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-   -   Steering Wheel Shake/Vibrate (http://www.the370z.com/wheels-tires/73969-steering-wheel-shake-vibrate.html)

NickTurnon 07-13-2013 01:25 PM
Steering Wheel Shake/Vibrate
 
Hey everyone!

Did some searching, only found brake related wheel vibration issues.

Looking for some advice. When I go over 60-70mph the wheel starts to shake.

This has been going on for a month or so now and I thought it was unbalanced tires but I did those and it still shakes.

My first guess is my hubcentric wheel spacers 20mm, but not sure.

Heres a quick bad quality video for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvUOi--cROM

cptspeed 07-13-2013 01:28 PM
probably the spacers. did it start after installing them?

NickTurnon 07-13-2013 01:31 PM
To be honest, I don't really remember if they were shaking. I didn't do a ton of highway driving so I never really felt it.

Only vibrates at higher speeds & once you hit 90/100 it stops. Probably because you are going to fast to feel those same vibrations

GaleForce 07-13-2013 01:37 PM
I would check your spacers first. It's quick and easy. There were other guys that had problem with the ring on the spacers cracking. H&R's I think.

Grindkiezer 07-13-2013 01:38 PM
Are they bolt on pacers/adapters? Or stud replacement?

NickTurnon 07-13-2013 01:40 PM
Bolt on spacers-

If its not too hot today I will try and remove the wheels and look at the spacers...

Grindkiezer 07-13-2013 01:42 PM
They're shaking because they're bolt ons. There's no way to equally torque all lugs

NickTurnon 07-13-2013 01:43 PM
See, thats what I was thinking.

Even though I tightened them in a star pattern, still doesnt mean they are perfectly bolted on straight and flush..

GaleForce 07-13-2013 01:48 PM
For that matter remove the spacers completely, reinstall the wheels and go for a test drive. It will rule out the spacers if they are the issue.

DEpointfive0 07-13-2013 01:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grindkiezer (Post 2402967)
They're shaking because they're bolt ons. There's no way to equally torque all lugs
Please don't spread that bull that its because its bolt on spacers
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickTurnon (Post 2402968)
See, thats what I was thinking.

Even though I tightened them in a star pattern, still doesnt mean they are perfectly bolted on straight and flush..
Bolt ons can be 100% fine and safe. And even more safe than stud replacement types as well. There might just be a larger margin for error during install.
My Ichibas have been on for 10-15k and have seen 150MPH with no issues

DEpointfive0 07-13-2013 01:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaleForce (Post 2402969)
For that matter remove the spacers completely, reinstall the wheels and go for a test drive. It will rule out the spacers if they are the issue.
But :iagree: try this first

Grindkiezer 07-13-2013 02:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DEpointfive0 (Post 2402977)
Please don't spread that bull that its because its bolt on spacers

Bolt ons can be 100% fine and safe. And even more safe than stud replacement types as well. There might just be a larger margin for error during install.
My Ichibas have been on for 10-15k and have seen 150MPH with no issues
Never said they were unsafe. I said they're shaking because of them not that he's in danger

DEpointfive0 07-13-2013 02:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grindkiezer (Post 2402998)
Never said they were unsafe. I said they're shaking because of them not that he's in danger
Lol, hmmmmm... Ok, I didn't mean to come off like an ąsshole either, just bolt ons get a really bad rap, and I hate seeing that when it's 99% of the time an installer error when something does go wrong

Grindkiezer 07-13-2013 02:28 PM
I have 20/25mm bolt ons on my car so I'm not trying to hate on bolt ons in general. Just saying that it's "most likely" the source of vibration since his wheels are in alignment

DEpointfive0 07-13-2013 02:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grindkiezer (Post 2403008)
I have 20/25mm bolt ons on my car so I'm not trying to hate on bolt ons in general. Just saying that it's "most likely" the source of vibration since his wheels are in alignment
Yessir :iagree: :tiphat:

NickTurnon 07-13-2013 02:51 PM
Appreciate the input. When its not 105 out, I will go to a friends house and remove the spacers and take her for a spin.

I'll report back just in case its something random.

NickTurnon 09-04-2013 01:59 PM
So i had some time this past weekend to take my wheels off get the car on the jackstands and inspect the spacers, bolts, torque specs, etc..

Everything seems fine.

I did notice the inside of the tires were wearing and they still have around 70% tread life.
I thought Nissan aligned the car for me when I did the 60k service? Guess not.

A mechanic friend of mine got in and drove it around. He thinks its either the tires causing the shaking of the wheel or something regarding the tires.

Its not really that big of a deal, but it shouldn't be vibrating.

cptspeed 09-04-2013 03:46 PM
yes, but did you remove the spacers and test drive. Removal of the spacers confirmed a spacer problem and not a tire problem for me. Also, you will see camber wear on your tires because of the stock camber settings. If it turns out the spacers are not the issue, make sure to have your tires balanced by someone who regularly works on high performance vehicles.

Volk Z 09-04-2013 03:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickTurnon (Post 2472988)
So i had some time this past weekend to take my wheels off get the car on the jackstands and inspect the spacers, bolts, torque specs, etc..

Everything seems fine.

I did notice the inside of the tires were wearing and they still have around 70% tread life.
I thought Nissan aligned the car for me when I did the 60k service? Guess not.

A mechanic friend of mine got in and drove it around. He thinks its either the tires causing the shaking of the wheel or something regarding the tires.

Its not really that big of a deal, but it shouldn't be vibrating.
Other things to consider/Check

1. Check all your wheels are torqued to spec (85 ft lbs or so)
2. Did any of the weights from your wheels fall off you may see a spot where there is the leftover goo stuff.

Tires wearing on the inside would just be negative camber showing and would not cause shaking.

How about did you lower your car? If your struts are going you could get some shaking.

Are you running aftermarket wheels? Or aftermarket lug nuts on stock wheels?

If your car was stock it would be easier to rule out random variables that are definitely the cause of this issue.

NickTurnon 09-04-2013 04:07 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Volk Z (Post 2473090)
Other things to consider/Check

1. Check all your wheels are torqued to spec (85 ft lbs or so) This is done.
2. Did any of the weights from your wheels fall off you may see a spot where there is the leftover goo stuff. Tires were rebalanced when I took them to Discount Tire down the street.

Tires wearing on the inside would just be negative camber showing and would not cause shaking. I believe the term my friend used was "cupping"

How about did you lower your car? If your struts are going you could get some shaking. Didnt lower car

Are you running aftermarket wheels? Or aftermarket lug nuts on stock wheels? Stock everything

If your car was stock it would be easier to rule out random variables that are definitely the cause of this issue.
Keep in mind that its only vibrating on the freeway at 60-80 mph

Thank you guys.

Mike 09-04-2013 04:11 PM
20mm bolt on spacers is the problem. The wheel studs are about 21-22mm, at least in the rear, so the stock studs are sticking out past the spacer and contacting the wheel, preventing it from mating up to the hub properly. Thats the problem I had way back when my car was new. you need at least 25mm to use bolt on spacers.

Volk Z 09-04-2013 04:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickTurnon (Post 2473104)
Keep in mind that its only vibrating on the freeway at 60-80 mph

Thank you guys.
Yes i understand that, my wife had a bad alignment and poor rebalancing and the car shook at those speeds as well so that is probably the culprit but the other suggestions were things you could check in your driveway... Its good to rule things out before your wheel falls off or something else happens.

DIGItonium 09-06-2013 11:25 AM
I have 10mm spacers with new studs for the front wheels, and my steering wheel experiences minor shakes at some point on the freeway. Then it stops, and it's smooth afterwards.

kenchan 09-06-2013 11:34 AM
i had a car with light weight SSR comps in the past that had the same symptom. tire balace could not fix it. did not happen with other wheels. i think it had to do with the tires themselves. i hated it. 45-50mph the steering vibrated just enough to bother me.

on my other cars i have spacers and no shake at all. the one im running on my G is a bolt-on type 10mm with hubcentric ring built-in FIC spacer. expensive, but worth every penny.

NickTurnon 09-12-2013 04:41 PM
Turns out it was my alignment. Tires are cupping and inside of fronts are worn, and my rears are all lopsided.

I scheduled alignment for tomorrow. That'll hopefully allow me to stretch the life of these tires since they aren't that old at all.

Thank you for everyone that said alignment or chimed in with other suggestions!

Volk Z 09-13-2013 06:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickTurnon (Post 2484899)
Turns out it was my alignment. Tires are cupping and inside of fronts are worn, and my rears are all lopsided.

I scheduled alignment for tomorrow. That'll hopefully allow me to stretch the life of these tires since they aren't that old at all.

Thank you for everyone that said alignment or chimed in with other suggestions!
I remember a wise man saying it could be the alignment a couple posts back... ;)

Glad you figured it out

roy'sz 09-13-2013 07:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickTurnon (Post 2484899)
Turns out it was my alignment. Tires are cupping and inside of fronts are worn, and my rears are all lopsided.

I scheduled alignment for tomorrow. That'll hopefully allow me to stretch the life of these tires since they aren't that old at all.

Thank you for everyone that said alignment or chimed in with other suggestions!
My factory set lasted 22k. They could have lasted 35k but the factory alignment was way off. Both front and rear tires were featherd to hell!!! Hope you get your settings dialed in to save that $$$ :driving:

NickTurnon 09-13-2013 09:45 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Volk Z (Post 2485601)
I remember a wise man saying it could be the alignment a couple posts back... ;)

Glad you figured it out
Rep points:iagree:

Volk Z 09-13-2013 10:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NickTurnon (Post 2485899)
Rep points:iagree:
You da man, Honestly im just glad you figured it out... I know it can make things a little stressful when things are not going perfectly with the Z


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