Steering wheel appears loose

Tiny
GOLUIITR
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 NISSAN ROGUE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
Hi,

I have the vehicle listed above SV 2012. Its steering wheel appears to be slightly loose at the bottom of connection while turning and while applying brakes. Can anybody suggest me what could be wrong?

Thanks in advance!
Thursday, September 30th, 2021 AT 2:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

If you are referring to the steering shaft feeling loose, there are two shaft couplers that are basic universal joints. They can fail and have excessive play.

Here is what I need you to do. I attached two pics below and highlighted the two couplers. The lower one attaches to the rack and pinion. Locate the two couplers and with the engine off, turn the steering wheel back and forth to see if there is excessive play in the joint.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, September 30th, 2021 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
GOLUIITR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Joe, Thanks for your reply. I just tried to diagnose the problem as advised by you. I found excess play at the lower coupler of Steering column (No. 3 as per pictures attached by you). Is there any way to tighten it without removing the column? Thanks a bunch!
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

If the play is in the joint, you can't adjust it. The intermediate steering shaft will need to be replaced. The joint works like a universal joint, allowing the connection to flex. Once there is excessive wear, it needs to be replaced.

It's been a while since I've done one on this vehicle. There should be a bolt at each end of the intermediate shaft. If I recall, you can loosen it on both ends and there should be enough play to push it upwards enough to remove it.

I attached a pic below and highlighted where the bolts are. See if you can locate both.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 AT 5:56 PM

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