Steering noise when cold

[skyvette427]

I live in south florida... the temperature just started to "drop" around the 70's...

Ever since, my 1997 Q45 has steering noise when i first start it up... 5-15 minutes into driving it goes away

Along with the noise when turning the steering, i hear a small vacuum noise also which goes away as well...

Should i replace seals... fluid....

Thank you guys

[Skibane]

A little PS noise during a cold start isn't all that unusual.

If you don't know the vehicle's maintenance history, replacing the power steering fluid would definitely be a good idea - it's one of those often-overlooked maintenance items that tends to get really bad before anyone notices.

Ideally, you want to flush out all the old fluid throughout the system, rather than merely replacing the small amount in the reservoir.

[OwnerCS]

A little PS noise during a cold start isn't all that unusual.

If you don't know the vehicle's maintenance history, replacing the power steering fluid would definitely be a good idea - it's one of those often-overlooked maintenance items that tends to get really bad before anyone notices.

Ideally, you want to flush out all the old fluid throughout the system, rather than merely replacing the small amount in the reservoir.

+1 to changing power steering fluid.

While the Q's power steering has never become noisy, I attribute it to keeping the fluid clean. I have purchased used 4th gen DSC4 (95-99) Maximas and an I30 with some amount of power steering noise that I was able to remedy by just flushing the PS fluid.

For those DSC4s, I exchange the PS fluid until it runs clean and then the pump noise will go away.

I like Valvoline PS fluid (in the white bottle) because it is clear so I can tell when the system has been completely flushed.

The only vehicle I've had that didn't like the Valvoline clear fluid was on a 95 Ford F-150. For whatever reason that Ford PS pump will stand up and scream if I don't use Type F ATF. Ok whatever.. That's why I love my Nissans.. LOL

Here's a picture of the Valvoline PS fluid from the white bottle below. The Q seems to love it.