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Stiff Steering 2014 Q50

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4.9K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Matej123  
#1 · (Edited)
Hello
Took a 2014 Q50 for a test drive today and found the steering very stiff. To be precise when making a minor steering adjustment on a straight road the wheel did not spin freely back to the center . Instead, it would stay on that slight left turn (as though some component was needing greased) until I "steered" it back to center. As a result I was constantly making small steering inputs.

I mentioned it to the salesman in the back seat and he said that's because it's AWD and all such cars are like that. I just didn't believe him.

When I returned to my own car it was so noticeable that the wheel reverts to center due to wheel caster.

Anyone understand what I'm on about? Is this normal?

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Sounds like the caster is out-of-adjustment. What about the road surface itself? Was it crowned or rutted significantly such that it could affect handling? Tires?

Anyway, I'd stay away from that particular vehicle (i.e. don't buy it) until it's rectified or just pick a different one. Not all Q50s handle like that.
 
#3 ·
is that your first Nissan/Infiniti?

A lot of people do like that precise slightly stiff feel

Oh, and don't forget that dealershits underinflate tires to inhibit false feeling of smoothness that results in poor control, not to mention that they don't care about having equal pressure in all tires
 
#5 ·
Silly question - were you in a Q50 with traditional steering or steer by wire?
.
 
#7 ·
Sorry, I missed that... sounds like it may be the Infiniti/Nissan steering that seems heavier....
.
 
#9 ·
Recommend going back to the dealership and test drive a different AWD and then try a 2wd. Maybe this will help you get a better understanding of each drive train characteristics.

Comparing DAS to non DAS, non DAS does not feel as precise to me and is stiffer to turn.

Unlike some who do not like DAS, I have on my car and think it's an awesome technology. Test drive a car that has it, remember it's free to look.

Then decide for yourself what you like. I seldom care what others think about what I buy, it's my money and I have to live with my decision.

Please post back your observations if you decide to go back and look some more.
 
#11 ·
I know it's an old topic but i wonder if anyone has the same problem?
I bought a few weeks ago 2014 q50, non-DAS, 2.2d and steering feels as here described.
I like stiff feeling (like hydraulic powered steering) but it annoys me that the steering wheel does not return freely to the center. I previously owned a 2017 mercedes c coupe and compared to mercedes steering feels even more precise but still somehow strange.
I would describe it as a bad caster angle
although I did the alignment and nothing is out of spec.