phobix

The steering wheel has a looseness to it when turning around corners and going over bumps. It feels like something in the steering column is loose. This clicking/looseness sensation through the steering wheel is more profound when riding over bumpy surfaces. But when parked if I move the steering from left to right I can feel the same clicking sensation.

I had the car at the dealership and they replaced the stabilizer links but the problem is still there. I also brought the car to my own mechanic and he had inspected everything from the wheel bearings, tie-rod ends, bushings, ball-joints, etc and all checked out fine.

This problem is so annoying and I would appreciate if anybody has any idea what it could be.

Is it possible that there is a bad bearing in the steering mechanism? Could it be the steering knuckle or the steering rack itself? I have an extended gold warranty to 100k and only have 58k on the car now so any help I could get on the source of this problem would be great.

spastic

Wow... I thought that I was the only one with this problem. Unfortunately, I don't have a resolution. Sorry about that. But if two people are experiencing the exact same issue there's bound to be more. Anyone find a fix?

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Got that here too. Just assumed it was part of the "experience".

phobix

Since there are people experiencing this problem then should I assume that this is normal in the 5th gen? perhaps a poll is in order? It certainly doesn't feel normal coming from driving my 93 Maxima SE and my Wife's 2005 Civic.

MaxedOut2003

iTrader: (2)

SAme problem here and its been getting worse the dealer told me it has to do with my suspension since the car is dropped and told me they cant look at it since i have a modified car and it wont be under warrenty.

phobix

That dealer doesn't make any sense ... my car is all stock and has the problem, any excuse not to repair the problem under warranty.

bigEL

Did they check your strut mount bearings?

phobix

No...Could the strut mount bearing be the cause of these symptoms?

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Was just reading a post on the NASIOC site. Do we have steering bushings?

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...5&page=2&pp=25

Maxrider24/7

Yeah I have the same problem and dealing with the dealership is like pulling teeth

AcerX

My steering wheel will click when my car has been in the humid southeastern sun for a few hours. Make sure the plastic isn't expanded and rubbing against something.

phobix

Well...I don't think the problem is caused by plastic expanding. I can definetly feel something knocking when I hit bumps. This knocking / vibration is felt through the steering wheel. It doesn't seem to matter if the brakes are applied or not. It's a real baffling problem, could this be a strut mount bearing?

phobix

ressurected from the dead... Anyone else have any input to this most frustrating problem.

cutter

iTrader: (1)

I think this is the same problem I am having. When I am traveling like under 30 mphs and when I hit a bump I hear like something rattling in the steering column. It is so annoying. My dad is a mechanic and we took apart the whole dash and we couldnt find anything. He also doesn't know, or I don't think he cared because he thinks I am too **** with my car. But it is very annoying.

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

Not sure whats causing your clicking, but i def believe bad sway bar links cause looseness in the steering. since you replaced those then i am clueless. i had the sway bar links replaced on my 02 and i think my 03 needs it also. I got the looseness now. Maxima sway bar links are trash............

lowincash

iTrader: (2)

my steering wheel makes a clicking sound...like it's ok when going straight but when i just move the steering wheel slightly left or right it'll make a click sound...and i feel it too. i thought the clicking was just to let you know that you're turning or something =/ it was annoying when i first got the car but now i'm use to it and don't notice it anymore haha

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

This seems to be a common problem, so I'm bumping this up. Does no one have an idea as to what might be the cause? Any confirmation of the need for steering rack bushings?

I'm gonna go dig up my FSM now....

Max51

Same ol'**** here.....almost feels like there is too much play in the wheel. When I hit small bumps such as the ones when turning into a driveway I can feel the steering wheel jolt. With so many people having the same problem, it seems it may have to do with the whole design of the steering system. Oh well, just add it to the list of ****ed up things on my max.

steven88

iTrader: (28)

are you guys talking about an interior click? if so, I've driven a few cars that do this....including my old 96 maxima....iirc, my friend's civic does this as well...i don't really find it annoying...since im already use to it

Nismonkey

iTrader: (2)

clicking from the steering column...yeah, kinda sounds like that click after your turn blinker is about to shut off...it kinda catches. That's about as close of an explanation I can get to it...

steven88

iTrader: (28)

gotcha....My 2k2 doesn't make this noise...but my old 96 did...and a few other cars i've driven made this noise as well....I wouldn't go so far to say it's something f'ed up in the steering

XxWarderxX

I have this problem too. Hopefully, someone can identify the source.

Whtmax'01

Anyone ever find solution to the problem.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

my coilovers dont click. they sqeak.

maybe your 5.5 gens are janky?

steven88

iTrader: (28)

my coilovers are nice and quiet too...they hardly squeak if they ever do...i love it

phobix

I did...I sold the car

Not because of the clicking, but because of rising gas prices...

Progress

iTrader: (26)

I'm going to go with something involved with the strut mount assembly. Those will go in our cars. Does it happen when you turn the wheel without the car moving?

Whtmax'01

the rattle sound doesn't seem to be there when turning, only while driving slowly over small bumps.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

Then you bumped the wrong thread. You probably have a loose sway bar end link.

Whtmax'01

replaced the end links and bushings.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

Then you may have a blown strut.

TheBigDu

iTrader: (1)

****, I have this problem too. It started somewhere around 60k miles and it's been getting worse for the past 10k... Very annoying

I wonder if this is related to my vibration at highway speeds (have had wheels balanced numerous times)...

orangejuicejay

I read a few people talk about vibrations on the road. i am not experiencing the clicking sound but a week ago i noticed a bumpy feeling in the steering wheel, like i was driving over reflectors in the road....very strange. i took it in to my mechanic and he took the right front wheel off cause i felt like it was coming from the right side......he was checking the brakes and noticed that the entire wheel assembly was loose. the main axle nut was loose....so he torqued that down and replaced the cotter pin and now its good to go...n more vibrations. at first they thought it might have been a wheel bearing...but it was just the giant nut that holes the rotor and brake assemly to the axle. i hope that helps someone.

TheBigDu

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I'll have to look into this when I do my front brakes. That sounds pretty Fing dangerous. And it's not a click with me either, but feels like something is loose over bumps.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

I've driven around in my car without a cotter pin and suffered the same symptoms. That is a dangerous way to drive. Definitely get it checked out.