OK, First off, this has gotta be a joke right. Why are you posting here?

Nissan never made 2008 Murano . It does not exist.

 

OK, First off, this has gotta be a joke right. Why are you posting here?

Nissan never made 2008 Murano . It does not exist.

I live in Jeddah Saudi Arabia , Nissan dealer is Alhumrani , Nissan didn't made 2008 for USA , but they did for middle east , its really 2007 exept the manufacture date ( for mine is Aug 2008 ) .

Mine is AWD , i hope some one post something about the steering problem

 

It may have been manfactured in 2008 but the model is considered 2009 which is the first---second generation MO ever made---new body.

Anyways, the first gen. MO 03-04 maybe even 05 have a power steering issue...It was as if you have lost the power steering assist when you are moving at the speed of..say parking a car up to 10mph. This was however corrected on the new models after many customer complaints including me. They placed a bigger pump I think--or a more capable one.

MOs are not feather touch as some american cars are. So if you are used to that then this is some change for you. But it is not as heavy as a car without power steering either--like an old tercel.

Did you even test drive this car before you bought it? What was the odo reading again?

Did you check the level and color of the fluid before replacement? Exactly what type of fluid did you replace it with? Are you getting any sound when steering to max left or right?

 

It may have been manfactured in 2008 but the model is considered 2009 which is the first---second generation MO ever made---new body.

Anyways, the first gen. MO 03-04 maybe even 05 have a power steering issue...It was as if you have lost the power steering assist when you are moving at the speed of..say parking a car up to 10mph. This was however corrected on the new models after many customer complaints including me. They placed a bigger pump I think--or a more capable one.

MOs are not feather touch as some american cars are. So if you are used to that then this is some change for you. But it is not as heavy as a car without power steering either--like an old tercel.

Did you even test drive this car before you bought it? What was the odo reading again?

Did you check the level and color of the fluid before replacement? Exactly what type of fluid did you replace it with? Are you getting any sound when steering to max left or right?

Thank you Nitley ,

Actually its the body of 2007 , not the 2009 new body.
the odo was 15 or 25 km when i got it , now its 450 km .
no , didn't test drive.
no sound at all .
Bought the fluid from a nissan dealer , as per him , its the one geinune and expensive compared to other , and problem is there before changing and after changing .
How can i tell if i got the bigger pump or the smaller one ?
Is there any other things to check ?

 

I don't know the practice in buying cars over there but test driving a car is a must before even considering purchase.

It sounds like the car you bought is either totaled/salvaged or someone has messed with the odo reading. How can a used car have so little a mileage? You sure you are not looking at the trip meter reading?

Try to describe in more detail how hard it is to steer the wheel. After 30km it does get lighter right?

Is your alignment straight?

Other than a stiff steering are there any other problems with the car?

It is possible that you have the old/first power steering pump like my '04 awd se. Do some reading on power steering in this forum--the older posts pre'06 and see if it describes your issue or not. Mine only occurs randomly and only for a brief second or two not the entire time you are running from 0-30km--and at very slow speed--during parking usually.

 

I don't know the practice in buying cars over there but test driving a car is a must before even considering purchase.

It sounds like the car you bought is either totaled/salvaged or someone has messed with the odo reading. How can a used car have so little a mileage? You sure you are not looking at the trip meter reading?

Try to describe in more detail how hard it is to steer the wheel. After 30km it does get lighter right?

Is your alignment straight?

Other than a stiff steering are there any other problems with the car?

It is possible that you have the old/first power steering pump like my '04 awd se. Do some reading on power steering in this forum--the older posts pre'06 and see if it describes your issue or not. Mine only occurs randomly and only for a brief second or two not the entire time you are running from 0-30km--and at very slow speed--during parking usually.

You are right ,my mistake of not test drive.
Its not used car , its new from the main and only dealer for Nissan in saudi arabia , it was in stock along with 15 others that did not sell yet , so they made an offer on it in order to start bringing the 2011 Murano .
Iam sure iam reading the odo , not the trip ( its new as i expalined )
Yes , it gets lighter above 25 - 30 km but not much , i still feel i have to excert somepower to turn etc...
Yes, alignment straight .
no other problem what so ever , its nice in every other way .
Is this possible : older pumps for car made in 2008 !!!

thank you for taking your time helping.

 

I don't think that it just has the older pump. That problem was only when turning the wheel back and forth a lot at low speeds, it didn't happen all the time. Basically the problem was that the pump was undersized for the needs of the vehicle, so when making a lot of drastic turns at low speed it couldn't keep up.

I would try to find someone with another MO in your area, or go back to the Nissan dealer and test drive a different MO to see if it feels the same as yours. That's the best way to see if it's "normal" or not.

Maybe your power steering pump isn't working at all? Maybe someone with more knowledge of how it works can chime in and say whether that would cause the problem. Since you bought it new, it should have a full warranty, right? If you can show that it's not normal, they should fix it for free.

The steering on the MO is not very stiff. I find it very responsive at all speeds. But what your describing sounds like a vehicle with NO power steering, where at low speeds it's very hard to turn the wheel but as you get faster and faster it gets better and better. This COULD be as simple as just replacing the power steering pump, if that is indeed the problem.

 

I don't think that it just has the older pump. That problem was only when turning the wheel back and forth a lot at low speeds, it didn't happen all the time. Basically the problem was that the pump was undersized for the needs of the vehicle, so when making a lot of drastic turns at low speed it couldn't keep up.

I would try to find someone with another MO in your area, or go back to the Nissan dealer and test drive a different MO to see if it feels the same as yours. That's the best way to see if it's "normal" or not.

Maybe your power steering pump isn't working at all? Maybe someone with more knowledge of how it works can chime in and say whether that would cause the problem. Since you bought it new, it should have a full warranty, right? If you can show that it's not normal, they should fix it for free.

The steering on the MO is not very stiff. I find it very responsive at all speeds. But what your describing sounds like a vehicle with NO power steering, where at low speeds it's very hard to turn the wheel but as you get faster and faster it gets better and better. This COULD be as simple as just replacing the power steering pump, if that is indeed the problem.

Thank you Corin ,

I will concentrate on the pump now and see .
and yes its under full warranty and will visit the dealer and see .

Thank you all .

 

I agree. Rather than thinking the worst, just drive another one to see if you have a problem.

 

thank you ,

i will try finding another MO to drive abd see.

 

i got scheduled in one week time for the dealer to check the car .

one more question please :

Iam noticing when the car is on , the steering punp oil is like boiling in its container , within the levels but moving like boiling tea in cup , is this normal ?

 

Yes...this is normal. The fluid is being circulated through the container. It's not "boiling" as if it's hot. It's just circulating and will look like it's churning or being stirred.

One thing to keep in mind that the power steering for the MO is indeed a lot stiffer than other vehicles on the market. You can turn the steering wheel on my mother's 2010 Toyota Highlander with your index finger with very little effort. However, the steering wheel on the MO takes a bit more effort to turn. Of course, the steering is not so stiff like a car without power steering.

Keep this in mind when you go to diagnose your power steering issue. If you feel your MO doesn't have power steering at all, then there is definitely a problem. Otherwise, if you feel like it takes a bit more effort to turn the wheel, it may be okay.

Good luck!

 

Yes...this is normal. The fluid is being circulated through the container. It's not "boiling" as if it's hot. It's just circulating and will look like it's churning or being stirred.

One thing to keep in mind that the power steering for the MO is indeed a lot stiffer than other vehicles on the market. You can turn the steering wheel on my mother's 2010 Toyota Highlander with your index finger with very little effort. However, the steering wheel on the MO takes a bit more effort to turn. Of course, the steering is not so stiff like a car without power steering.

Keep this in mind when you go to diagnose your power steering issue. If you feel your MO doesn't have power steering at all, then there is definitely a problem. Otherwise, if you feel like it takes a bit more effort to turn the wheel, it may be okay.

Good luck!

Thank you .

Iam hoping there is a problem to be fixed , if this is normal for MO ( assuming for now ) , is there any way to decrease its stiffness .

 

You know, you have not told us how stiff this thing is. Have you driven an old car without power steering before? Is it similar to that or lighter? You keep saying stiff without any comparison or description to base it with.

 

You know, you have not told us how stiff this thing is. Have you driven an old car without power steering before? Is it similar to that or lighter? You keep saying stiff without any comparison or description to base it with.

Hello nitly ,

I tried to get another MO to test and compare , i couldn't up to now.
When car is idle and turning the wheel , i would say its hard but acceptable in a way .When starting to move and need to make a turn ( at 30 or so ) , i feel its really hard ( i think ) and have to use both hands to excert required power ( could with one hand but harder ).
I drove old car without steering power long time ago , i don't really remember how hard it was to compare .
When coming from a trip home , i feel like i did some excersise with my fingers , not much hurt , but the feel is there .
Also if iam at say 75 km and need to pass a car and change the lane , i would also feel the steering is hard and stiff .

I like very much the MO , i would recommend it to any for many reasons , this is the only thing iam having trouble with : Steering .

best regards ,

 

The faster you go the lighter the steering should be. There must be something wrong with it if you find no difference at higher speed.

I use my two hands when turning most of the time. But getting a strain from it tells me that there is something real wrong with your power steering.... Or you are way out of shape and need to hit the gym.

 

The faster you go the lighter the steering should be. There must be something wrong with it if you find no difference at higher speed.

I use my two hands when turning most of the time. But getting a strain from it tells me that there is something real wrong with your power steering.... Or you are way out of shape and need to hit the gym.

i hope there is something wrong to be fixed .
My thinking is going wild without the knowledge required ( thinking of bigger pump may be )

Thank you .

 

Hello ,

Iam begining to think this is how MO steering , please check this link , and correct me if iam wrong :

" Steering was my one and only beef of the 2009 Nissan Murano’s performance. When driving through tight turns or when parking, I thought the steering was too stiff. I REALLY don’t like when the steering wheel makes me do all the work. If not for the stiff steering, I believe the 2009 Nissan Murano has it all when it comes to overall driving dynamics."

Road Test: 2009 Nissan Murano

 

Well...steering is subjective per person. What I think is a bit hard might be too hard for someone else. I seriously think that there is something wrong now with your MO's steering when you say that you get a workout while driving. Just have the guru's at the dealership give your MO a good look. I bet they'll swap out some components that will make the steering lighten up quite a bit.

Be sure to keep us posted with what they find.

 

Well...steering is subjective per person. What I think is a bit hard might be too hard for someone else. I seriously think that there is something wrong now with your MO's steering when you say that you get a workout while driving. Just have the guru's at the dealership give your MO a good look. I bet they'll swap out some components that will make the steering lighten up quite a bit.

Be sure to keep us posted with what they find.

Sure , i will update you in this on what they find .

 

The effort required to turn the steering wheel is determined by the valves in the power steering hydraulic system. Cars that are more "performance" or "sporty" oriented tend to have a system with higher effort designed in. The result: it takes more effort to turn the steering wheel, but you also get more feel of the road.

This cannot be changed in any reliable way once the vehicle has been designed and built.

If you previously owned a "luxury" car, I would expect the steering effort to be higher in the Murano. If you drive another Murano and it feels similar, then it's operating as designed and you'll need to get used to it. If not, you have reason to ask for repairs.

This shouldn't be a problem unless the steering effort is so high that it's difficult or impossible to turn a corner using one hand. I find that turning a corner while using only one hand (which is very poor driving technique, and something I very seldom do) requires a firm grip in my 2007 Murano.

 

The effort required to turn the steering wheel is determined by the valves in the power steering hydraulic system. Cars that are more "performance" or "sporty" oriented tend to have a system with higher effort designed in. The result: it takes more effort to turn the steering wheel, but you also get more feel of the road.

This cannot be changed in any reliable way once the vehicle has been designed and built.

If you previously owned a "luxury" car, I would expect the steering effort to be higher in the Murano. If you drive another Murano and it feels similar, then it's operating as designed and you'll need to get used to it. If not, you have reason to ask for repairs.

This shouldn't be a problem unless the steering effort is so high that it's difficult or impossible to turn a corner using one hand. I find that turning a corner while using only one hand (which is very poor driving technique, and something I very seldom do) requires a firm grip in my 2007 Murano.

Thank you .

I drove before grand marquis , Acadia , bmw 520 , mercedes 190 , lexus 430 , cheroki , Yukon ,Camry ,Caprice , throughout the years, i even drove hilux toyota in the past , and "never" steering was an issue to me or even came to mind when deciding to buy the MO .
and yes , MO gives the feel of the road , firm and all , however , still hoping somethoing is there to be fixed .

I will update soon .

 

After more thought, I agree with Warhammer - I think perhaps something isn't right. You have driven good vehicles to compare with.

 

If he was driving a rear-wheel car before, and is now driving a front-wheel drive, the wheel will definitely seem heavier and harder to turn, especially at low speeds. Also, if anyone recalls my original situation, I got talked into buying a loaded '03 for a great price, but in the NON-AWD version (which I never test drove because I wanted AWD.) After making the deal and driving off the lot for the first time, I felt MO was all over the place when driving, that I couldn't control it very easily, and that the wheel was constantly fighting me and was heavy. I brought it back, too a small price hit in returning it, then bought my stripped down AWD MO and it felt like I was driving a luxury vehicle. It was very responsive, more controllable and the steering wheel wasn't fighting me and moved with ease.

I believe someone here said the extra weight of the rear axle and transfer case made made MO more centered by taking some of the weight off the front wheels. Made all the difference in the world going from strictly FWD to AWD. Weight distributing was better and MO didn't feel like she was plowing into corners.

 

Update

hello ,

Just to update you on my problem with the steering and conclusion i got from the mechanics at the dealer here :

- No avaliable Murano to test drive and compare , i would need anothr appotiment for that , they have other customers MO's ( 2 ) , but they are lifted up and under maintenance work now .

- 2 of the machanics tested my MO and i swear its like they are reading this thread , some of what they said :
- this is normal
- MOs are not feather touch as some american cars .
- Steering pump is working fine ( they emptied and refilled its oil just to be sure they say )
- MO is indeed a lot stiffer than other vehicles , but for a reason : sporty , responsive ,controllable , designed this way etc...
- steering is subjective
so , they did the 1000 km service and off i go with a promise for a call back to test drive another MO just for my peace of mind they say .

May be i should get used to it , or sell .

Thank you for all your efforts in here .

 

Well...at least they were able to confirm our thoughts. If you do see another MO out there, you might want to ask for a test drive. Maybe that will help to resolve your concerns.

At the very least, you'll be stronger upstairs for your "mate" due to the constant workout while driving. There are benefits to everything right?!?!? LOL...

 

It sounds like after the dealer tested this out, that this is just the normal steering effort for the Murano. I agree, its not feather light (like a grand marquis, camry, yukon, or many of the other cars you've driven - although your european cars should have had more weighed steering). Now, even the stiffest power steering shouldn't fatigue the arm when driving, though. Did you try driving other Nissans on the lot to see how they feel? Maybe pick an even sportier Nissan like the 370Z, and give it a test drive - surely that has even stiffer steering. If test driving the 370Z feels "lighter", then there is definitely something wrong with your MO. Otherwise, it sounds like you are just adjusting to a vehicle with a more heavily weighed steering.

 

In my 07 the steering is great out on the road but in parking lots it's much harder to turn than I would like. There is no way I could steer through a parking lot with just 1 hand. It would have been nice to have some speed proportional steering.