Steering problem - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

240S15DETE6K · 11-19-2002, 08:56 AM

I have a new suspension problem.  When I hit a bump it sends the steering wheel into a shaking frenzy.  Sometimes it is quickly damped, sometimes it continues to oscilate and even get worse.  Background to aid troubleshooting, tires balanced two weeks ago, rotors turned two weeks ago, new Whiteline T.C. bushings, Koni dampers w/ Whiteline springs 6-months old, ½ life tires.  Any guidance?

NichiSan · 11-19-2002, 12:01 PM

check your tie rods. In my case, an external tie rod was the cause of the shaking.

Hope that helps.

Natty · 11-19-2002, 11:38 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NichiSan @ Nov. 18 2002,2:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">check your tie rods. In my case, an external tie rod was the cause of the shaking.

Hope that helps.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
How doesone chekc your tie rods? Do you look for cracks, bends, etc?
Jeff

adey · 11-19-2002, 11:54 PM

Look for tears in the tie rod end boots, leaking/oozing 'fluid' from the ball joint, and any other irregularities.
How low are you? Maybe you're hitting your bump stops? (I doubt it, though) ... maybe you should just hold the steering wheel tighter. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>  I can't think what else it could be...
Maybe imbalanced tires? Or even alignment? Did you get an alignment since you put in any of the suspension bits? (bushings, shocks/springs)

NichiSan · 11-20-2002, 08:53 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Natty @ Nov. 20 2002,12:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteBegin--NichiSan+Nov. 18 2002,2<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NichiSan @ Nov. 18 2002,2<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>1)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">check your tie rods. In my case, an external tie rod was the cause of the shaking.

Hope that helps.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
How doesone chekc your tie rods? Do you look for cracks, bends, etc?
Jeff</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
You jack up the front and hold the wheel with your hands. Then, you shake the wheel with short movements (left-right). You should notice if there is any play in the wheel. The reason the shakings should be kind of jerky is that otherwise you would move the wheel together with the steering wheel, blah, blah, blah. If you lift the car and start doing it you will see what I'm talking about.

I did that and I had some play in the left front wheel. I shook the wheel some more and looked under the car. I noticed that the play was in the external tie rod. This is how you check the tie rod.

After I changed the tie rod, I got a VERY precise steering and almost NO shaking in the steering wheel from 5 to 85 miles per hour. Before that, the steering wheel would shake so bad at times that my (metalic) wrist watch would start to make this rattling noise. (and this was immediately after a balance job...)

11-19-2002, 11:38 PM	#3
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NichiSan @ Nov. 18 2002,2:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">check your tie rods. In my case, an external tie rod was the cause of the shaking. Hope that helps.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> How doesone chekc your tie rods? Do you look for cracks, bends, etc? Jeff __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

11-19-2002, 11:54 PM	#4
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,072 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Look for tears in the tie rod end boots, leaking/oozing 'fluid' from the ball joint, and any other irregularities. How low are you? Maybe you're hitting your bump stops? (I doubt it, though) ... maybe you should just hold the steering wheel tighter. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  I can't think what else it could be... Maybe imbalanced tires? Or even alignment? Did you get an alignment since you put in any of the suspension bits? (bushings, shocks/springs) __________________ Instagram: @SX180HKG

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11-19-2002, 08:56 AM	#1
240S15DETE6K Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 95 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a new suspension problem.  When I hit a bump it sends the steering wheel into a shaking frenzy.  Sometimes it is quickly damped, sometimes it continues to oscilate and even get worse.  Background to aid troubleshooting, tires balanced two weeks ago, rotors turned two weeks ago, new Whiteline T.C. bushings, Koni dampers w/ Whiteline springs 6-months old, ½ life tires.  Any guidance?

11-19-2002, 12:01 PM	#2
NichiSan Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 33 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	check your tie rods. In my case, an external tie rod was the cause of the shaking. Hope that helps.

11-20-2002, 08:53 PM	#5
NichiSan Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 33 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Natty @ Nov. 20 2002,12:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteBegin--NichiSan+Nov. 18 2002,2<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NichiSan @ Nov. 18 2002,2<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>1)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">check your tie rods. In my case, an external tie rod was the cause of the shaking. Hope that helps.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> How doesone chekc your tie rods? Do you look for cracks, bends, etc? Jeff</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> You jack up the front and hold the wheel with your hands. Then, you shake the wheel with short movements (left-right). You should notice if there is any play in the wheel. The reason the shakings should be kind of jerky is that otherwise you would move the wheel together with the steering wheel, blah, blah, blah. If you lift the car and start doing it you will see what I'm talking about. I did that and I had some play in the left front wheel. I shook the wheel some more and looked under the car. I noticed that the play was in the external tie rod. This is how you check the tie rod. After I changed the tie rod, I got a VERY precise steering and almost NO shaking in the steering wheel from 5 to 85 miles per hour. Before that, the steering wheel would shake so bad at times that my (metalic) wrist watch would start to make this rattling noise. (and this was immediately after a balance job...)