Steering Rack Bulletin Released!!!

[SteveTheTech]

Good Morning EX and M35x owners,

I wanted to share this with you all before you found out elsewhere.

ITB09-030 addresses all M35xs that were built before 4/03/2009 and EX35s built before 4/7/2009 so that pretty much covers everyone.

Now this is NOT a recall and you will not be notified about this it is a Technical Service Bulletin for those with powertrain warranties you should have no issue getting this part installed and your car aligned.

The new part numbers are-M35x- 49001-EH11B-EX35,w/ 17"s- 49001-1BA3A-EX35, w/18"s- 49001-1BA3B

Call your local Infiniti dealer today and get yourself on the list to get this new rack.

When we were talking about this earlier I told you all that they would have the part out before the summer, it looks they did not let us down.

If any of the local (DC metro) members want to get on my list for this please email me and I will get you set up.

[G35cJ]

Hi, Steve:I am about to buy an EX from dealer. Will the new car have all TSB and recall issues taken care of before being sold to me? Or I have to take care of it after buying the car? Will the dealer tell me about all these?Thanks.

[cjre1]

Just my input, yes and no. My dealer did not do any recalls or TSB's when I bought the car. I had to buy the car, then drive off the lot and find another dealer to do everything for me. You can read my post from this week.

I had to change delaers, because the first one is a sham and CA (customer affairs for Infiniti) is now investigating them.

[cjre1]

Steve,

There are many dealers that will not do the rack install if you do not experience any problems, Am I wrong about this? I called three dealers and they told me the same.

A TSB is only a TSB and not a recall, so it is up to the dealer to perform the TSB if they like. Remember that they have to charge back Inifinti and justify this replacement.

Since I have no vibration with mine, I can not get it changed. Correct?

Can you please tell us what Vin#'s this covers.

My vibration was fixed with the ECM and TCM flash, but this can be only a temp fix. I don't understand why the ECM and TCM has anything to do with the rack. Maybe you can shed some light here.

Thanks.

[cjre1]

Steve, sorry for all the post.

Quick question, how come this TSB did not come out on the infinitihelp knowledgebase?

[Mark Booth]

Steve,

Thanks for the heads up on the steering rack bulletin!

Mark

[SteveTheTech]

Steve,

Thanks for the heads up on the steering rack bulletin!

Mark

This addressed the steering vibration (see the 4 page thread in the main page of the Nico EX forum) complaint experienced by many EX and M35x owners. It is not needed by everyone and those who are experiencing this will know exactly what it is.

Steve, sorry for all the post.

Quick question, how come this TSB did not come out on the infinitihelp knowledgebase?

That's because Nico is better than Infinitihelp. Plain and simple we win again.

[AWGD8]

Steve:

This morning when I entered the interstate to merge , I noticed a humming (low pitch whinning sound) right below the steering column.- Like drone sound. The sound emmits only on steady speed and doesn`t get louder or weaker when you tap the gas. it just there consistently at 50-60 MPH.This is the first time I heard this and even when the radio is on, it`s very noticeable. I called my delearship and told me that observe it for a few days and give them a call if it`s getting worse. Could this be a steering pump? but I wasn`t turning the steering when the sound emmits

[RioD007]

Does this apply to EX's with non AWD? My EX exhibits all the same symptoms but is RWD?

[cjre1]

+1 to that and Amen!!

[cjre1]

Could be for all EX's that have this issue. There is more to find out about this before we call it.........

[xxxalpinexxx80]

Oh that is great. To bad my warrenty is over or close to it. I don't get vibrations 98% of driving, only one time when I was on the highway. Looks to me I won't need it.

[SteveTheTech]

Hi, Steve:I am about to buy an EX from dealer. Will the new car have all TSB and recall issues taken care of before being sold to me? Or I have to take care of it after buying the car? Will the dealer tell me about all these?Thanks.

It really depends on where you get your car from. Some dealers will bring it in and fix recalls but not TSBs. In some of the cases it takes a few hundred miles from the symptoms to become pronounced and others do not do it at all.

Steve:This morning when I entered the interstate to merge , I noticed a humming (low pitch whinning sound) right below the steering column.- Like drone sound. The sound emmits only on steady speed and doesn`t get louder or weaker when you tap the gas. it just there consistently at 50-60 MPH.This is the first time I heard this and even when the radio is on, it`s very noticeable. I called my delearship and told me that observe it for a few days and give them a call if it`s getting worse. Could this be a steering pump? but I wasn`t turning the steering when the sound emmits

There are many things that could cause that wheel bearings would be my first guess. I do not think that would be the steering rack because the criteria for this complaint is a slow speed turn, as discussed in the Steering Vibration thread.

Oh that is great. To bad my warrenty is over or close to it. I don't get vibrations 98% of driving, only one time when I was on the highway. Looks to me I won't need it.

Well good news and bad news. Bad News- If you are no longer covered under your warranty and do not have an extended warranty policy you will need to start putting some money aside for a rainy day fund just for your car. These cars do not break often but when they do the components are expensive to fix. Putting cheap parts on these cars is a bad idea so if you plan ahead you should be alright. Good New-A steering rack is not your main concern. I think you have a tire balance issue or poor tire condition.

Could be for all EX's that have this issue. There is more to find out about this before we call it.........

There is a specific VIN range for this bulletin but to the best of my recollection this is not limited to AWD or RWD models only by rim size.

Chris- Please try to consolidate some of your posts, using this thread as an example you had three posts in succession when you can say your piece in one, try quoting the people you would like to respond to. Some of us get an email for every post in a thread that we may be watching. I'm not trying to discourage your participation in our little group here but try a little consolidation. This isn't a race, try using the EDIT button and adding to your post as you read it. You should have the ability to edit your own posts.

Final thought for this post. I find it interesting that this bulletin specifies 17 or 18 inch wheels on the EX, yet many dealers and individuals have swapped them out. I really wonder what the difference is. The ESM makes no mention of a difference. I wonder if the resistance rate is different or something like that. If I can get two new cars with 17 and 18s I will use my pulling torque gauge to see what the difference is.

[rontek]

Chris- Please try to consolidate some of your posts, using this thread as an example you had three posts in succession when you can say your piece in one, try quoting the people you would like to respond to. Some of us get an email for every post in a thread that we may be watching. I'm not trying to discourage your participation in our little group here but try a little consolidation. This isn't a race, try using the EDIT button and adding to your post as you read it. You should have the ability to edit your own posts.

AMEN !

[sg77]

There is a specific VIN range for this bulletin but to the best of my recollection this is not limited to AWD or RWD models only by rim size.

Steve, could you tell us what the VIN range is?

Here's some info from the TSB at infiniti-techinfo.com (I don't have access to see the rest though):"IF YOU CONFIRM: A groan or similar noise at low vehicle speeds when centering the vehicle steering after a right turn. The noise is more likely to occur when the vehicle is cold. A slight vibration may be felt in the steering wheel. NOTE: This incident (if confirmed) does not affect the ability to steer the vehicle. Its only manifestation is unusual noise or slight vibration. ACTION: Replace the steering gear (rack) assembly with the one specified in the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin."

[cjre1]

AMEN !

Rontek,

We don't need that comment. I got the point.

Steve,

Thanks for the update. Not a problem. For you anything.
Modified by cjre1 at 6:46 PM 6/10/2009

[rontek]

Rontek,

We don't need that comment. I got the point.

Sorry, but 15 posts a day and to every topic in the forum is excessive. It makes it hard to filter between the pertinant information and chatter. Everybody's input is appreciated..........in moderation.

[RollerEx35]

i called my dealer today about the steering vibration issue and mentioned the TSB that was out and they said they are aware of it but they are not ready to do the software update yet and told me to check back the first or second week of July. is this normal?

Thanks,Ron

[rontek]

The TSB is for a Steering Rack Replacement. Not sure about the software update .

[Poyzinous]

Steve, the steering racks will begin to ship out to dealers towards the end of the month. So everyone, dont get too jittery. Just give it a little time. 'Also, If your EX has nothing wrong with it, dont throw it off a bridge. Theres no need to 'fix' a nonexistent issue.

[cjre1]

Funny thing to, I thought this forum was to help people whoever can help them and the more the better. I get this forum on my phone 24/7 so I post. If I know something to helps others, I will post. I didn't know that there was a limit per day?

So then, today, I made 3 post, so did I hit my limit?

[Poyzinous]

There is no post limit, we just don't want to see....

[Poyzinous]

things

[Poyzinous]

like

[Poyzinous]

this. it makes people wanna

[cjre1]

Funny, thing too, because I dont do that. I respond to each person with a new post for each reponse with or without a quote. This is the only forum that has a problem with that. Now your post is funny.... All my post acutally give good advice. People tend to criticize more than anything.

I guess I see that 2 people have an issue with this. I am not including Steve because he is cool, but others make fun....

[Poyzinous]

Calm down Chris. Like my slice from home Steve said, we just want to see you consolidate your posts. Dont get offended. Even the most active of members don't reach a 14 posts per day average. Think of it like driving to the store for bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper on 4 different trips in the same 20 minute period. Unecessary right?

[cjre1]

Dude,

I am cool, calm and collected. Just trying to get your chain, like you got mine. We are all cool here. I am on forums 24/7 with my phone and I really try to help people because I think the forums is the very best in helping others. I got help from here and want to pay it back.

I am 100% dedicated. I understand about consolidating my post.

BTW: "Think of it like driving to the store for bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper on 4 different trips in the same 20 minute period. Unecessary right?"NO, I sometimes do this. JK. I see your point, but hell it is fun to drive the EX35, so going to the store 4 times, would be cool to me, I have XM and a DVD screen in my EX.

[AWGD8]

Steve:

This morning when I entered the interstate to merge , I noticed a humming (low pitch whinning sound) right below the steering column.- Like drone sound. The sound emmits only on steady speed and doesn`t get louder or weaker when you tap the gas. it just there consistently at 50-60 MPH.This is the first time I heard this and even when the radio is on, it`s very noticeable. I called my delearship and told me that observe it for a few days and give them a call if it`s getting worse. Could this be a steering pump? but I wasn`t turning the steering when the sound emmits

F/U : Steve:

The next day I drove it , the noise is totally gone! It only happened that

one morning after I punched the throttle to merge with the semi on the

highway. I think my EX doesn`t want to be driven hard.

I was thinking about resetting my transmission to adopt to my driving habit.

Is there a way to do it in my garage? or need to send it to the dealership?

I guess this has been discussed before

[SteveTheTech]

I am sorry your legit question for overlooked in the banter. Not have an area for general discussion it appears that we are moving to real threads. I will sacrifice my thread for this.

I really think you may have been purging a small amount of hesitant air out your rack assembly. If the noise only happened once I would not stress it.

Infinitis are by nature sporty and enjoy a good spirited driving session (only if performed safely). There is a strong possibility that there was a small bubble that was forced out under full pressure and load while accelerating. If it happens again I would make a mental note of the circumstances surrounding the phenomenon and call your dealer, but I doubt you will hear anything else out of it. Don't really alter your driving style unless you got yourself a reckless driving ticket.

As for resetting the transmission adaptives, it is easier said than done. There is no procedure that I can find that specifically mentions erasing the TCU adaptive settings. There are defined procedures for the ECM but nothing for the transmission.