I am experience my 2003 Murano steering is feel hard now a days.
What can be the reason? What should I check?
Pl help

Have you noticed any leak? Assuming that you already checked the fluid level.

 

ak19-

Are you still running the original belts? If so, the power steering belt may be slipping which can cause hard steering.

-njjoe

 

Check your power steering fluid level to make sure it's ok.
Then have your belt checked on your power steering pump to make sure that it's not slipping.
The other thing that can make steering slightly harder is worn out under-inflated tires.

 

Check the power steering fluid level. I recently had a leak of my power steering high pressure hose - a $600 repair! If the fluid is low, top it off and have a mechanical check it over for leaks. If you drive without fluid, it will ruin the power steering pump, a costlier repair.

 

Thanks Guys for quick input.

How to and where to check fluid level and belt?

Is this some thing I can do or I should go to dealer?

Can any good mechanic can do this or I should only go to dealer.

Thanks

 

How to and where to check fluid level and belt?

Is this some thing I can do or I should go to dealer?

Can any good mechanic can do this or I should only go to dealer.

The power steering fluid reservoir is clearly labeled (on the cap) and is located - at least on my 04 - directly behind the coolant overflow tank. It has cold min/max and hot min/max level markings. You don't need a dealer nor any mechanic to check the PS fluid level.

The belt is a little tougher to see, and I'm not sure if you could visually tell if it was slipping. You should be able to see it turning, however, if you look hard enough down around the front (passenger side) of the engine.

 

Standing in front of your car with the hood open, the power steering fluid reservoir is on the passenger side closest to the windshield. Moving forward down the passenger side towards the nose of the car, you have the coolant reservoir and then the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

The power steering fluid is red color and you should be able to read the level by looking at the side of the transparent container. If the fluid is low, I suggest you immediately buy a bottle and refill it if you don't have time to visit the mechanic. Even if its low and you have to add fluid, take it to a mechanic anyways since its leaking somewhere and you don't want an expensive component like the steering pump or pressure hose to break.

 

Power steering oil

Thanks Guys,

I checked and find power steering oil little below “minimum mark at cold” level.

When I go for oil change dealer will top this up or I am required to separately pay for it.
I am thinking to top up and drive for some time and keep watch to see any leak is there or no?

Can my self by from some Auto zone etc and top up.
Can some body suggest what kind of oil number or make I should buy?

Thanks

 

Re: Power steering oil

When I go for oil change dealer will top this up or I am required to separately pay for it.
Can my self by from some Auto zone etc and top up.
Can some body suggest what kind of oil number or make I should buy?

You can go to Autozone and tell them you need some power steering fluid and they will provide you with the right one.

You can top it up yourself and save the hassle of having the dealer do it.

 

Are you hearing any kind of whining noise when you go to turn your steering wheel? It's unmistakeable and you can't miss it.

I doubt that you're power steering will go if you have fluid on the low mark. It takes a lot of missing fluid for your power steering pump to stop working. Missing fluid will usually result in a very distinct whining noise.

If I were you, I would look under the hood at the power steering pulley and have someone turn your steering. The only logical explanation is the belt is slipping on the pulley. If your buddy goes to turn the steering wheel, and you notice the power steering pulley stop or slow down, there's your issue. It should be a simple matter of retensioning the belt to get your power back.

On the other hand, maybe the rack or the pump itself is starting to go. Hard to tell without seeing it myself.

 

All of the above comments are true, BUT in the case of 2003 and somewhere into the following year or two, there was an issue with a slow reacting PS pump that made steering heavy or stiff at times. THis especially occurred at low speed manuevering such as parking. Our 2003 definitely had it. Magazine reviewers complained about it. I don't know when exactly Nissan fixed this. A low fluid level could magnify this. It is fully possible this is normal for your car. If topping up the reservoir doesn't help, or if you're unsure, let the dealer check it. My wife's 2009 has no such problems anymore. Kyle

 

The low steering boost issue affected 2003-2004 Muranos. It was addressed in 2005+ models. It only happens when you turn the steering wheel close to full lock at low speeds - i.e. it "runs out of" boost, not lacks boost from the start.

 

Yes that’s true it happen only at turning at low speed, parking, back up with turn etc.

Dealer is asking for $ 94 for investigate. His mechanic drive he said it looks ok to me.

2003 -04 problem are Nissan fixing that issue as recall or some thing like that?

Where I can find more details around that?

Thanks for your help

 

Yes that’s true it happen only at turning at low speed, parking, back up with turn etc.

Dealer is asking for $ 94 for investigate. His mechanic drive he said it looks ok to me.

2003 -04 problem are Nissan fixing that issue as recall or some thing like that?

Where I can find more details around that?

Thanks for your help

Nissan has never acknowledged it as an issue and there is no recall, unfortunately.

The diagnostic fee at the dealership is unavoidable. Any shop will charge some sort of labor time to check out the problem.

 

Sounds to me like you're stuck with the issue unless you want to exchange the power steering pump and the rack to that of an 05.

I have an 04SL and only ran into this once when turning the wheel quickly while idling. I'm a very laid back driver and don't turn the steering wheel quick anyway.

Do you turn the steering wheel quickly all the time?

 

That happened to me a couple of times while changing lanes very quickly to avoid another car. It went fine in one direction but felt as if it was locked up on the return steering, nearly causing a collision with another vehicle. I would say it is a safety issue and I filed a compliant with NHTSA but Nissan has not done anything about it. As long as you are aware of it, it should not be a great problem.

 

I have a 2007 MO and had a really really hard Steering and found my fluid leaking slowly. I went to the mechanic and he found that my pressure hose to the pump was damaged and he replaced it. This happened 3 weeks ago.
Now it is still hard to turn (not as bad as b4) but hard. You would hope the mechanic would have checked the slipping in the pump? Should I go back to him and raise some cane?

 

I would highly recommend returning to the mechanic with the issue to have him look at it again since they did the work. Hold off with the cane(for now) until he can confirm with you what the issue might be. There may be some other things going on but definately follow up ASAP.:4:

 

If its not leaking and you are not low on fluid, there is only one explaination - the pump isn't generating enough boost. I'd check for a loose/slipping belt before replacing the pump. Might even try replacing the belt first (since it has to removed anyways, a new belt is a $15 part) before replacing the pump.

 

So, the steering is hard at all times unlike before all the problem arise right? And you don't hear any weird sounds when turning left or right? What fluid did he use?

 

Happened to my MO too with no reason last week, humming sound, low brake fluid, and hard steering..... alas, busted Rack and Pinion. $$$$
Dealer inspected it and yes rack and pinion need to be replaced. The part new from Nissan cost $1020 and ended paying $1900 canadian including tax. 8-(
I don't want to go with aftermarket or rebuild.

I think you have the same problem like mine too.