Car shaking at speeds above 70 MPH

[bholabhala]

I have a huge problem. I cannot go over 70MPH. My steering wheel starts shaking badly. I have tried twice getting wheels balanced, got new brakes, rotor turned, just got a new driver side axle installed and front tires, but all useless. When i go over 70, the whole car starts shaking (Specially steering wheel).

Any advice will be highly appretiated.

[Nahkapohjola]

give basic vehicle info, pls

[bholabhala]

Its a 99 Nissan Maxima. 123000 miles. V6 DOHC engine. No ABS brakes.

[Nahkapohjola]

Try to figure out what exact instance (if) this started. What had happened previous 1k miles?

Wrong axle type? (there are 5 'maxima' types sold which 'fit' but cause problems) ... the passenger side axle worn or its support bearing? Why was the axle changed, not 'normal' at this mileage.

I'd still test-swap tires from rear to front.

Check for worn
- tie rod ends
- all suspension/wheel joints
- after that toe-in

Tranny/Clutch (as any revolving mass) may cause vibration, very rarely. Have u A/T or manual?

[FixUrNissan]

check tire balance and tires for belt shift.. gl

[bholabhala]

I am the second owner of the car, and i exactly dont know, what happened to the vehicle prior to me purchasing it. Nothing happened, after i got the vehicle. BUt i must mention a fact here that over the period fo last 6 month, since i had the car, its deteriorating gradually, i.e., the shaking is getting worst and worst. I have checked all tires and wheels. infact i will try to rent new wheels and then post the results of this little experiment here.

[Nahkapohjola]

If the shakin is felt only on steerin wheel, swappin tyres from rear to front will correct your problem -if- the problem is in tyres or loose bolts.

Or just try tst-rotatin sparetire to every corner...

[bholabhala]

OK
I have just put in brand new tires, balance is perfect, and got new axles. The car still shakes. The whole steering wheel shakes left & right instead of clockwise & anticlockwise. Its more like horizontal shaking of steering wheel. Any further suggestions? Someone told me it could be struts.. but i am not sure that struts will cause the whole car to shake like that?

[Nahkapohjola]

Steerin wheel 'rotational' shake enters from wobblin tyres via steerin mechanism (rods). The up/down shakin is more likely from worn engine supports and/or loose steerin column attacment bolts.

Shocks should/can be tested. They may just break 'any time', but after 60k miles they should be replaced anyways as their dampenin capacity has worn out 90%. When shocks are worn, they wont dampen tires up/down travel, and tires spend more time in air than on the asphalt: brakin will become harder while airborne (!), and the sailor's tires will also patchy-wear from jumpin. If the mileage is 123000 for the shocks, more likely they have already evaporated into the wind... good point is that one never falls asleep while drivin, snow will fall off as the vehicle continues shakin hours after being parked.

[Moman]

I have had this shimming problem also since I got my 2003 Maxima brand new off the lot. I had the dealer supposedly swap the rims and tire off of a new Maxima 3 months after I bought my car. It was smooth for a while then it started again. I would have the wheels balanced and it would be okay for a couple of months and then the shimmy would start again. I have tried swapping tires and rims when I rotate to my winter tires + steel rims, but I get the same shimmying problem at around 70 mph constantly recurring. It is annoying. I can't figure it out. Can anyone shed some light on this problem....I have a 2003 Maxima SE with the bridgestone 17" alloys now with under 20,000 miles. (haven't driven it much)

[Moman]

Found a temporary solution to my problem but would like to know of any mechanical defect or fix. What I have done is to do an on car balancing. This balances the whole wheel assembly on the car. It has been a life saver, but the shimmy will occur back again all be it much later that it usually has.

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by Moman

Found a temporary solution to my problem but would like to know of any mechanical defect or fix. ...

There must be a structural and/or materiel defect. Have u checked the Nissan TSB's? http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb

Use copper paste on the nuts, threads. Tighten using torque meter. When the problem reappears, measure again the tightness for all nuts. Any change?

[Moman]

I feel it is some mechanical issue but I can't figure it out. I checked the TSB and there is nothing related to this vibration. I'm not sure it is a torque issue either. I have changed tires, straightened alloy wheels, changed wheel to steel wheels for winter and even changed brake pads & rotors. Only thing that worked was an on car balancing. I haven't heard of other Maxima's with this problem. Not sure if it an engine mount, strut or driveshaft/hub issue. I am getting frustrated with trying to find the fix and the car is paid for...don't want to finance all over again. HELP!!

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by Moman

...I have had this shimming problem also since I got my 2003 Maxima brand new off the lot. I had the ... I haven't heard of other Maxima's with this problem. ...

I dont remember where, but once read smbdy complaining just that (I guess it was 2k2 Maxima?). This is 'not your problem', but Nissan's. They must repair it as it happened already under warranty... You must demand that they replace both the whole wheel bearing hub assemblies. (This is why I ask u to check often the nuts and their tightness using torque meter. Any funny/changing readings would be basis of the swap demand. The tool, copper paste, isnt too costly to buy... My guess is that the hub and/or bolts materiel/settings isnt up to specs.)

What u need is legal advice. After getting that, contact Nissan hq and tell your story, then nicely say that youll see with your lawyer that this problem with all related costs will be settled and paid by Nissan. Write all names (ask twice), addresses phone numbers, catalog all the used time and phone costs etc and send them also via e-mail to Nissan = they see its gonna be costly NOT to repair the issue ... The wheel bearing is also safety issue; try www.nhtsa.dot.gov -and- http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars

[cdc692003]

inspect motor mounts and trans mounts very close