my steering wheel shakes - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

240SxTYLE · 10-17-2002, 12:10 PM

yeah my steering wheel will shake fairly roughly from around 55-65 mph, but anywhere before or after that i dont feel any shaking at all... i was just wondering if anyone has this problem... im thinking it might just be my alignment, but if anyone else has other suggestions on what it might be please tell me.

thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

boosteds14 · 10-17-2002, 12:25 PM

alignment

wpayne · 10-17-2002, 12:31 PM

It's could be alignment but just from past experience I have to say that's a wheel balance problem. My car did the exact same thing. Turns out, one of my wheels wasn't balanced when I changed the tire. Check to see if all your wheels have weights on them.

HippoSleek · 10-17-2002, 12:38 PM

Get your tires balanced first.  85% chance that's it.

*DSC* · 10-17-2002, 12:42 PM

Ballance first, then try alignment.  If it keeps up, it could be damaged/worn bushings on your t/c rods or tie rods...I'd think tie rods would be the more likely cause.

DuffMan · 10-17-2002, 02:43 PM

Pretty sure its a ballance issue. My car does the exact same thing at that speed with my summer wheels/tires. Last time I ever have pep boys mount my tires.

**West** · 10-17-2002, 02:49 PM

I agree with DSC, it could be the worn bushings in your tension rods. But you should check your tires and alignment if you think its been awhile since you got your last one. Although if your bushings in your tension rods are worn then more then likely a alignment wont help.

I had some shake in my steering wheel until I replaced my stock tension rods with my monkey magic ones.

KiDyNomiTe · 10-17-2002, 03:04 PM

There is a thread in the tech section with the same issues, don't remember the solution, but a couple of people had the same problem

shark0769 · 10-17-2002, 08:17 PM

I went thru exactly the same thing last summer.

I got the car aligned - nothing.
I got the wheels/tires rebalanced - nothing.
Got replacement t/c rods with Whiteline bushings (from PDM Racing) - smoothed out considerably.

I still have a slight shimmy around the same speeds you indicated, but it's much, much better than before. Just today I received my Moog Tie rod ends (also from PDM) and will have those in either tomorrow or Saturday.

Also, after the old t/c rods came off the car, I took a look at them. The old rubber bushings were almost completely dry rotted and were oozing the silicone. If you take a look at yours, check for the same thing and it will probably answer your question.

Check out pdm-racing.com under thier suspension link on the left...lots of good stuff on the site.

240SxTYLE · 10-17-2002, 08:54 PM

thanks ya'll i'll be checking those things fairly shortly.... lets hope i dont have to go through what shark0769 had to go through.... but if anything i'll post what the outcome (for anyone that cares.

stil bil · 10-17-2002, 11:09 PM

mine does the same thing...and it pulls HARD to the right all the time no matter what speed.. and the inside of my front driverside tire is bald...thought it was toe in and took it to the doctor and was told that my camber was off...still havent had that fixed yet...if that is it...

MorganS13 · 10-17-2002, 11:17 PM

mine does the same thing, gets pretty damn annoying having to steer right constantly on 2 hour trips.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>  i'm pretty sure mine is due to my tension rod bushings though because i've been meaning to change mine since the beginning of summer.

*drifterx* · 10-18-2002, 09:30 AM

balance!!! and also make sure u your rear 2 are the same brand and type
and also make sure your front 2 are the same brand and type
alignment is mostly for steering wheel not being centered

LoCo · 10-18-2002, 10:07 AM

Your tires will most likely need balancing... my 240 was doing the same thing until my tires were balanced.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/satisfied.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':satisfied:'>

If you car is pulling to one side while driving then that could be an alignment issue.   <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/notify.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':notify:'>

Hopefully its nothing major and your car just needs balancing... good luck  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

*drifterx* · 10-18-2002, 10:41 AM

lenny (loco)
lol... this is the first time u ever had the same tires on all 4 corners and they r also balanced and your car is pretty well aligned....
so i guess u have the most experience in this category

LoCo · 10-18-2002, 11:02 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (drifterx @ Oct. 18 2002,11:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">lenny (loco)
lol... this is the first time u ever had the same tires on all 4 corners and they r also balanced and your car is pretty well aligned....
so i guess u have the most experience in this category</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
My car is soooo smooth now.  Man i won't go to a salvage yard to get tires anymore... well maybe if i want to rip them up like i did my last 2.  My Car is officially not as ghetto!!  Well except for the damn steel rims lol  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/music.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':music:'>

shark0769 · 10-28-2002, 06:57 AM

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. I got the Moog Tie rod ends installed and then had all the wheels/tires re-balanced and a complete alignment done. It's now rock solid without any shimmy. Can't tell you how good this feels after puting up with it for the last three years.

Natty · 10-28-2002, 10:50 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (shark0769 @ Oct. 27 2002,08:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. I got the Moog Tie rod ends installed and then had all the wheels/tires re-balanced and a complete alignment done. It's now rock solid without any shimmy. Can't tell you how good this feels after puting up with it for the last three years.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
3 years  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'>  ouch. Glad to hear you fixed it.

I have a bad shimmy from 45-65 too. I had my wheels rebalanced. It doesn't pull, so I think my 12,000 miles old alignment is still good.
This occured after I did my front brakes. I know my rotors are warped too. I have bad tires (cupped) and bad shocks.
This summer I plan on new tires, alignment, bushings, tc rods, and shocks. If that doesn't fix it, I am driving it off a cliff  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>
Jeff

10-17-2002, 12:10 PM	#1
240SxTYLE Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: orlando Posts: 290 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah my steering wheel will shake fairly roughly from around 55-65 mph, but anywhere before or after that i dont feel any shaking at all... i was just wondering if anyone has this problem... im thinking it might just be my alignment, but if anyone else has other suggestions on what it might be please tell me. thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ Second love First Love (my girl, not the honda)

10-17-2002, 12:25 PM	#2
boosteds14 Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: CIPmotorsports Age: 43 Posts: 1,612 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	alignment __________________ 240SXONE www.240SXMOTORING.com --- One Stop Shop for Your Nissan 240sx

10-17-2002, 12:31 PM	#3
wpayne Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Okinawa, Japan + Azusa, CA Posts: 563 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's could be alignment but just from past experience I have to say that's a wheel balance problem. My car did the exact same thing. Turns out, one of my wheels wasn't balanced when I changed the tire. Check to see if all your wheels have weights on them. __________________ Too many people use cars as an extension of their PENIS and they make me sick. A car is to get you from point A to point B or for motorsports. Not revving around town at stop lights. Check out my mods!: 50,000watt super amp and JDM lights!! Yeah right... S13 Silvia K's I got for free (I'm in japan now)!! Woot woot! '99 25GT-T Skyline (I don't want to list all the parts) http://welcome.to/skylinegtr '92 240sx HB

10-17-2002, 12:42 PM	#5
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ballance first, then try alignment.  If it keeps up, it could be damaged/worn bushings on your t/c rods or tie rods...I'd think tie rods would be the more likely cause. __________________

10-17-2002, 02:49 PM	#7
West OMNOMNOMNOM Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Denver, CO Age: 44 Posts: 6,456 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: West Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I agree with DSC, it could be the worn bushings in your tension rods. But you should check your tires and alignment if you think its been awhile since you got your last one. Although if your bushings in your tension rods are worn then more then likely a alignment wont help. I had some shake in my steering wheel until I replaced my stock tension rods with my monkey magic ones. __________________ West - Zilvia.net - Toyobaru.net - NapkinSketch.com

10-17-2002, 12:38 PM	#4
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Get your tires balanced first.  85% chance that's it.

10-17-2002, 02:43 PM	#6
DuffMan Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: in a cardboard box Posts: 2,517 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Pretty sure its a ballance issue. My car does the exact same thing at that speed with my summer wheels/tires. Last time I ever have pep boys mount my tires.

10-17-2002, 03:04 PM	#8
KiDyNomiTe Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chicago Age: 38 Posts: 6,296 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: KiDyNomiTe Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There is a thread in the tech section with the same issues, don't remember the solution, but a couple of people had the same problem __________________ PROCEED Grip Gambler

10-17-2002, 08:17 PM	#9
shark0769 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Antonio Age: 55 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I went thru exactly the same thing last summer. I got the car aligned - nothing. I got the wheels/tires rebalanced - nothing. Got replacement t/c rods with Whiteline bushings (from PDM Racing) - smoothed out considerably. I still have a slight shimmy around the same speeds you indicated, but it's much, much better than before. Just today I received my Moog Tie rod ends (also from PDM) and will have those in either tomorrow or Saturday. Also, after the old t/c rods came off the car, I took a look at them. The old rubber bushings were almost completely dry rotted and were oozing the silicone. If you take a look at yours, check for the same thing and it will probably answer your question. Check out pdm-racing.com under thier suspension link on the left...lots of good stuff on the site. __________________ My 240? None currently, but looking...

10-17-2002, 08:54 PM	#10
240SxTYLE Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: orlando Posts: 290 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thanks ya'll i'll be checking those things fairly shortly.... lets hope i dont have to go through what shark0769 had to go through.... but if anything i'll post what the outcome (for anyone that cares. __________________ Second love First Love (my girl, not the honda)

10-17-2002, 11:09 PM	#11
stil bil Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Age: 43 Posts: 320 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	mine does the same thing...and it pulls HARD to the right all the time no matter what speed.. and the inside of my front driverside tire is bald...thought it was toe in and took it to the doctor and was told that my camber was off...still havent had that fixed yet...if that is it... __________________ DUDE I'M GETTING A TURBO!!

10-17-2002, 11:17 PM	#12
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	mine does the same thing, gets pretty damn annoying having to steer right constantly on 2 hour trips.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>  i'm pretty sure mine is due to my tension rod bushings though because i've been meaning to change mine since the beginning of summer.

10-18-2002, 09:30 AM	#13
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 44 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	balance!!! and also make sure u your rear 2 are the same brand and type and also make sure your front 2 are the same brand and type alignment is mostly for steering wheel not being centered __________________ I am GOD!

10-18-2002, 10:07 AM	#14
LoCo Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rhode Island Age: 46 Posts: 81 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Your tires will most likely need balancing... my 240 was doing the same thing until my tires were balanced.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/satisfied.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':satisfied:'> If you car is pulling to one side while driving then that could be an alignment issue.   <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/notify.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':notify:'> Hopefully its nothing major and your car just needs balancing... good luck  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> __________________ Lenny 1993 S13 ACT Street Clutch, Lightened Flywheel, OBX Short-throw Shifter, Magnecor 8.5" Competion Spark Plug Wires, Front Strut-Tower bar waiting to do my rear lol, AEM Ram Air Intake, APEXi N1 Catback w/ Silencer (finally... sick of getting pulled over) What next? ...Brakes, suspension, or something else? UPDATE: going to re-build front end (bumper, fenders, hood, headlights) due to accident!!

10-18-2002, 10:41 AM	#15
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 44 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	lenny (loco) lol... this is the first time u ever had the same tires on all 4 corners and they r also balanced and your car is pretty well aligned.... so i guess u have the most experience in this category __________________ I am GOD!

10-18-2002, 11:02 AM	#16
LoCo Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rhode Island Age: 46 Posts: 81 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (drifterx @ Oct. 18 2002,11:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">lenny (loco) lol... this is the first time u ever had the same tires on all 4 corners and they r also balanced and your car is pretty well aligned.... so i guess u have the most experience in this category</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> My car is soooo smooth now.  Man i won't go to a salvage yard to get tires anymore... well maybe if i want to rip them up like i did my last 2.  My Car is officially not as ghetto!!  Well except for the damn steel rims lol  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/music.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':music:'> __________________ Lenny 1993 S13 ACT Street Clutch, Lightened Flywheel, OBX Short-throw Shifter, Magnecor 8.5" Competion Spark Plug Wires, Front Strut-Tower bar waiting to do my rear lol, AEM Ram Air Intake, APEXi N1 Catback w/ Silencer (finally... sick of getting pulled over) What next? ...Brakes, suspension, or something else? UPDATE: going to re-build front end (bumper, fenders, hood, headlights) due to accident!!

10-28-2002, 06:57 AM	#17
shark0769 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Antonio Age: 55 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. I got the Moog Tie rod ends installed and then had all the wheels/tires re-balanced and a complete alignment done. It's now rock solid without any shimmy. Can't tell you how good this feels after puting up with it for the last three years. __________________ My 240? None currently, but looking...

10-28-2002, 10:50 AM	#18
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 (shark0769 @ Oct. 27 2002,08:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. I got the Moog Tie rod ends installed and then had all the wheels/tires re-balanced and a complete alignment done. It's now rock solid without any shimmy. Can't tell you how good this feels after puting up with it for the last three years.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> 3 years  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'>  ouch. Glad to hear you fixed it. I have a bad shimmy from 45-65 too. I had my wheels rebalanced. It doesn't pull, so I think my 12,000 miles old alignment is still good. This occured after I did my front brakes. I know my rotors are warped too. I have bad tires (cupped) and bad shocks. This summer I plan on new tires, alignment, bushings, tc rods, and shocks. If that doesn't fix it, I am driving it off a cliff  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> Jeff __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'