97 pathfinder steering problem

svneo · Jul 30th, 2003, 08:16 AM

I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with my steering system. I have 100k miles on my pathfinder. When the car is in park and I turn the wheel either direction it starts to vibrate a lot. It does not seem to be much of a problem when I'm driving, however it is noticeable at low speeds around tight corners. I checked the power steering fluid and it does not appear to be low. Any ideas as to what it might be?

thanks

jadcock · Jul 30th, 2003, 08:50 AM

Check the tension on the power steering belt (or the serpentine belt if it has one)...or check the belt itself. When the vehicle is stopped and you're trying to turn the wheels, the power steering pump has a huge load on it. Any slippage of the belt can cause the vibrations you feel.

svneo · Jul 30th, 2003, 09:23 AM

Would it be possible that fluid from doing a timing belt change, like cooland or grease could have gotten on the steering belt and caused the problem?

jadcock · Jul 30th, 2003, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by svneo
Would it be possible that fluid from doing a timing belt change, like cooland or grease could have gotten on the steering belt and caused the problem?

Yes, grease and coolant can contaminate a belt and cause it to grab or slip beyond normal. Especially if the problem with the steering happened right after fluid may have gotten on the belt, go ahead and change out the belt. Then I'd ask why the belt wasn't changed when this work was done.

svneo · Jul 31st, 2003, 10:33 AM

What about tension on the belt, is there any reason why it might be loose or tight after a timing belt change? Does it have to be removed to get to the timing belt? What's the difficulty level on changing the power steering belt?

1997XETruck · Jul 31st, 2003, 10:37 AM

Typically you have to remove all of the belts to get to the timing belt, so the tension would have been re-set on the (hopefully) new belts. I doubt it's very difficult to replace that belt - most RWD belts are easy to access... my mom's FWD Maxima is a little more difficult.

Heath

svneo · Aug 1st, 2003, 05:22 PM

You were right. I finally got under there today and not only was the tension incorrect, it wasn't set at all. The adjusting screw wasn't screwd into the lock nut. So there was virtually not ension on the belt. Kind of hard to tighten it, but I finally got it and it is fine now. I'll have to yell at my friend who changed the timing belt.