Intermittent Steering Shake

[mxexux]

I think DALAZ is talking about the "rag joint" that connects 2 parts of the steering column in the engine bay before it gets to the rack. I could definitely see this as a possibility for the cause of your problem. Its basically like a flex joint. At this point I think its worth checking out. GL.

[slider2828]

I think you have center play in the rack bro.... If yo replaced ALL that stuff, yu have probably a jacked up rack.... replace it....

[klattr1]

how old are your motor mounts?

[GuardianLlama]

Originally Posted by slider2828

I think you have center play in the rack bro.... If yo replaced ALL that stuff, yu have probably a jacked up rack.... replace it....

EFFFFF i replaced my rack and the problem persists. Although steering feels a ton better and the shake seems more constant. Maybe my brand new wheels came bent. Who knows.

[J40sx]

i have almost the same suspension set up as you. Mine started to shake like crazy also but this is after a year or so from the install, i found that i had low tire pressure, so i just added more air and the it took away most of the shaking, Now it just shakes around 65mph a little

[Triperformance]

Some things I noticed people skipped over to check. 1 piece drive shaft, did it come balanced and is it positioned strait. The other thing could be your tires needing road force balanced (this is when the actual tire is deformed or belt shifted and such). Its common in aftermarket low profile tires. I have always been a Michelin guy cause I have never had an issue with shifted belts but thats a person perference. I think the standard light vehicle tire has a 30lb road force out of round limit, over that and you will have an issue. I agree with rack bushing as well, replaced mine when i had a vibration over bumps doing hard turns. I would start with bushings/obvious stuff first....expecially new parts, inspect everything and make sure nothings loose.

[slider2828]

Originally Posted by GuardianLlama

EFFFFF i replaced my rack and the problem persists. Although steering feels a ton better and the shake seems more constant. Maybe my brand new wheels came bent. Who knows.

Driveshaft makes a huge difference, did you check your subframe bolts? I believe all of it should be torque to 80 ft/lbs same with the rack... Check that... also look for tie rod play and lower ball joint play...

[GuardianLlama]

Originally Posted by GuardianLlama

I have a new 1 piece driveshaft.

Any yes i have re-tightened my front subframe.

Basically everything is new up front so i dont know what would be worn out.

[hondanissan]

i've got the same problem and i've also done just about as much as you. i just checked my drive shaft just now and it seems to be solid. ...btw, how do i know if the u joints or shaft itself is bad??

[slider2828]

You can't do it yourself... You must have a driveshaft shop check it... TRUST ME!!! Its worth the money..

[slider2828]

Originally Posted by GuardianLlama

Any yes i have re-tightened my front subframe.

Basically everything is new up front so i dont know what would be worn out.

Wheel bearing?

[Gladman]

Did you ever figure this out?

I did a google search and came up with this topic, havent posted here in ages.

But after doing a 5 bolt swap, new Q45 brakes and wheels I have this problem.

The wheel shakes from 55mph > 80mph and it shakes on and off, it basically shakes for 2 seconds, then nothing for 2 seconds.

The wheels/tires came brand new road force balanced and they shook from the get go. I replaced the front tires and had them rebalanced and the problem didnt go away. I replaced the front wheel bearings, checked the ball joints, tie rods and still shaking.

I've read about the centering spring a couple times now and Im trying to find someone who has actually replaced this. Im getting sick of taking $100 shots in the dark that arent fixing my problem!

[Gladman]

Quick thought update...

I decided to go pull out the centering spring on the rack to see if it was flattened out or something and made an interesting discovery.

With the spring completely removed I can move the steering wheel back and forth the exact same distance that it vibrates under speed without the rack moving. The shaking looks to be directly related to the distance of play in the rack when this spring is removed, which might suggest the tension is too loose and it allowing a miniscule amount of poor balance to effect steering.

[slider2828]

There is a nissan tech bulletin out for this.... the part is a spring basically.....

[Gladman]

Got new tires, went under the car, cranked the adjustment bolt a 1/4" turn and all vibrations are gone. I doubt you need a new spring, that is just OEM propaganda. The spring itself still holds tension for a given torque spec, so just retorque to the SB spec and you should be good to go.

[hondanissan]

did you ever find out what the problem was???? my car is still doing it...now i just want to get rid of it cuz i cant figure it out...boohoo.

[jacobcartmill]

my S14 is doing this.

i just replaced my tension rods and it did not help at all.

the shaking is violent from ~50-60 mph... like scary.

anyone every figure this out?

[slider2828]

Did you check the rack for play? did you check your wheel bearings for play. Toe rod? What have you checked?

[slider2828]

Check tie rod, ball joints on the arms and bolts...

[BTplaya]

I had this problem last year. I checked everything up front. Ended up being one of my rear sturts was blown.