Driveshaft issue? Speed related Vibration

modme · 03-15-2012, 03:47 PM

My car just recently developed a weird vibration issue at high way speeds. At only speeds above 60+ mph, the car has a speed related vibration. The faster I go, the greater the vibration. This problem came on suddenly last week. Handling is not affected and the car does not shimmy. I dont believe its a wheel or tire issue, since none of those things were touched before the problem arose. Along with the vibration, there is also a low frequency hum that also gets louder with increased speed. The vibration has a really high frequency such that it vibrates the rearview mirror and makes the image blurry.

I know it's not engine related because the sound and vibration is not affected by RPM and remains constant with the car in neutral. I'm suspecting a driveshaft issue. Has anyone experienced something similar?

mults · 03-15-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modme

My car just recently developed a weird vibration issue at high way speeds. At only speeds above 60+ mph, the car has a speed related vibration. The faster I go, the greater the vibration. This problem came on suddenly last week. Handling is not affected and the car does not shimmy. I dont believe its a wheel or tire issue, since none of those things were touched before the problem arose. Along with the vibration, there is also a low frequency hum that also gets louder with increased speed. The vibration has a really high frequency such that it vibrates the rearview mirror and makes the image blurry.

I know it's not engine related because the sound and vibration is not affected by RPM and remains constant with the car in neutral. I'm suspecting a driveshaft issue. Has anyone experienced something similar?

Maybe a wheel weight fell off? I would look at each wheel to see if any are missing.

modme · 03-15-2012, 04:10 PM

I'll double check on wheel weights, but I dont think that's the problem. I've experienced unbalanced wheel problems before and it feels nothing like this. It's a really high frequency vibration. It's like the phone vibration but much more pronounced and spreads throughout the car.

Cmike2780 · 03-15-2012, 04:14 PM

It might be the rear wheel out of balance. You wouldn't feel it on the steering wheel.

ImportConvert · 03-16-2012, 03:02 AM

Drive-shaft vibration will be felt through the shifter, and through the body of the car, in a vehicle like the 370Z. Wheel out of balance or a bent rim will be felt through the body and steering-wheel (Front) or through the body (rear).

bullitt5897 · 03-16-2012, 08:55 AM

I would bet its a wheel issue. A bent rim could do the same...

Joe@ZSpeed · 03-16-2012, 09:41 AM

I would check U-joints, Driveshaft bolts for tightness ect. Normally a quick harmonic vibration as you say will be a driveshaft issue.

corbin09 · 03-16-2012, 10:27 AM

Check your rear differential bushing.

Skeeterbop · 03-16-2012, 02:44 PM

When you say it remains constant in neutral, is that sitting at a standstill or while coasting. If sitting, it isn't the driveshaft. Check the wheels first and work to the more expensive stuff as things are ruled out.

modme · 03-16-2012, 03:03 PM

When coasting at 65 and I throw it in neutral, it vibrates without change. I also confirmed that it's not the wheel bearings. There is 0 play in all 4 wheels.

henry0844 · 03-16-2012, 09:17 PM

I have the same issue. the vibration is really felt in the shifter 6mt. it much more vibration than the normal vibrations. seems to happen more at night when it's cold out. I can also hear a low hum sound coming from the car as well. I'm going to get it checked out my next oil change at nissan.

edit: I do not abuse my car, car has 25000 miles on it.

modme · 03-16-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry0844

I have the same issue. the vibration is really felt in the shifter 6mt. it much more vibration than the normal vibrations. seems to happen more at night when it's cold out. I can also hear a low hum sound coming from the car as well. I'm going to get it checked out my next oil change at nissan.

edit: I do not abuse my car, car has 25000 miles on it.

Doesnt sound like you have the same issue as me. I dont have much vibration in the shifter, the vibration is throughout the whole car. It doesnt happen only at cold temperatures, it happens all the time. The faster I drive, the more it shakes.

So I think i confirmed its a driveshaft issue. I jacked up the rear and ran the car with the wheels in the air. The vibration is still there. The wheels are spinning perfectly straight. It was hard to tell but it looked like the driveshaft had some vibration/run out.

Trips · 03-16-2012, 10:54 PM

I would suggest taking it in and having the dealer look at it.

It maybe a bad Drive shaft u-joint from either the front or rear or even one from the rear side axles.

Like someone alluded to earlier.

Edit = Looks like you narrowed it down never mind

Joe@ZSpeed · 03-21-2012, 04:34 PM

Just noticed grease slinging out of the rear U joint on the 370 today at 18,000 miles. Time to go pay the dealer a visit.....

NOBLE|370Z · 04-13-2014, 04:33 PM

Ive got the exact same issue going on here with my car as Modme did here.

Modme, can you confirm for me if it was the driveshaft that went bad? Was it just out of balance? Did the u joints need to be fixed or tightened?

Did the dealer fix the issues after addressing the problem? Did they warranty it, even though you have a TT? I have the GTM stage 2 kit as well, and I got a feeling that the dealer won't warranty this work haha

03-15-2012, 03:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
modme Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY Posts: 345 Drives: G37 Rep Power: 16	Driveshaft issue? Speed related Vibration My car just recently developed a weird vibration issue at high way speeds. At only speeds above 60+ mph, the car has a speed related vibration. The faster I go, the greater the vibration. This problem came on suddenly last week. Handling is not affected and the car does not shimmy. I dont believe its a wheel or tire issue, since none of those things were touched before the problem arose. Along with the vibration, there is also a low frequency hum that also gets louder with increased speed. The vibration has a really high frequency such that it vibrates the rearview mirror and makes the image blurry. I know it's not engine related because the sound and vibration is not affected by RPM and remains constant with the car in neutral. I'm suspecting a driveshaft issue. Has anyone experienced something similar? __________________ GTM Twin Turbo Stage 2\|GTR Turbo/Engine Gauges\|KW V3 Coilovers\|HKS Exhaust\|Oil Cooler\| Vossen CV1

03-15-2012, 04:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
modme Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY Posts: 345 Drives: G37 Rep Power: 16	I'll double check on wheel weights, but I dont think that's the problem. I've experienced unbalanced wheel problems before and it feels nothing like this. It's a really high frequency vibration. It's like the phone vibration but much more pronounced and spreads throughout the car. __________________ GTM Twin Turbo Stage 2\|GTR Turbo/Engine Gauges\|KW V3 Coilovers\|HKS Exhaust\|Oil Cooler\| Vossen CV1

03-15-2012, 04:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 28	It might be the rear wheel out of balance. You wouldn't feel it on the steering wheel. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

03-16-2012, 08:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	I would bet its a wheel issue. A bent rim could do the same... __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

03-16-2012, 09:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Joe@ZSpeed The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,304 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 342999	I would check U-joints, Driveshaft bolts for tightness ect. Normally a quick harmonic vibration as you say will be a driveshaft issue. __________________ Phone *937-506-7224* E-Mail Sales@Zspeed.com www.ZSPEED.com

03-16-2012, 03:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7626	Drive-shaft vibration will be felt through the shifter, and through the body of the car, in a vehicle like the 370Z. Wheel out of balance or a bent rim will be felt through the body and steering-wheel (Front) or through the body (rear).

03-16-2012, 10:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 279	Check your rear differential bushing.

03-16-2012, 02:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Skeeterbop A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Bliss, TX Age: 40 Posts: 1,440 Drives: 2011 GM 370 base SP Rep Power: 16	When you say it remains constant in neutral, is that sitting at a standstill or while coasting. If sitting, it isn't the driveshaft. Check the wheels first and work to the more expensive stuff as things are ruled out. __________________ Srenity: "Yeah no rest needed to spread the love when your 20 that's for sure...."

03-16-2012, 03:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
modme Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY Posts: 345 Drives: G37 Rep Power: 16	When coasting at 65 and I throw it in neutral, it vibrates without change. I also confirmed that it's not the wheel bearings. There is 0 play in all 4 wheels. __________________ GTM Twin Turbo Stage 2\|GTR Turbo/Engine Gauges\|KW V3 Coilovers\|HKS Exhaust\|Oil Cooler\| Vossen CV1

03-16-2012, 09:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
henry0844 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: ventura Posts: 167 Drives: 10 370 base sprt pkg Rep Power: 14	I have the same issue. the vibration is really felt in the shifter 6mt. it much more vibration than the normal vibrations. seems to happen more at night when it's cold out. I can also hear a low hum sound coming from the car as well. I'm going to get it checked out my next oil change at nissan. edit: I do not abuse my car, car has 25000 miles on it. Last edited by henry0844; 03-16-2012 at 09:18 PM. Reason: add info

03-16-2012, 10:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I would suggest taking it in and having the dealer look at it. It maybe a bad Drive shaft u-joint from either the front or rear or even one from the rear side axles. Like someone alluded to earlier. Edit = Looks like you narrowed it down never mind __________________ Last edited by Trips; 03-16-2012 at 10:56 PM.

03-21-2012, 04:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Joe@ZSpeed The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,304 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 342999	Just noticed grease slinging out of the rear U joint on the 370 today at 18,000 miles. Time to go pay the dealer a visit..... __________________ Phone *937-506-7224* E-Mail Sales@Zspeed.com www.ZSPEED.com

04-13-2014, 04:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
NOBLE\|370Z Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 61 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 13	Ive got the exact same issue going on here with my car as Modme did here. Modme, can you confirm for me if it was the driveshaft that went bad? Was it just out of balance? Did the u joints need to be fixed or tightened? Did the dealer fix the issues after addressing the problem? Did they warranty it, even though you have a TT? I have the GTM stage 2 kit as well, and I got a feeling that the dealer won't warranty this work haha

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