Nissan Xterra Steering wheel feels loose Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(686)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(686)

Steering wheel feels loose Inspection Service

How much does a Steering wheel feels loose Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Nissan Xterra Steering wheel feels loose Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2004 Nissan XterraV6-3.3LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2011 Nissan XterraV6-4.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2013 Nissan XterraV6-4.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2001 Nissan XterraV6-3.3LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2015 Nissan XterraV6-4.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2005 Nissan XterraV6-4.0LService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2002 Nissan XterraV6-3.3L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2003 Nissan XterraV6-3.3L TurboService typeSteering wheel feels loose InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Nissan Xterra Steering wheel feels loose Inspection prices

A steering wheel that feels loose or has “play” in it prevents the driver form getting an accurate interpretation of how the wheels are turned. Any steering setup where you can move the wheel more than one to one and a half inches without moving the wheels is too lose and may have an issue. When the steering wheel feels loose it can be difficult from drivers to accurately know the position of the front wheels. This lack of responsiveness can be dangerous for drivers, especially in heavy traffic or winding roads.

How this system works:

The majority of modern vehicles use two different kinds of steering setup to help control the movement of the car. Rack and pinion steering is typically used on cars, small trucks and SUVs, while recirculating-ball steering is used on large SUVs and trucks. The similarities and differences in the two systems begin to manifest themselves when components fail, causing the steering wheel to feel loose.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Worn Tie Rods: Tie rods serve as the driver’s connection between the steering unit and the tires. Tie rods are present in both rack and pinion and recirculating ball setups. If tie rod ends become worn, they may cause the steering wheel to feel loose. A vehicle with worn tie rods may also squeak as the steering wheel is turned and be out of alignment.

  • Worn Pitman Arm: A pitman arm is only present in vehicles with recirculating-ball steering. The pitman arm connects a gear attached to the steering wheel to the steering rack itself. When the pitman arm becomes worn or the teeth in the gear connecting the pitman arm begin to slip, it can cause the steering wheel to feel loose.

  • Worn Ball Joint: Ball joints connect the vehicle’s wheel hubs to the rest of the suspension components. Depending on the vehicle, one or two ball joints per wheel and may or may not be load bearing. A ball joint that is worn may cause the steering to feel loose and may also create a banging sound, especially when going over bumps.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the reason for the loose-feeling steering. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report outlining the reason for the loose steering and the cost of any repairs that need to be made.

How it's done:

When the mechanic arrives, he or she will first lift the vehicle and remove the wheels so that they can better access the suspension and steering components. From here, the mechanic will be able to assess the reason why the steering has become loose.

If the mechanic suspects that worn tie rods may be the issue, he or she will inspect the tie rod for superficial damage. If the tie rod end had become worn or loose, the mechanic will remove it and replace it with a new one. The mechanic will also ensure after installation, that the new tie rod end is properly lubricated.

If the mechanic believes that the pitman arm has become worn, he or she will remove the pitman arm from the track bar and replace it with a new pitman arm. The mechanic should ensure that the new part is properly tightened.

If the mechanic suspects worn ball joints, he or she will remove the control arm(s) in order to access the faulty ball joint. He or she will then remove the old ball joint and replace it with a new one. The mechanic should also ensure that the new ball joint is properly lubricated in order to ensure longer life.

In the case of all repairs the mechanic will make sure that all the new parts have been installed correctly and are properly lubricated. In order to ensure that the steering is working properly, the mechanic may test drive the vehicle to check for excess play.

How important is this service?

A steering wheel that feels loose may not be giving an accurate indication of the front wheel’s position. Loose-feeling steering may also indicate that a problem has occurred with the steering unit or suspension. If you notice that the steering does not seem to be as responsive, you should stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected by a mechanic.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Nissan mechanics

Real customer reviews from Nissan owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(686)

Rating Summary
639
21
6
7
13
639
21
6
7
13

Cary

27 years of experience
92 reviews
Cary
27 years of experience
Nissan Xterra V6-4.0L - Camshaft Position Sensor - Cary, North Carolina
Cary showed up early to the appointment and was very professional. He was cool with me watching while he performed the repairs and was done within the hour.

Jesus

12 years of experience
19 reviews
Jesus
12 years of experience
Nissan Xterra V6-3.3L - Coolant is leaking - San Antonio, Texas
Great guy! Knows what he is doing and goes above and beyond

Oscar

16 years of experience
138 reviews
Oscar
16 years of experience
Nissan Xterra V6-3.3L - Oil Change - Houston, Texas
Oscar was. Wonderful. He kept communication open before, during and after repair. Got some good we'll maintenance advise as well. Many thanks Oscar.

Eugenio

26 years of experience
133 reviews
Eugenio
26 years of experience
Nissan Xterra V6-4.0L - Radiator - Lorton, Virginia
Outstanding service! Extremely knowledgeable and would recommend him in the future!

Excellent Rating

(686)

Rating Summary
639
21
6
7
13
639
21
6
7
13
Number of Nissan Xterra services completed
7546+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Nissan MECHANICS
1500+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

P0112 OBD-II Trouble Code: IAT Sensor Circuit Low Input Problem
P0112 P0112 code definition Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor circuit low input problem What the P0112 code means P0112 is the OBD-II generic code that the engine control module (ECM) has recorded the IAT sensor input below the expected sensor...
Windshield Laws in Indiana
If If you drive on Indiana roads, you already know that you are required to follow a variety of traffic rules. In addition to the traffic laws, motorists are also required to make sure that their windshields are in compliance...
How to Drive Cross Country
Driving cross country (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/5-essential-things-to-know-before-driving-on-country-roads) is a fun and exciting way to spend vacation time, especially when traveling with family. But before setting out on your epic journey, you need to keep in mind a few factors. You need to fully...

What does the Cal message mean?

The Cal message can appear on your driver information center (DIC). When the DIC displays this alert, it means that the DIC compass needs to be calibrated. If this alert is accompanied by three dashes, then your compass is not...

I'm having electrical problems, 1995 Buick Riviera

With so many electrical problems, I would start by checking the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-check-a-car-battery) first. A poor or corroded connection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-clean-battery-terminal-connections-on-a-car) here can cause a world of problems. Have the same technician hook jumper cables to the car and pull fault...

clear/replace EGR valve

Hello, thank you for writing in. For exact specifications on tools needed and a step by step procedure, you will need to access a service manual for the vehicle. Typically you would expect to use a 12 mm socket or...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com