Need Diagnostic Help With Steering Problem - 2004 Nissan Sentra

[Fitz98]

I have an intermittent steering issue with my 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8.
Problem is mostly when the engine is cold and at startup and the vehicle is at rest. Problem seems to go away after things warm up.
When starting the engine at the beginning of the day, the steering is "choppy". It will have a smooth easy rotation, as it should, for part of the turn of the steering wheel, followed by hard resistance for part of the turn, then easy, then hard.
It is more noticeable approaching full lock to left and right. It happens in both directions of rotation.
The steering fluid level is good, the PS belt seems to have good tension and has been replaced, there is no whining noise synonymous with a bad steering pump and there is no noticeable clunking or grinding noise in the range of motion.
Any advice on what I might look for to help diagnose this condition to determine what I need to replace instead of just throwing parts at it?

 

[GSCJR]

Get the front wheels off the ground and turn the steering lock to lock. Report back with your findings. Be sure to perform the lock to lock sequence from the wheels and then from the steering wheel to check for discrepancies.

 

[FowVay]

If it's jerky then it's likely a belt slipping on the pulley. To test you can try spraying some belt dressing on the belt. Also, make sure the power steering belt system isn't driven by another totally unrelated belt system which could also be causing the problem.

Example, I had a Hyundai that had belt squeal and jerky steering for what seemed like years. I had changed the belt twice, put soap and belt dressing on the belt and had finally just given up on it for fear that it's just the way it was. One day I was pondering life and it occurred to me that power steering belt was driven off of the water pump. The water pump was driven off of the crankshaft pulley. Further investigation showed that my slipping belt wasn't the power steering belt at all but rather the water pump belt. All of the noise and slippage was coming from that source.

Poke around and pay attention to all of the belts in your system and you'll likely find your issue.

 

[supton]

Goes away when it warms up? sounds like morning sickness. The seals in the rack are tired. When they get some heat, they swell up a bit and do their job. My old Camry started doing that, and that is what I was told. I simply ignored it, as it went away once warm.

Not saying that it is that, just that a tired rack has been noted on other models.

 

[bullwinkle]

If you were in cold weather & not in FL, I would say it's the (non-synthetic) OEM PS fluid that is at fault-I've had several trucks, both mine & the companies, that had virtually no PS assist the first 3-4 minutes they were running. Our cold-soaked Express 3500 box truck actually had knocking noises coming from the PS pump at 0F this morning whenever the wheel was turned or the brakes depressed (hydroboost system). Is it that cold down there in the snow (?)

 

[Rand]

If it's jerky then it's likely a belt slipping on the pulley. To test you can try spraying some belt dressing on the belt. Also, make sure the power steering belt system isn't driven by another totally unrelated belt system which could also be causing the problem.

Example, I had a Hyundai that had belt squeal and jerky steering for what seemed like years. I had changed the belt twice, put soap and belt dressing on the belt and had finally just given up on it for fear that it's just the way it was. One day I was pondering life and it occurred to me that power steering belt was driven off of the water pump. The water pump was driven off of the crankshaft pulley. Further investigation showed that my slipping belt wasn't the power steering belt at all but rather the water pump belt. All of the noise and slippage was coming from that source.

Poke around and pay attention to all of the belts in your system and you'll likely find your issue.

belt dressing is only to be used on V-belts not serpentine..

 

[mk378]

The vanes in the pump can get sticky, causing it to spin (quietly) but not pump. Changing the fluid may help.

 

[michaelluscher]

What's the mileage?
Factory rack and pump?
What type of fluid are you using in there? (It calls for Nissan PSF or a generic Dex/Merc ATF)

There's TSBs for belt slippage (revised belt and tension) and a hissing noise (replace pump)
https://charm.li/Nissan-Datsun/2004... Alternator Drive Belt Chirping or Squealing/
https://charm.li/Nissan-Datsun/2004...ice Bulletins/Power Steering - Hissing Noise/

 

[Fitz98]

What's the mileage?
Factory rack and pump?
What type of fluid are you using in there? (It calls for Nissan PSF or a generic Dex/Merc ATF)

There's TSBs for belt slippage (revised belt and tension) and a hissing noise (replace pump)
https://charm.li/Nissan-Datsun/2004... Alternator Drive Belt Chirping or Squealing/
https://charm.li/Nissan-Datsun/2004...ice Bulletins/Power Steering - Hissing Noise/

223k Miles.
All original factory steering components and fluids.

 

[panthermike]

It could be worth trying some Lubegard, a couple of ounces in the reservoir, along with a fluid exchange. If yours takes power steering fluid and not ATF, they do make a power steering specific product. Not saying that will fix it, but easy enough to try.

 

[JimPghPA]

If it ever makes a clunk noise when turning while warmed up it probably is the rack and you should stop driving it, and get it fixed before using it any more.

 

[Marcozi]

Get a turkey baster and replace the fluid.