2005 g35 sedan AT 130,000 miles.
Hi everyone. I hope everyone here is doing good. I previously owned this vehicle then I gave it to my son when he started driving almost 5 years ago. I helped him keep the maintenance up so I feel the car is in great shape overall. We (kids and I) went on vacation but we drove from Tucson to Phoenix (about 100 miles) in my sons car to catch a cheaper flight. On the way back I drove it on the freeway for the first time in a couple of years. I right away noticed the steering wheel had a slight play before it engaged the steering. I was not so much to cause concern but never the less annoying, especially doing 85+ on the freeway. Today we were doing a routine oil change and I told him to move the steering wheel but just the play to see if I could notice anything. I thought it was going to be some worn-out tie rods or the support clamps of the rack & pinion..but no. The play I was feeling is literally the rack & pinion itself. I was able to grab the "u-joint" from the steering where it hooks up to the rack & pinion (see video) and move it without the movement being transferred to the tires. Is this normal? It's been so long since I drove it last that I can't remember being any play. mind that the rack & pinion looks ok from the outside (no leaks or torn boots). Thank you for taking your time to read this.

 

There should not be that play inside the R&P, you sure it wasn't moving the rod ends at all ESPECIALLY the inner rod ends?

Probably a worn R&P but definitely check both the inner and outer tie rod ends because those are far more likely to cause that kind of play. Since I can hear a clacking noise when you do that it makes me think it's the inner rod ends.

The easiest way to check for rod end play is to have someone else hold the steering wheel completely steady (or use a ratchet strap and tie from the bottom of the steering wheel down around the brake pedal) while you grab a wheel and try to turn it left right. Make sure to check both sides.

 

Thank you for your reply! No...as I stated there is no movement whatsoever transferred to the tie rods when I did that what you saw on the video (btw no inner ties just outer). Suspension is good and when grabbing the tire there is really no play. Tie rods where replaced about 5 years back but they don't "feel" loose and the boot is intact...but that's pretty much irrelevant since they not moving at all when I do that. If there is that much play in the R&P that means is bad then?

 

Ok if there is no other play at the inner rod ends then there is a gap developing between the pinion gear and the rack gear. On the opposite side of the pinion gear (the worm drive gear that the steering shaft connects to) will be a large adjustment nut that puts pressure on the rack gear (the one that goes through the R&P from side to side and connects to your inner rod ends) pushing it harder up against the pinion.

It's EXTREMELY unlikely that the nut has backed itself off, it's probably just age/wear related. But you can apply more pressure to lessen the gap by screwing that adjustment nut in.

Normally this is done with the rack removed because there is an exact preload just like any other pinion gear and you use an inch/lb beam style torque wrench. However I would just turn the nut while wiggling the input shaft and tighten it up just a tad more than needed to make that play go away. You will know if you went too tight because it makes the steering wheel harder to turn.

If you have to screw that nut in more than 2 full turns (unlikely) then you should probably just buy a new or rebuilt R&P. I'm betting you can mesh those gears up nicely with about 1 turn.

 

Also, yes there are inner tie rod ends, they're under the boot and they screw into the rack gear. Typically you always replace inner and outer rod ends at the same time because both will wear.

Here is a link to the inner rod ends on Z1, they have the Nissan part number listed if you need to pick them up locally.

https://www.z1motorsports.com/power-...oaAn-7EALw_wcB

 

Forgot to post the pic of the adjustment nut on the R&P, here it is.

 

I always wondered what that nut was for. I will definitely try it out just like you say but even it it does tighten it up I'm gonna have to replace it to feel safe for my son. Pardon my ignorance...didn't know there was a set of inner tie rods inside the boot...do they come with the R&P if I were to replace it or is always a separate buy?
Thank you very much for all this valuable information!!!

 

The inners are USUALLY included in a rebuilt or new R&P. Basically if it's got the boots on it then you have the inner rods already attached.

The R&P needing adjustment isn't a safety issue as long as you can make that adjustment without needing to turn in the nut more than 2 complete turns. The pinion is what usually wears and it just needs that little bit of slack taken up usually. Those things have a VERY VERY long life and it's almost always a seal failing that causes fluid to leak that ends up being the reason why you would replace it.

The ONLY time I've ever seen pinion/rack gear wear that I felt was unsafe is a unit that's been rebuilt several times. If you're on the OEM unit then it's almost definitely not a safety concern if it just needs some adjustment.

Heck if you buy a rebuilt unit all they do is put new seals in it and readjust the preload, they do NOT replace the pinion or rack gears on a rebuild.

 

You're inner tie rods are most likely toast. With the front in the air, grab the front and rear of the tires and try some quick moves like you're trying to turn the wheel, see if you can feel the same slop.

 

You can unwind that metal wire on the inboard edge and pull the boot back so you can actually watch the inner rods to check for play.

I usually just jack up the front, then set the opposite tire on a block of wood or drive-up stand then grab the opposite wheel that's in the air and turn it left/right and see if there's any play.

 

Definitely going to check the inner ties, just to make sure they are not worn. The R&P is not OEM. I replaced it like almost 8 years ago because the OEM one started leaking. My son started driving it like 6 years ago. Its weird that I didn't noticed that play when I first replaced it...that's why I was a bit concerned. I still haven't had a chance to adjust that nut. We have offsetting schedules my son and I. Hopefully this weekend so i can let you know. I really want to thank you again for all this info!