turning radius
05-16-2010, 03:57 PM
#1
turning radius
idk about anyone else but after driving my 6.5 for 2yrs i think that the turning radius of the maxima sucks. so i want to know if anyone has changed anything to improve the turning radius like the knuckles, tie rods, etc. etc. any info would be helpful
05-16-2010, 04:22 PM
#4
coming for a 3rd and 4th gen to the 5th and 6th turning radius is HORRIBLE! afaik nothing can be done. you could always shave the stops for your rack but it could lead to axles popping out.
05-18-2010, 11:40 AM
#12
yea my previous cars wpuld do them in 2-2.5 lanes also
05-18-2010, 06:02 PM
#13
jeeuz , Are you guys serious ? my U-Turns arent as bad as the comment about a 3point turn..
it doesnt sharp as my FD or S13,14s but I never made a 3 point turn in the 6th..
I have to make a uturn everytime im going onto the main road heading south..
it doesnt sharp as my FD or S13,14s but I never made a 3 point turn in the 6th..
I have to make a uturn everytime im going onto the main road heading south..
05-21-2010, 01:56 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 331
I had a 2003 5th gen which I sold about a year ago. I replaced it with a 2006 and I was hoping the turning radius was better, but it is just as bad as before. U turns require wide turns, the way 18 wheelers and school buses make them by going into the other lane and making sure the car behind doesn't try to slip by because you have to make such a wide turn.
Last edited by Redstone; 05-21-2010 at 08:57 PM.
05-21-2010, 02:04 PM
#16
I had a 2003 5th gen which I sold about a year ago. I replaced it with a 2006 and I was hoping the turning radius was better, but it is just as bad as before. U turns require wide turns, the way 18 wheelers and school buses make them by going into the other lane and making sure the car behind doesn't try to slip by because you have to make suck a wide turn.
05-21-2010, 03:33 PM
#18
Deep down you know you guys love it 
With my 95 Max I could do a complete U-turn at a small intersection without stopping (helps a lot in the city when you're looking for parking and someone is pulling out on the other side). Tried the same thing with the 07 once and failed so I dont bother with it anymore -- now I just pull into an alley and then back out lol
With my 95 Max I could do a complete U-turn at a small intersection without stopping (helps a lot in the city when you're looking for parking and someone is pulling out on the other side). Tried the same thing with the 07 once and failed so I dont bother with it anymore -- now I just pull into an alley and then back out lol
05-22-2010, 04:18 AM
#19
Deep down you know you guys love it
With my 95 Max I could do a complete U-turn at a small intersection without stopping (helps a lot in the city when you're looking for parking and someone is pulling out on the other side). Tried the same thing with the 07 once and failed so I dont bother with it anymore -- now I just pull into an alley and then back out lol
With my 95 Max I could do a complete U-turn at a small intersection without stopping (helps a lot in the city when you're looking for parking and someone is pulling out on the other side). Tried the same thing with the 07 once and failed so I dont bother with it anymore -- now I just pull into an alley and then back out lol
05-22-2010, 08:24 PM
#20
yeah.. u-turns are horrible. especially in a busy intersection.. i always do a quick u turn as fast as i can so i can back up a little to complete the turn before the parade of cars are coming at me. it's pretty disapointing..
05-22-2010, 08:53 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 331
No only disappointing, but downright dangerous especially if you misjudge the turn and can't complete it unless you reverse and the cars that were once at a safe distance away are closing in on you enough for you to floor it once you complete the turn. I am sure all of us have been in this position at least once.
05-23-2010, 05:26 AM
#22
No only disappointing, but downright dangerous especially if you misjudge the turn and can't complete it unless you reverse and the cars that were once at a safe distance away are closing in on you enough for you to floor it once you complete the turn. I am sure all of us have been in this position at least once.
![[TexMex]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23e95aa7' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
05-30-2010, 07:01 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 954
Coming from a 4th gen to a 6th gen... I remember trying to pull into a parking space the first time. Didn't happen too well. Our cars have nearly a 40ft turning diameter... it just takes getting used to.
Last edited by jman7777; 05-30-2010 at 07:03 PM.
06-06-2010, 01:40 PM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 37
Love my wife's 02 Maxima, but after driving my 04 BMW (or even our 94 Corolla) I find her steering to be not only annoying but dangerous. I can't believe that the aftermarket hasn't come up with some kind of kit to address this. 
06-06-2010, 02:21 PM
#28
Oh I remember the horrible turning radius in the 6th gens quite well. I had a few near misses with curbs because of it. If any of you decide to go to a 7th gen, the radius is better. It is not as good as the 4th gens but in my opinion, it is on par with the 5th gens.
06-25-2010, 08:52 PM
#29
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Riner, VA when I'm not working in Iraq.
Posts: 4
So basically, other than a handbrake assisted turn there is nothing that can be done about this? Does anyone out there autocross with their Maxima? I would think the turning radius would completely rule that out.
06-25-2010, 11:16 PM
#30
someone has, but when your track is this wide, well it's inherent to turn wide.
06-26-2010, 01:19 AM
#31
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Riner, VA when I'm not working in Iraq.
Posts: 4
True, and it's that wide stance that makes me love ripping into curves on the Virginia back roads like a banshee. Guess we're (well, at least "I am") wanting to have the cake and eat it too.
06-26-2010, 07:27 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 331
By comparison I can do the same turns in my 4runner without even going wide. The Maxima is downright horrible on Uturns.
06-26-2010, 08:35 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 191
Official numbers, turning radius (from cars.com):
4th gen: 17.4'
5th gen: 17.7'
6th gen: 20.0'
7th gen: 18.7'
For comparison:
2010 smart ForTwo: 14.4'
1997 Ford Aspire: 14.8'
1997 Geo Metro: 15.7'
1997 Honda Civic: 16.4'
2010 Honda Civic: 17.7'
2002 Nissan Pathfinder: 18.7'
2007 Nissan Armada: 20.5'
2005 Ford Excursion 4x4: 26.5'
4th gen: 17.4'
5th gen: 17.7'
6th gen: 20.0'
7th gen: 18.7'
For comparison:
2010 smart ForTwo: 14.4'
1997 Ford Aspire: 14.8'
1997 Geo Metro: 15.7'
1997 Honda Civic: 16.4'
2010 Honda Civic: 17.7'
2002 Nissan Pathfinder: 18.7'
2007 Nissan Armada: 20.5'
2005 Ford Excursion 4x4: 26.5'
06-26-2010, 08:46 PM
#34
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 86
I agree turning radius blows!I learned to use both hands!If you live in the city it really sucks good thing I'am a good driver not to brag but if you see a u turn or just turn you know your 6th gen cant make without looking like a complete retard go around!lol
Too bad such a great car has such a major flaw!I would like to hear some input from the nissan engineers.There has got to be a explaination on it
Too bad such a great car has such a major flaw!I would like to hear some input from the nissan engineers.There has got to be a explaination on it
06-28-2010, 04:45 AM
#35
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 9
I def. agree with you guys. I went from a 350Z to an '07 F150 Supercrew FX4 to my '07 Max. I tell ya....while the radius should be closer to the Z....I swear I could pull into parking lots easier in my truck....
This is one of two things that really bug me about the max....the other being the wheel gap in the front.
This is one of two things that really bug me about the max....the other being the wheel gap in the front.
07-01-2010, 08:42 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: inside my own mind
Posts: 1,506
The turning radius for our Maximas is nothing. I used to own a Buick Regal, nuff said. I actually drive my 6.5 like a Buick and I can whip that sucker around corners and stuff like its a Honda Civic.