2002 SE Steering Wheel Shaking...

RJL766 · Aug 21st, 2007, 08:48 PM

...at highway speeds. I got the front end aligned and all tires balanced today (tread wear is even all around), but it did absolutely nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be the problem? There's a slight vibration starting at about 70 (still drives in a straight line), and the car has just under 70k miles. The car is in great shape and has never had any issues before. Thanks.

-RJL

2001pathy_SE · Aug 22nd, 2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJL766

...at highway speeds. I got the front end aligned and all tires balanced today (tread wear is even all around), but it did absolutely nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be the problem? There's a slight vibration starting at about 70 (still drives in a straight line), and the car has just under 70k miles. The car is in great shape and has never had any issues before. Thanks.

-RJL

yes there issues with balancing the tires on these pathy's. it sounds like you have the shimmy. you need to go to a shop that has the hunter balancing machine. maybe someone else can offer some more info.

golfer · Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:41 AM

If the wheels and tires are properly balanced then there may be an issue with the steering rack slide force adjustment.

inanima · Aug 22nd, 2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2001pathy_SE

yes there issues with balancing the tires on these pathy's. it sounds like you have the shimmy. you need to go to a shop that has the hunter balancing machine. maybe someone else can offer some more info.

as mentioned look here: Hunter GSP9700 Wheel Vibration Control System

This is the only way to get the problem fixed right. I went thru 2 alignments, one rim, new shocks and stuts before I went to a shop with this machine. Hopefully this will save you the time and money.

This has cured the shimmy for over 3 years now.

boogyman · Aug 22nd, 2007, 11:28 AM

Ask your shop if they did a rolling balance. This is an issue that popped up a few years ago with Infiniti's. That is what the Hunter is supposed to do. If your Nissan dealer doesn't have one, go to an Infiniti dealer.

RJL766 · Aug 22nd, 2007, 05:17 PM

I forgot to mention that the tires were rotated, too, so does that eliminate a wheel or tire problem?

boogyman · Aug 23rd, 2007, 07:58 AM

Not really. It might have made it more noticeable, but shouldn't do anything bad. You just need a good balancing.

RJL766 · Aug 24th, 2007, 10:21 PM

I actually drove it on a 100 mile trip with absolutely no issues, but then this shaking started the next time I used the car. It's in good shape, no problems except this one. When the car is off and I rock the steering wheel back and forth, there's a clunking noise coming somewhere in the steering. I had my girlfriend rock the wheel so I could look around underneath, and the whole linkage is vibrating every time I hear the noise. I can't see it move, but I can feel both tie rod ends vibrating...not the greatest way to describe what's going on, but I'm trying...This can't be a balancing issue... I hope it is...its the cheapest fix!