coachk22

Wondering if anyone has had this problem? starting right at 70 mph and lasting to about 85mph is a very bad vibration, coming thru the gearshift(manual), gearshift actually bounces, I can feel the vibration in my butt as well but not at all thru steering wheel. Just put new wheels(20's) and tires and also new tein coilovers, but the problem started before this with oe wheels and tires. Nissan dealer documented vibration and said they thought it was bc I needed tires, which now I have and the vibration is still there, exact same spot. Had car aligned and do not think it is balance of wheels, bc the viration occured with two different sets of wheels and tires. Taking car back in tomm, just wondering if anyone has any ideas? Thanks

coachk22

Dealer says carbon fiber drive shaft is so light that weights have to be welded to them for balance from the factory, told me my problem was that somehow one of these weights came off, causing the driveline/transmission shake. This makes sense. Does anyone have any feed back on this? They are replacing my drive shaft. Thanks

BRONZEE

If it helps at all, I've got an 04 Tiptronic, had my driveshaft replaced 10 months ago, because of bad harmonic vibration. Occured through all ranges in my 350, but worse obviously as the speed increases. If it is a similar case, if you're on a very smooth road, travelling under 15kms, you should be able to isolate where the vibration is coming from.

My 350 had no vibration in the steering wheel, just through the seat, the firewall and gear lever. My 350 has been very mechanically challenged for a long time, aside from the driveshaft, and is probably a different scenario to yours, I hope.

Good luck and keep us posted.

coachk22

Did the driveshaft replacement help the vibration? Sounds a lot like what I have goin on, really annoying because the vibration seems to be the worst right at 70-75, highway cruising speeds , of course? Thanks for the info.

kevin8086

iTrader: (5)

bad u joints??

BRONZEE

Bad universal joint, causing harmonic vibration was the reason for replacement.

OP have you/or have you had a mechanic drop the driveshaft out to investigate?? If the UJ is excessively notchy/not moving freely, this could possibly explain the vibration your experiencing. I took my Z to a few highly recommended mechanical workshops and a driveshaft expert and had it documented and took it back to Nissan. Dropping a driveshaft out doesn't take long at all. Depends if you're still under warranty or not????

It took the replacement driveshaft, only 2 weeks to get back to the same state as the previous one. As I say my poor Z has quite a number of mechanical problems, been battling for a long time to have them fixed, so no, not fixed. Very disappointing to say the least. It's a rather oversized paperweight.

Definitely hope your Z is a different scenario.

BRONZEE

PS. I've also a couple of months ago changed out the original axle assembly too, because of "unusal axial looseness". Check out your workshop manual if you have one, or get a copy from the other big Amercian 350z technical website. Can't put the link up as this forum blocks the URL.

coachk22

Thanks for the input guys. I did have my driveshaft replaced and it did not fix the vibration. The Nissan dealer said they have escalated the problem to the nissan north america techs to see what they recommend.
My car has 26k miles and is still under full warranty so I hope to get the problem fixed. I am going to ask them about the universal joint tomm, see what they say.

BRONZEE

Keep us posted Coach, very interested to see what happens.

merlin3

iTrader: (4)

I get a vibration starting around 80-85 and I am guessing it is either a driveshaft or wheels out of balance problem. Haven't had a chance to have it looked at as I don't know of a shop to trust with this type of work.

coachk22

If the vibration is in the steering wheel, then it may be a tire balancing issue.Any reputable tire/whel shop should be able to balance your wheels for a decent cost. My vibration comes directly thru the mt gearshift and a little in my seat, but my steering wheel does not have any vibration. I ran my car up to about 130, just to see and it is as smoth as silk all the way. still just that damn 75mph vibration. So I did pass along the universal joint recommendation, waiting to see what I hear back!

BRONZEE

Merlin, reckon Coach is on to it. Merlin has your Z per chance had an alignment lately??

slowxturtle

iTrader: (3)

maybe it's simple as a tire balancing.

merlin3

iTrader: (4)

I don't really get any steering wheel vibration it is mainly just the gear shift shaking/vibrating.

coachk22

Well, if it is just in gearshift, then it may be the same problem i am having, because I am 100% for certain that my vibration is not coming from a balance or alignment issue. I spent about 20 minutes yesterday with my Nissan service advisor, we have cmae to the conclusion that we need to take the next step and replace the transmission, it is now on order.Hopefully this will take care of the problem, I will let everyone know asap.

project.dwnshft

iTrader: (2)

I too am a new Z owner just got my 05 4 months ago....and like u i noticed within the past month or so that the shifter does in fact shake in the higher speeds, also tends to shift around when speeding up and slowing down(this may be normal im not to sure) like u i feel the vibration on the **** as well as in my seat and immediatly thought wheel balance. now seeing this post i may accually go back to goodyear and have them rebalance the rear wheels and see if this helps if not ill go to the dealer

coachk22

May be outta balance in case? Does the vibration continue or get worse as the speed rises? In my case, the vibration has occured with two different sets of wheels and tires, at exactly the same point, 72-80 mph. So I know my issue is not in any balance of wheels. In your case though whels balance is easy and cheap and prob the culprit. I would also check alignment, Z been known to get outta whack out back!!!