Control arm bushing leakage?

[AlfredoGonzalez]

Had a steering issue in my car for a while and still have it unfortunately after taking it to try and fix at the dealer and different garages mutliple times. So I took it another time and noticed a black liquid substance at the right control arm bushing. Not too sure what it is but it could be the reason for the steering issue? But yeah the left bushing is clean in comparision. The movement in both are kinda the same when steering, maybe the right bushing a bit more.

 

[D2M]

I don't think the small bushing on the front arm is oil filled so that probably just some residue from the rubber or road grime, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are having a steering issue have your alignment checked. The alignment on these cars seems to be all over the place from the factory. They basically phone it in..

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

I don't think the small bushing on the front arm is oil filled so that probably just some residue from the rubber or road grime, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are having a steering issue have your alignment checked. The alignment on these cars seems to be all over the place from the factory. They basically phone it in..

Yeah cause its only on the right. I checked allignment 4-5 times.

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

I don't think the small bushing on the front arm is oil filled so that probably just some residue from the rubber or road grime, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are having a steering issue have your alignment checked. The alignment on these cars seems to be all over the place from the factory. They basically phone it in..

Heres the left vs right control arm bushings.

 

[D2M]

Those black rings on ether side of the control arm are not the actual bushings, they are rubber washers that are paced over each side of the bushing. Nissan also puts some lube on the washers ( most likely lithium grease) It may be the residual grease getting squeezed out.

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

Those black rings on ether side of the control arm are not the actual bushings, they are rubber washers that are paced over each side of the bushing. Nissan also puts some lube on the washers ( most likely lithium grease) It may be the residual grease getting squeezed out.

Damn. I really cant find my issue. Took it to many garages and no one has been able to determine what it is. Turning right feels like a camry and left like a sports car.

 

[Koryak]

@AlfredoGonzalez What speeds are you noticing the difference turning? Is it normal left & right in residential neighborhoods or faster canyon carving pushing the suspension?

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

@AlfredoGonzalez What speeds are you noticing the difference turning? Is it normal left & right in residential neighborhoods or faster canyon carving pushing the suspension?

All speeds. Steering to the right is less accurate, less responsive, yes the car does respond to the steering but theres a force feedback deadzone about a couple of degrees turning to the right. Also the steering wheel gets stuck and doesnt fully return to center If i tilt it slightly right and let go before giving gas, whereas the left returns to the center like it normally should. Also theres steering play on uneven roads, and when i let go of the wheel and go over a speedbump, the steering wheel almost always nudges and drops slightly to the right. I already aligned my car, multiple times.

 

[D2M]

Sounds like you have a tight joint somewhere or the steering rack shaft might be slightly bent. Has the car ever been in a accident or a curb hit or gone off road by mistake?

 

[Koryak]

That does sound like front suspension geometry with differences side to side. It might be a problem in the electric power steering assist. If you have access to a safe large dirt area, try the steering with the car rolling in neutral gear with the engine off. The steering will be stiff (high brake force needed too!) but this will rule out any power assist issues. Mechanical play can also be checked with car stationary and steering unlocked and engine off (2nd push of start-stop without steeping on brake for automatic).

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

Something hit the underside of the car on the highway a couple months ago and it hasnt been the same since. I took it for allignment, took it to Nissan and mamy garages. There are no mechanical noises at all, just the steering feel/loosness and play.

Sounds like you have a tight joint somewhere or the steering rack shaft might be slightly bent. Has the car ever been in a accident or a curb hit or gone off road by mistake?

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

That does sound like front suspension geometry with differences side to side. It might be a problem in the electric power steering assist. If you have access to a safe large dirt area, try the steering with the car rolling in neutral gear with the engine off. The steering will be stiff (high brake force needed too!) but this will rule out any power assist issues. Mechanical play can also be checked with car stationary and steering unlocked and engine off (2nd push of start-stop without steeping on brake for automatic).

For eps I checked steering angle sensor and odb check and apparently nothing wrong. But ill try checking for mechanical play once i get the chance.

 

[D2M]

This is not a Z rack but an example pic, they are all similar. That shaft ( #4 ) is the main shaft that sticks out of the sides of the rack and swings left/right that the inner tie rods are attached to. The tolerance is very tight in the rack housing, so if that shaft is just slightly bent it will bind on that side when it slides into the rack. You will not have any electrical faults as it is a mechanical issue. The shaft is usually made of steel but its definitely possible to bend it with an impact. You can try to disconnect both tie rods at the knuckle and steer the rack alone to see if you still feel the bind.

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

This is not a Z rack but an example pic, they are all similar. That shaft ( #4 ) is the main shaft that sticks out of the sides of the rack and swings left/right that the inner tie rods are attached to. The tolerance is very tight in the rack housing, so if that shaft is just slightly bent it will bind on that side when it slides into the rack. You will not have any electrical faults as it is a mechanical issue. The shaft is usually made of steel but its definitely possible to bend it with an impact. You can try to disconnect both tie rods at the knuckle and steer the rack alone to see if you still feel the bind.

Ill try and see but its stupidly annoying. There are no mechanical sounds or any indication or hint of where the issue might be. Not just that, but there arent any visible signs of damage under the car, even after taking it to multiple garages.

 

[Koryak]

I checked my Z's steering rack travel and feel. There is no column lock, at least on the manual trans, so this can be done easily. I found 480 degrees from center to each stop = 2 and 2/3 turns lock-to-lock. Subjectively the Z steering feel isn't as communicative as a 4th gen Miata or Fiat Abarth but not bad for a modern GT car.