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Altima Nissan Altima Sedan Discussion Forum

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  #1  
Old 06-10-2015, 09:06 AM
joek852 joek852 is offline
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2012 Altima Coupe
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Default Stiff Steering

I have a 2012 Altima and it has stiff steering. One day it was fine and the next day it acted like there was no power steering. Everything else works. I looked on line and there seems to be two issues.

1. The pump or the hydraulic unit failed or belt failure.( it is not belt failure)

2. The universal joints are corroded on the steering column and are very hard to turn.

I sprayed the outside universal joint with a lubricant but it is very hard to get to. This helped a little bit but has not resolved the stiffness at low speeds. The universal joint seems to be sealed and will not accept the lubricant. Anybody have any ideas or similar problem that they have resolved. I hate to go to the dealer and they start replacing parts until they resolve the problem. This seams to be a problem that does not come up that often. Thanks for your help in advance.http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/image...es/smile_1.gif
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  #2  
Old 06-10-2015, 06:14 PM
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mpe235 mpe235 is offline
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If it is worse after the car sits for several hours it is usually the lower steering shaft. Make sure the power steering fluid is full. Leaks at the return line that runs by the oil filter area are common.
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  #3  
Old 06-11-2015, 04:06 AM
joek852 joek852 is offline
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Thanks. The Reservoir is full and I didn't see any leaks when I put it up on the lift. If I turn the steering wheel slowly the assist seams to work. If I turn it quickly it does not work. I am not familiar with the term lower steering shaft. Can you describe what your referring to? Is it the hydraulic unit that pushes and pulls the steering arms.

Thanks
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  #4  
Old 06-12-2015, 05:09 PM
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mpe235 mpe235 is offline
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The lower steering shaft is the part that connects the steering column in the car to the steering rack. It has a universal joint in it that binds and causes the steering to become stiff.
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Old 06-12-2015, 05:51 PM
joek852 joek852 is offline
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Thanks for help. I have looked at it and it is in a bad location. Do you know how long it takes to repair it and the cost of the part?
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Old 06-14-2015, 11:45 AM
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mpe235 mpe235 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joek852 View Post
Thanks for help. I have looked at it and it is in a bad location. Do you know how long it takes to repair it and the cost of the part?

Dorman

Takes about an hour to replace with the car on a lift.
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Old 06-15-2015, 08:37 AM
joek852 joek852 is offline
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thanks for your help
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  #8  
Old 08-31-2015, 01:28 PM
joek852 joek852 is offline
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I took the car to the dealer. It turned out that a Mouse ate part of the wiring and caused the problem. $600 dollars later the wiring was repaired and the fluid replaced.
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Old 11-13-2020, 11:31 AM
Houd92 Houd92 is offline
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Hi .. i have exactly the same problem and i am suspecting it to be a cut wire .. can you please tell me where is this wire you fixed
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