Heavy steering on Nissan Almera N16

[ProgRocker]

I'm currently cursing my car on account of the heavy steering. It has 16 inch alloys. I wonder if this is just a characterstic of the car or if anything could be done to make it lighter. It seems that I have a history of picking cars with heavy steering: the poverty spec Tempra that lacked PAS, the SEAT Ibiza with 14 inch steel wheels and now this Almera. On the contrary the ex police Escort 1.8 L D had nice light steering. During my 6 months owning this inbetween the the Ibiza and the Almera, it had really light steering (optional PAS fitted of course). I had fun in that turning the steering wheel round fast (something I couldn't do in the Ibiza).   

 

I did get it MOT'd last month and I did get advisories on the perished dust covers on the track rod ends. I wonder if that may play a part in the heavy steering? This will be a job that will need to be done in the next year as I doubt it will pass the next MOT.

 

The tyres are checked and inflated to the recommended pressures. Added a bit more steering fluid but mothing worked.

 

Cheers.

[bigstraight6]

It could well be the balljoints, even if they have no play in them they could be stiff due the kippered dust covers allowing moisture in to wreck havoc. I've just had the same on my Triumph 2000, new balljoints have transformed it.....

[MikeR]

Top of strut bearings ok , up the tyre pressure for a full load ! , dare i say try new tyres ???

[UltraWomble]

Cant says I have any issues with my N16 - running 195/55/16 tyres on the front - 205 on the rear ( cos cheaper)

[ProgRocker]

Thanks for the comments.

 

The front tyres were replaced two years ago and only have about 5000 miles of wear so I doubt it's those.

[Kiltox]

How much fluid did you need to add? Any leaks?

 

If it was a fair bit, try bleeding the system (cap off the reservoir, engine running, lock to lock a few times)

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I would jack front of car up so both wheels free, drain old fluid completely, refill with fresh stuff. Turn steering lock to lock a few times checking fluid level.

 

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

[ProgRocker]

I'm no mechanic. I have never bled anything on any car I have had.   I suppose it could be a power steering pump issue.

[cpjitservices]

I'm no mechanic. I have never bled anything on any car I have had.   I suppose it could be a power steering pump issue.

Could be the pump, however, I had this on my old 1.6 Picasso and after 2 different PAS pump replacements it turned out to be the steering rack.

[ProgRocker]

Could be the pump, however, I had this on my old 1.6 Picasso and after 2 different PAS pump replacements it turned out to be the steering rack.

 

Sounds like the track rod ends on mine are the best place to start.

[ProgRocker]

Bump!

 

Well I had the track rod ends replaced a year ago and that made bugger all difference.

 

I tried spraying some '3 in 1 oil' cheapo version of WD40 onto the metal bits and it seems to have helped. I watched a YT video of someone doing the same on a 2004 Kia Sedona and I thought I'd give it a go.