Versa Steering Assembly - KLUNK!!

[gardippi]

I have 2007 Versa. It was diagnosed with an intermediate Steering column problem needing replacing. It clunks at low speed when turning and you can feel it under your feet. Service at Dealership said it was not a safety concern thus my extended insurance company (Sovereign) won't pay the $300 quote despite advertising as a bumper to bumper warranty. Very frustrated with Nissan and this private insurance that Nissan sold me.

Other issues with Versa is that the steering wheel wears out. I had one replaced and not after 60,000 km Iam ready for a second one.

This car reminds me of the old Nissan Micras. Won't recommend and entry level Nissan to anyone. Go Mazda, Ford or even Hyundai. AND DON"T buy extended insurance.

[PLD]

Thank you for your the thread on this issue. Thought I might be alone. I have, I think, the same problem (low speed klunk) and need some help sourcing the part.

The part number for the Intermediate Steering Column is: (I think)
48080-EM02D
This replaces PN 48080-EM01A, 00A, etc. I hope it is a newly engineered part that does not have this problem.

Searching on that gets you nowhere. But 48080 does get these links:
2010 Nissan Versa Steering Column - 488235
for $167.67.
This should work in a 2008 model (mine) as well and has listed the full part number.

Alternate:
Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

$161.29

Not 100% sure this is the updated part though. The older part is the one with the problems.

My question is where to get this part for for less than the online dealer prices listed above.

The local dealer told me the part was ~$208 from them in the store and +$65 to install. I've seen the steering area and am mechanically inclined, so I think I can do this myself. I just want to know if there's a less expensive source for this part as I've been unable to find it.

Let me know. Thanks.

Peter

[joshua5000456]

nissan actually makes some of the best suspension. I work at a nissan dealer and have so for about 3 years i used to work at a chevy dealer. Rarely do we find any problems past struts or strut mounts as an issue. Unless the vehicle has been wrecked and comes in from the body shop. I've found that aftermarket struts make noise on most nissans or aftermarket strut mounts. the problem with the wheel covers (hub caps) is a common problem, they do only have plastic clips on the back holding a metal ring for support. You remove the hubcap alot of times you will notice that the plastic turns white that means its about to break. Plastic can not take much stress before it breaks. most of the new versas that we have been doing pdis on, now come with different hub caps where you dont remove them because they have lug nut cut outs. But the suspension problem isnt a common problem. Maybe intermediate shaft, ive only replaced a few but they do go out sometimes. Depends on when it makes the noise. Could be the steering column but i have yet to see one go out even on the older versas with high mileage. To be honest with the wheel cap issue we got to the point where sometimes we just give the customer wheel caps for customer satisfaction because we know how cheap they are.