Nissan Primera (P12): Steering System Inspection and Check

Part numbers are from the manufacturer's original catalogue. Check them against your VIN before ordering.

• Lift or inspection pit
• jack and jack stands
• flashlight
• pry bar
• ruler
• wrenches for checking tightness (usually 14, 17, 19 mm)
• socket for the wheel nuts

1. Park the car on level ground with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Check the tire pressure and tread condition. Uneven wear on the edges or feathering (a "saw-tooth" pattern) points to camber/toe problems or worn tie rod ends or tie rods.
2. Check the steering wheel free play. With the engine running, gently rock the steering wheel back and forth until the wheels begin to turn. The total free play is normally acceptable up to about 5-10 mm at the rim, which is roughly in line with typical passenger car limits. More than that means wear in the rack, tie rods, tie rod ends, or steering shaft.
3. Check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir. The reservoir is in the engine compartment. Read the level against the MIN/MAX marks on the reservoir (or on the cap dipstick, if there is one), whether the fluid is hot or cold. The fluid should be clean, with no dark discoloration, foam, or burnt smell. Foam indicates air in the system. Darkening or metal particles indicate wear in the pump or rack.
4. Inspect the accessory drive belt and the power steering pump. The belt should not be cracked, oily, glazed, or visibly sagging. A slipping belt causes heavy steering when cold and a squeal when turning to full lock.
5. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times while stationary. The wheel should turn smoothly, without jerks, sticking, or binding. Listen for it: a groan or whine from the pump, especially at full lock, indicates low fluid, air in the system, or a worn pump. A knock from the rack area when turning indicates a worn rack or worn mounts.
6. Raise the front wheels on a lift, or with a jack and place the car on jack stands. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
7. Check wheel play side to side: grip the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and rock it. Noticeable play and knocking point to a tie rod end or the tie rod itself. If a helper rocks the steering wheel while you place a hand on the tie rod end joint, you can feel the play with your fingers.
8. Check wheel play up and down, at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Play here more often means a worn ball joint or wheel bearing rather than a steering component. This matters so you do not confuse the causes.
9. Inspect the tie rod end boots and the rack boots. They should be intact and flexible, with no tears, no grease leaking out, and no dirt inside. Replace a torn boot right away, before the wear reaches the part itself.
10. Check the steering rack and power steering hoses for leaks. Inspect the hose connections, the high-pressure line, both ends of the rack housing under the boots, and the pump. Wet marks and dripping fluid are not acceptable. Light dustiness without a wet sheen is usually acceptable.
11. Check the mounting of the steering rack to the body or subframe, and the tightness of the tie rods. Try to move the rack by hand or with a pry bar using light force: there should be no movement. If any fasteners are loose, tighten them to the manufacturer's specified torque. The exact value for this model is not documented in publicly available sources, so do not tighten by feel and do not use cheater bars.
12. Inspect the lower part of the steering shaft and the universal joint near the firewall: play and knocking when rocking the steering wheel may come from the steering shaft joint. No play should be felt in the joint.
13. Lower the car and take a test drive. Check that the car does not pull to one side when driving straight, that the steering wheel returns to center by itself after a turn, and that there is no knocking over bumps and no vibration in the steering wheel.
14. If play or wear was found during the inspection, have the toe and camber adjusted on an alignment machine after replacing any steering part. Setting toe with a ruler is not recommended for long-term use.

• The steering system is a safety system
• If you are not sure how to judge the play, or you find leaks, torn boots, or noticeable play in the tie rod ends or joints, do not put off the repair and take the car to a repair shop
• A failed tie rod end can lead to loss of control
• After replacing any steering or suspension parts, always have the wheel alignment checked on an alignment machine