steering issues, steering transfer gear

[towncarblue]

i have a 2002 nissan pathfinder 4x4.
lately ive been having issues with my steering. i popped open the hood
and had my son turn the steering wheel back and fourth.
i noticed that the sttering columb shaft assembly { https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/n ... A002,48820 }
is moving a bit too much instead of just turning in place.
i think that maybee the steering transfer gear assembly {https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/n ... 001,48760M} might be in need of lubrication. what kind of fluid/grease should i use ?????

[AlanAZ]

Is the steering column moving from side to side? If so, it could be the steering rack bushings. They are rubber, dry out with age and fail. Not uncommon.

Broken steering rack bushings

[towncarblue]

yes the upper steering column shaft moves from side to side { about an inch } and the steering while driving is a bit more labored

[towncarblue]

checked the steering rack bushings, the steering rack does not move at all......

[yeldogt]

Has your car had the rust recall inspection ?

Please make sure it's been inspected -- this is a symptom.

dangerous

[towncarblue]

i thought it might be due to the recall so i had Nissan perform the strut housing and the airbags
i .decided to send it to the mechanic before i start wasting money on parts.
the mechanic told me it was the upper steering shaft he was not too sure if the lower one was bad and could not tell until the upper one was replaced.looking at the upper steering shaft it looks like the u-joint is worn. he also told me that both of my lower control arms in the front was bad. the price he was charging was too much so i ordered the parts. i can do the work myself.
ill post when i do the repairs

[towncarblue]

i thought it might be due to the recall so i had Nissan perform the strut housing and the airbags
i .decided to send it to the mechanic before i start wasting money on parts.
the mechanic told me it was the upper steering shaft he was not too sure if the lower one was bad and could not tell until the upper one was replaced.looking at the upper steering shaft it looks like the u-joint is worn. he also told me that both of my lower control arms in the front was bad. the price he was charging was too much so i ordered the parts. i can do the work myself.
ill post when i do the repairs

received the upper steering shaft, installed it and the problem went away. the steering wheel is a bit out of
alignment but at least I can drive it. gonna do the front lca's tommorow

[hotdawwgman]

By any chance do you have a step by step how to replace?

[towncarblue]

1- remove intake hose and airbox.
2- remove the two upper bolts from the steering transfer gear assembly.
3- loosen the bottom bolt from the steering transfer gear assembly.
4- turn steering wheel until both of the bolts for the shaft face toward the passenger side.
5- only remove the bolt { either 12 or 14mm } connecting the steering shaft to the steering transfer gear.
6- get some wd-40 and spray the ends of the steering shaft.
7- use a long screwdriver or a
chisel bang
it until it opens up a bit. {the pic is for illustration purpose. you will actually need a much stronger
screwdriver/chisel to open up that clamp}
8- using a hammer lightly tap the steering gear, moving it towards the front bumper. i did not have to remove
the fan shroud but you might.
9- rock the steering shaft back and forth until it pops out of steering gear. loosely put it back on the steering
gear
10- go inside the car and adjust the steering wheel tilt until the steering wheel is all the way down.
11-now you have to remove the bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering wheel and open up the
other
clamp with a chisel or a screwdriver. this one is harder because the shaft will move around a bit.
12-start rocking the steering shaft and keep applying wd-40 until it just pops out {took me about 20 min}
13- while installing the new steering shaft try your best to keep the steering wheel straight. have a friend
inside the car to keep the steering wheel steady.
14- tighten the bolt/clamp that connects the steering shaft to the steering wheel.
15- connect the steering shaft to the steering gear and bolt down the steering gear.
16-bolt down the steering gear to the steering shaft. reconnect the airbox and intake hose.
17- i needed a wheel alignment afterwards , you will probably need one too