member - Question (volleyskb)
At the risk of giving you more info that you probably bargained for I am going to post these steering box images right from my CD Manual.
The sector shaft is what the pitman arm is attached to. Image SEC492 shows the box in the installed position. On the top of the steering box you will see the adjustment screw. The preceding adjustment process might be possible while the steering box is still in place.
If you have a leaky seal then these pictures will not help you and my manual does not show the tear down process or related torque specifications for this kind of repair. I have rebuilt steering boxes myself on 1/2 tone trucks and the most important thing is to keep everything clean and in a tray while you take it apart. Most steering boxes use what is known as a recirulating ball system.
Basically the steering box has a bunch of small ball bearings inside a small cast iron box that rides up and down the steering shaft as you turn the wheel.
These 2 images, from a domestic steering box, should explain things a little better. (NOTE THESE 2 ITEMS ARE NOT NISSAN IMAGES)
The sector shaft is what the pitman arm is attached to. Image SEC492 shows the box in the installed position. On the top of the steering box you will see the adjustment screw. The preceding adjustment process might be possible while the steering box is still in place.
If you have a leaky seal then these pictures will not help you and my manual does not show the tear down process or related torque specifications for this kind of repair. I have rebuilt steering boxes myself on 1/2 tone trucks and the most important thing is to keep everything clean and in a tray while you take it apart. Most steering boxes use what is known as a recirulating ball system.
Basically the steering box has a bunch of small ball bearings inside a small cast iron box that rides up and down the steering shaft as you turn the wheel.
These 2 images, from a domestic steering box, should explain things a little better. (NOTE THESE 2 ITEMS ARE NOT NISSAN IMAGES)