alright, i have a 96 maxima GLE that vibrates like hell. i can rebuild engines, swap transmissions in 1 car garages, build turbo charger systems and install stand-alone ECU's and do pretty much anything, but this problem i can't seem to cure or figure out what is causing it

bad vibration of the the steering wheel at highway speeds. steering wheel just shakes back and forth. really quick small constant vibration of the wheel back and forth

my first thought is unbalanced wheels.
it doesn't really make any noises like it would if something was lose.

car tracks straight, so it isn't the alignment. no clicking or anyother sounds that would lead me to believe it is a suspension problem.

anyone have other ideas? it drives me nuts, and driving 90 miles a day, i get a little sick of it.

i figured this is the best place to ask.. most of the maxima guys are worthless in questions like this.

thanks

Brandon

 

Sounds like unbalanced wheels.

Make sure you get a GOOD balance, and not a single plane counterbalance.

I got my Z's wheels balanced on a Hunter dual plane centerline balance machine, and its great!

Also, check to make sure the lugs are tight and the wheels are centered on the hub (more than likely hubcentric)

Good Luck!

 

thanks.... that is what my guess was as well. time to try and find the time to get a good balace place. i got these tires at farm and fleet (hell they were cheap, it is only a maxima and the were only $40) drive 24,000 miles a year, i don't need to spend big money on tires. i already did that with my mr2s where i would drop $250 a tire and go through the in 8-10 miles depending on how many races i did. (less if i did a lot of them and altered my alignment and suspension set up for the track).
so i dont need ot hear about crappy tires... i bought these because of the way i go through them, and all my driving is highway miles so i don't need decent handling ones (did i just say decent handling and maxima in the same post? haha)

time to go find a real tire place and get them balanced

thanks again, i just wanted to confirm my suspicions

 

Brandon,

Is the vibration constant or can you drive through it. IE, it stops at 80 MPH...

Make sure that when you get the rebalance done, they balance all 4 tires for you. Best place in the Chicago area would be your local Discount Tire store.

 

you forgot to add in the shameless plug... haha, but discount always did my mr2... so i need to find a close one.

yea, it is pretty constant. i have tried to hold it at different speeds and see, but after about 35-40 mph it picks up and pretty much continues all the way through to 80-85. vibrations start to be a higher frequency above 60... as in quicker back and forth on the wheel. i will check all of that stuff before taking it back in though.

thanks guys

Brandon

 

The only other thing I can think of on a FWD vehicle would be a CV joint letting go. That will give off a beautiful vibration as well.

 

nah, don't think it is the CV joints. i just replaced the boots last winter and everything was tight when i had them off. it doesn't wobble or anything when tugged on either.

thanks

 

"Out of round" tire or a egg/lump on one?

 

i thought about that... but i am not sure. it is too uniform to be a bump, or slipped belt. and i am pretty damn sure it is coming from the front end as well.

 

Dave,

That's why I suggested having all 4 balanced. You'd be suprised how many times I've seen a LR tire with a seperation causing terrible steering wheel vibrations.

If you just balance the fronts, the rears often aren't even looked at.

 

hmmmm. i suppose that makes sense, i guess i will do all four then.

thanks

 

well i took it out at lunch and it doesn't seem to really start until about 55 miles an hour.

i will double check the lug nuts again... and pull the wheels off and make sure they are torqued right. damnit. always something

 

I'm sure this doesn't apply to you, but my maxima had serious vibration during braking. I needed new rotors, but then just ended up selling the car to buy the Z.

I just wanted to throw that out there in case brakes could be the problem.

 

I had a Taurus a couple years ago, that after getting some new tires put on it, exhibited the same problem. I took it back to the shop twice and supposedly they "fixed" it. But every time I hit 70 mph the front end started shaking. I finally took it to another dealer and he rebalanced the fronts and it was perfect after than. Either the first shop's machine was uncalibrated or the tech was incompetent.

 

ok... first stop... rebalancing

thanks guys