Adjustable steering rack on Maximas

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David Geesaman - 30 Jul 2004 03:33 GMT

I have a 97 SE with a very freely moving steering rack. Apparently
there should be an amount of friction against sliding, and according to TSB
00-037B, adjusting a nut on the rack can adjust that friction. It also
mentioned Pathfinders, Altimas, and Quests have a similar rack.

A dealer quoted $200 for the work, including a realignment - ouch. I
just had a complete alignment done 2 weeks ago.
It looks really tight to get to this adjuster nut, and even more
impossible to get to the locknut. It seems like lowering the rack somewhat
would help a lot.

Is this something do-able by a home mechanic? Any help appreciated.

Dave

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Meat-->Plow - 30 Jul 2004 16:52 GMT

> I have a 97 SE with a very freely moving steering rack. Apparently
>there should be an amount of friction against sliding, and according to TSB
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Dave

Why would you have it aligned if the R&P had a bunch of freeplay in it?

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David Geesaman - 30 Jul 2004 18:19 GMT

> > I have a 97 SE with a very freely moving steering rack. Apparently
> >there should be an amount of friction against sliding, and according to TSB
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Why would you have it aligned if the R&P had a bunch of freeplay in it?

Zero freeplay, I assure you. This adjusts the preload on the pinion bearing
and translates into a little more force to make the wheel/steering system
turn.

The problem is that any suspension motion or road bump will cause the
steering linkage/wheel to move, and so I have to constantly correct my line
at higher speeds because it's not possible to hold the wheel perfectly
still. It's been driving me nuts and getting worse for the last 30k, and I
finally found this procedure.

I can also feel it when the car is off the ground - I can turn the front
wheels much easier than on my other cars.

Dave

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Meat-->Plow - 31 Jul 2004 17:58 GMT

>> > I have a 97 SE with a very freely moving steering rack. Apparently
>> >there should be an amount of friction against sliding, and according to
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
>Dave

Well when you said " very freely moving steering rack" I took that to mean
"freeplay"

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