Rag Joint Question

[Krokus_01Xterra]

Hello,


I am another newbie here, just joined over the weekend. My Xterra is an 01 4x4 V6 Automatic with 198,000 miles and all stock except for the PML which I absolutly wish was never done.

I have a question about the Rag Joint on the Steering Shaft and was wondering if anyone has had this issue with theirs. I can pull the steeering wheel towards me about an eighth of an inch. Going down rough roads it makes a clunking noise and I can feel the steering shaft moving.
I opened the hood and had a friend pull the wheel and I noticed movement where the rag joint is.
I tried tightening the four bolts but it didn't help.

Is the rag joint serviceable? Can I cut a tire sidewall like I have done on other, older vehicles and
make my own, or does it need to be a Nissan part? I am kind of worried that that shaft rattling may cause the air bag to explode in my face.

Thanks for reading this....

Kenn
Tomales, California

 

[Muadeeb]

Sorry about your troubles. The play in your steering wheel, while I won't call it normal, isn't dangerous either. The airbag computer is located behind the cup holders, under the center console. The wiring for the airbag leaves the wheel itself in that giant hump between the dash and the wheel, so there's no danger in your motion setting off the bag.

Have you checked the slip joints and where the steering column mounts to the body? A PML would have no impact on the steering, other than needing a alignment as you only crank the torsion bars to lift the front and change the shackles on the back. A BL on the other hand...

 

[Krokus_01Xterra]

Thanks for easing my mind about the air bag. There is no BL on my X, so the steering should have never been messed with, I guess it's crawl under the dash and see if something is loose down there that I may have over looked. The play in the steering shaft has bugged me so much, I actually have let the vehicle sit for a year.

I like the Xterra except for two problems, the steering wheel play and the fact my Overdrive Button doesn't work. Both are more of a nuisance to me than they would be to other people I guess...

Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Prime]

Mine had a recall or TSB done on the steering shaft. Maybe run it by the stealership and have them run your VIN?

 

[Krokus_01Xterra]

Mine had a recall or TSB done on the steering shaft. Maybe run it by the stealership and have them run your VIN?

Thanks Prime, I had a recall a few years ago done on the lower steering shaft. The shaft now has play behind the nut in the image above. I will take it apart this weekend, who knows, maybe something is amiss. I did let my brother borrow the Xterra for about a year, who knows what he put it through.