Suspension Issue

[SEMaximaDude97]

So I recently bought a 97 SE and when I got it I had some minor steering issues but I thought it was just an alignment issue. So I aligned it at work the other day and that cleared up most of the problem. However when driving down the road the steering wheel floats to the left and the right probably about 3 inches each way and takes the car in that direction unless i hold the wheel straight. The issue is more noticeable when going over bumps or pot holes because it will pull the car harshly in that direction. I had the car up on the lift and can't find anything visually wrong with the suspension but I know this isn't typical of how Maximas drive considering I've owned one before. Any suggestions?

[danielekfuj]

my steering wheel is a bit jumpy when driving on rough roads or taking corners at 70mph too, but it is not much of a problem. it also tends to drift off to the right a little, but that might be due to it being t-boned in the past... depends on the severity, but a little bit i think is normal.

[Sentientbydesign]

When you had it aligned, did you caster and camber angles? Are all the bushing intact? I have a 96 and it won't stay aligned. It could be a frame issue, but the shop also said they've seen problems where the rack and pinion get grease where it doesnt' belong and start sliding.

Hope that helps.

[SEMaximaDude97]

Caster and Camber were both fine it was just Toe that was way messed up. It was fine in the rear but up front the right toe was only slightly off but the left was severely off. I was thinking maybe it was an issue in the steering rack or maybe the inner tie rod that may cause the steering to be so loose. It's really not bad driving around on well paved roads but on city roads it can be a pain in the *** to handle the car. Same on really bumpy highways the more I build up speed. thanks for the help though lemme know if you have any other ideas.

[Sentientbydesign]

If you can lift it up by it's chasis, try to check the play in the wheels (all four). I'd suspect it was the rack or a bushing that's giving you that kind of play.

[lightsout]

nice spread...b/c i have that same problem, and have no idea how to fix it.........LAME

Devin

[SEMaximaDude97]

Yea I have no idea why I didn't think to check that out while I had it up on the lift last time. Hopefully it all winds up being simple because some suspension things seem pretty easy to fix while others seem like they would be a pain in the *** to service.

[SEMaximaDude97]

I'm gonna probably start tearing into it at work tommorow I'll let you know what I find.

[lightsout]

sickness, because i'm tired of pushing the pedal to the floor on a slightly uneven street, and the car pulling left and right then back left....then waaaaay too far to the right!!

Devin
Modified by lightsout at 11:58 PM 9/19/2007

[King James]

I had the same problem with mine and i had to replace both insulator caps, both strut bearing bushings, the rack and pinion bushing replaced also had energy suspension bushing installed in the control arms and had it aligned and i got rid of the problem. I know it sounds like alot but it was worth it. $294 parts $260 Labordriving straight without being pulled off the road priceless

[lightsout]

where can i buy these parts...autozone?

do you have part numbers?????????

[SEMaximaDude97]

dude that's a ton of stuff but yea it would be worth it at the same time. just like the guy above i'm tired of getting pulled hard to the left or the right every time i give the car any kind of gas on a bumpy road. i feel like i'm gonna lose control of the car at any moment. thanks for the info i'll be sure to look into all of that.

[lightsout]

turns out my problem was:

1. slightly worn insulator caps2. front right control arm had 1 SHOT bushing - but the bushing is built into the arm, so i had to buy a new arm :-)3. my PS hose was leaking onto the control arm causing the bushing to go bad....so i replaced the hose and Gunked the PS pump.4. front right wheel bearing and hub were SHOT...lol - i took off the spindle and took it to the dealer and had them press in a new bearing and hub($369)

soo...all together everything cost me...

$580.66

and after all that.....NOW i have a motor mount bushing split in halfyaaaaay...

[Sentientbydesign]

You could have cut the old bushings off and used one of the Energy Suspension ones. They cost about $40 at autozone. The rubber ones that come with the I30 are supposed to be a softer more luxurious rides where as the Maxima came with replaceable ones.

Also, check out http://www.motorvate.ca. That guy used some cheap hardware store tools to do the wheel bearings himself.

[lightsout]

the bushings are pressed into the arm when they are made...the bushing is not able to be cut off or pressed out(so i was told)

that guy had waaaay too much patients..i need my car done that day, and don't mind the cost!!

thanks tho man!! ...thanks for the link!!