50+mph steering shimmy...s14 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

s13pignose · 12-17-2008, 10:36 PM

I got wheel shimmy left to right around 50-60mph. I just got new inner tie rods and outer ends along with stock tension rods with good bushings put on Tuesday, and then alignment done afterwards. All was good the evening I got the car back out the shop, but the wheel shimmy came back yesteday(wed).

I'm pretty frustrated as what to do next. I know my tires have worn irregular I'm sure, since I lowered my car summer before last and hadn't got an alignment till now. So maybe just a balance and new tires is in order..def new tires since tread bars are showing.

But what else could it be...I've read similar threads on here people say wheel bearings possible- but I hear no noise like howling or anything. Also read ball joints possible too. Neither have been replaced since I've owned the car for about 3 years now.

Any help is appreciated..if I had the money I'd replace all my suspension lol

s13 @ fullboost · 12-17-2008, 10:49 PM

Check your lugs bro haha just kidding Well I hope they didn't come loose that fast but anyways If I were you I would jack the car up and take a good look if anything looks out of place,broken,not installed correctly ext. That is a good place to start

mxexux · 12-17-2008, 10:56 PM

If its only when you are going over 50 mph then I would confidently say that it is a balance issue. Also if your brake rotors are warped it would also cause this sort of vibration. Does your brake pedal pulsate when you apply the brakes coming off the freeway?

s13pignose · 12-17-2008, 11:16 PM

Nah brakes seem to be okay...never had an issue from em. When the tires on currently on my stock wheels were put on new, that took care of the shimmy for a short while too, but it came back like a week later. Then again didn't have all this new suspension I put on the other day. Maybe new tires and balance again will work for good this time around I hope.

Next I want steering rack bushins I think..something stiffer like nismo or poly or combo of the two

bl3ujay07 · 12-17-2008, 11:32 PM

My brother had same issue with his acura tl. anything over 60, his steering wheel starts to shake a bit, less smother. Got tires balanced and it was good. Hope it helps. I think balancing is the first and easiest way to go.

s13pignose · 12-17-2008, 11:42 PM

Question is should I try balance even though I know the wires are showing tread bars...or wait ride out the shimmy till I have money for new tires and a balance?

wht240sx · 12-17-2008, 11:48 PM

Just because tires look round, it doesnt mean they are. A perfectly balanced rim and tire could still cause a vibration. Road Force Vibration.
Since your tires are worn to the wear indicators start by replacing them and dont waste your money on balancing them.

ericcastro · 12-17-2008, 11:57 PM

I know with the S13 there are issues with the shake that are not suspension related.

there is a nissan factory recall/replacement thing sent out about it.

Not sure if its for S14's though.

slider2828 · 12-18-2008, 12:05 AM

tires... for sure....

ericcastro · 12-18-2008, 12:05 AM

couldn't find the thread with the actual link to the technical service bullitin

here is the thread I am quoting from
http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/34933-...e-problem.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmephistopheles

Take it to your local Nissan dealer and ask them about the TSB (technical service bulletin) relating to a steering wheel shimmy in S13s.

Also, it's possible that your ABS sensors are picking up some sort of metal (they ARE magnetic). I recommend removing your rotors and cleaning your sensors to be 100% sure. I'm kinda leaning towards this, as ABS only kicks in above 25mph.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Driver39

sorry to bring this thread back up, but i have a question about that tsb involving the spring in the steering rack. I have read that it only applies to earlier s13's, i have the 55-60 shimmy and have taken care of the many of the possible solutions (wheel balance, alignment, etc.) Could this tsb also apply to my 91 240, cause that was what i was unsure of after reading posts relating to this.

thanks in advance

Adam

mrmephistopheles, not just a MOD, also a holder of very rarely talked about Nissan info

lflkajfj12123 · 12-18-2008, 01:43 AM

look at your subframe (crossmember)

see if its bent AT ALL

GSXRJJordan · 12-18-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider2828

tires... for sure....

Yup, it's your tires. Once you get new ones, that wear correctly, you'll be good. Much more likely tires than the tech service bulletin cause.

slider2828 · 12-18-2008, 10:03 AM

Yes the tech bulletin is changing the preload steering rack spring.... I did, it was useless.... Waste of time was of money.... If you change the tires and that is not the problem....

GOD GET A NEW RACK.... racks weren't made to go 225,000 miles or 13 years on a car without service... That truly helped the most of my car...

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 03:47 PM

Yeah I saw yur post when I did a search. Alright so I'll save up for tires and try again lol. Thanks for all the help guys.

Quick non-urgent question,

any reason why my steering wheel doesn't sit a 12 o'clock even when my wheels are pointed that way? Stays at like 1 o'clock until I point it straight lol...it was this way b4 and after the alignment. I've never had the steering wheel taken off during my ownership

wht240sx · 12-18-2008, 04:02 PM

If your steering wheel is off center after they adjusted everything, sounds like you got a crappy alignment. take it back a complain, they will be forced to fix it. where did u get it done???

veeates36 · 12-18-2008, 04:11 PM

I'm not trying to thread jack but can anyone tell me more about this TSB Spring issue..? Thank you

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 04:26 PM

No prob..think slider2828 made a thread for it...search for threads under his name...I seen a couple threads on that topic and pretty sure he posted in em. If not his sig and avatar looks very familiar lol

brett-hancock · 12-18-2008, 04:52 PM

Man what you need to do is go back to the place that aligned it, if it's a tire shop, tell em what it's doin (by the way it's prolly 90% tires - 10% alignment thats causin it) buy new tires get em mounted an balanced, then nicely ask them if they could put it back on the rack an check everything over!
EDIT: Also if they say they cant align it because of your aftermarket wheels, you should find some tires for your stock wheels that are exactly the same height as your aftermarkets. Mount those up, then they should have no problem!!! But if you do this, it's essential to make sure that the tires on the stockers are the exact same height as the ones on your aftermarkets!!!

veeates36 · 12-18-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s13pignose

No prob..think slider2828 made a thread for it...search for threads under his name...I seen a couple threads on that topic and pretty sure he posted in em. If not his sig and avatar looks very familiar lol

Will do, thank you very much.

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett-hancock

Man what you need to do is go back to the place that aligned it, if it's a tire shop, tell em what it's doin (by the way it's prolly 90% tires - 10% alignment thats causin it) buy new tires get em mounted an balanced, then nicely ask them if they could put it back on the rack an check everything over!

Yeah plan to get tires from em then mounted and balanced. try to keep it all at one place and explain my problem hopefully they can point me in the right direction

***S14DB*** · 12-18-2008, 05:12 PM

What is your Toe and Caster after you got it aligned?

ixfxi · 12-18-2008, 07:30 PM

first of all, you should know your alignment specs. if you havent aligned the car, you should have that done and keep them with your records. so get that out of the way if you havent already done so.

second, i am going to say that its a matter of balancing. rebalance the front wheels, thats where your problem is unless you have warped rotors or some other issue.

i changed the steering rack spring, i remember it being an easy fix and helping, but ultimately the problem is tire balancing.

ps: dont drive on your belts, its not good for your health or anyone else on the road.

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 08:19 PM

To be honest I didn't get the specs back. Never thought of it..I just let them do what they do expecting them to try and get it as close to factory as possible.

This spring TSB is only for s13correct?

Also I got better tires on my stock wheels...they seem to have worn decently even but 2 out of the 4 have slight less tread height than the others..so I assume they were on the rear. Might try putting them on this weekend if dry out side and see if it makes a diff.

My tires on my 16x8's which I'm currently riding on are the ones of concerend lol. Looked at the fronts tonight, and tread height goes from high to low from left to right. And almost no tread on the right. Should also note the wheels currently on the front used to be in the back.

slider2828 · 12-18-2008, 08:47 PM

In general S13, but it doesn't work... Its bs...

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wht240sx

If your steering wheel is off center after they adjusted everything, sounds like you got a crappy alignment. take it back a complain, they will be forced to fix it. where did u get it done???

is this the only possibility..don't wanna go back point fingers and be wrong. Shop normally does good work

slider2828 · 12-18-2008, 10:59 PM

^^ Yes their alignment sucks redo!.... + They should have warranty on their alignment.

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 11:11 PM

Dang lol...alright gonna double check and see how my wheels line up with the steering wheel in the morn...if not right I'll take the car back to em

s13pignose · 12-18-2008, 11:23 PM

Edit..i couldn't wait til morning cause this is annoying me too much.

Heres the thing with the wheel at 1' oclock the wheels are straight. Whether a 100% perfectly straight I dunno. I can postion the steering wheel at 12 o clock and the wheels will look straight too. I also tried shaking the steering wheel back and forth a lil to see how soon it responds to movement, and seems to be like a lil play or slack in it if you will but not much. Also the car seems to wanna relax if you will. in the 1 o'clock postion when I park the car...like its a natural setting for it or something.

I think I just need to go back and have em look at it, cause I know you gus can only offer but so much help without the car being infront of you.

Thanks

Mathetai · 12-18-2008, 11:34 PM

Aftermarket wheels? Maybe you need hub-centric rings.

slider2828 · 12-18-2008, 11:47 PM

nissans are lug centric, so dun worry too much about hubcentric unless its really off....

Check your wheel bearings... I had a WHOLE thread on SHIMMies an exact way how you fix it.... look it up

12-17-2008, 10:36 PM	#1
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	50+mph steering shimmy...s14 I got wheel shimmy left to right around 50-60mph. I just got new inner tie rods and outer ends along with stock tension rods with good bushings put on Tuesday, and then alignment done afterwards. All was good the evening I got the car back out the shop, but the wheel shimmy came back yesteday(wed). I'm pretty frustrated as what to do next. I know my tires have worn irregular I'm sure, since I lowered my car summer before last and hadn't got an alignment till now. So maybe just a balance and new tires is in order..def new tires since tread bars are showing. But what else could it be...I've read similar threads on here people say wheel bearings possible- but I hear no noise like howling or anything. Also read ball joints possible too. Neither have been replaced since I've owned the car for about 3 years now. Any help is appreciated..if I had the money I'd replace all my suspension lol

12-17-2008, 10:49 PM	#2
s13 @ fullboost Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: St.Petersburg,FL Posts: 2,549 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	Check your lugs bro haha just kidding Well I hope they didn't come loose that fast but anyways If I were you I would jack the car up and take a good look if anything looks out of place,broken,not installed correctly ext. That is a good place to start __________________

12-18-2008, 12:05 AM	#9
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	tires... for sure.... __________________ Turn and Burn!

12-18-2008, 10:03 AM	#13
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Yes the tech bulletin is changing the preload steering rack spring.... I did, it was useless.... Waste of time was of money.... If you change the tires and that is not the problem.... GOD GET A NEW RACK.... racks weren't made to go 225,000 miles or 13 years on a car without service... That truly helped the most of my car... __________________ Turn and Burn!

12-18-2008, 04:11 PM	#16
veeates36 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: reseda ca Posts: 1,041 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	I'm not trying to thread jack but can anyone tell me more about this TSB Spring issue..? Thank you __________________ Zombi_Army... Coming Soon

12-17-2008, 10:56 PM	#3
mxexux Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SoCal 949 Posts: 363 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	If its only when you are going over 50 mph then I would confidently say that it is a balance issue. Also if your brake rotors are warped it would also cause this sort of vibration. Does your brake pedal pulsate when you apply the brakes coming off the freeway?

12-17-2008, 11:16 PM	#4
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Nah brakes seem to be okay...never had an issue from em. When the tires on currently on my stock wheels were put on new, that took care of the shimmy for a short while too, but it came back like a week later. Then again didn't have all this new suspension I put on the other day. Maybe new tires and balance again will work for good this time around I hope. Next I want steering rack bushins I think..something stiffer like nismo or poly or combo of the two

12-17-2008, 11:32 PM	#5
bl3ujay07 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: norcal(209) and socal(805) Posts: 691 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	My brother had same issue with his acura tl. anything over 60, his steering wheel starts to shake a bit, less smother. Got tires balanced and it was good. Hope it helps. I think balancing is the first and easiest way to go.

12-17-2008, 11:42 PM	#6
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Question is should I try balance even though I know the wires are showing tread bars...or wait ride out the shimmy till I have money for new tires and a balance?

12-17-2008, 11:48 PM	#7
wht240sx Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: grand jct Age: 39 Posts: 40 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Just because tires look round, it doesnt mean they are. A perfectly balanced rim and tire could still cause a vibration. Road Force Vibration. Since your tires are worn to the wear indicators start by replacing them and dont waste your money on balancing them.

12-18-2008, 01:43 AM	#11
lflkajfj12123 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 　　　　　　　　 Posts: 8,483 Trader Rating: (20) Feedback Score: 20 reviews	look at your subframe (crossmember) see if its bent AT ALL

12-18-2008, 03:47 PM	#14
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Yeah I saw yur post when I did a search. Alright so I'll save up for tires and try again lol. Thanks for all the help guys. Quick non-urgent question, any reason why my steering wheel doesn't sit a 12 o'clock even when my wheels are pointed that way? Stays at like 1 o'clock until I point it straight lol...it was this way b4 and after the alignment. I've never had the steering wheel taken off during my ownership

12-18-2008, 04:02 PM	#15
wht240sx Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: grand jct Age: 39 Posts: 40 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	If your steering wheel is off center after they adjusted everything, sounds like you got a crappy alignment. take it back a complain, they will be forced to fix it. where did u get it done???

12-18-2008, 04:26 PM	#17
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	No prob..think slider2828 made a thread for it...search for threads under his name...I seen a couple threads on that topic and pretty sure he posted in em. If not his sig and avatar looks very familiar lol

12-18-2008, 04:52 PM	#18
brett-hancock Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WFO Motorsports - WAKU WAKU SAN!!! Posts: 49 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Man what you need to do is go back to the place that aligned it, if it's a tire shop, tell em what it's doin (by the way it's prolly 90% tires - 10% alignment thats causin it) buy new tires get em mounted an balanced, then nicely ask them if they could put it back on the rack an check everything over! EDIT: Also if they say they cant align it because of your aftermarket wheels, you should find some tires for your stock wheels that are exactly the same height as your aftermarkets. Mount those up, then they should have no problem!!! But if you do this, it's essential to make sure that the tires on the stockers are the exact same height as the ones on your aftermarkets!!! Last edited by brett-hancock; 12-19-2008 at 07:54 PM.. Reason: more info

12-18-2008, 05:12 PM	#21
*S14DB* AFC #1 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 昨晩あなたのお母さんの家 Posts: 20,181 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	What is your Toe and Caster after you got it aligned? __________________ Comments should be taken as Opinions not as Statements of Fact

12-18-2008, 07:30 PM	#22
ixfxi Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangin on my chest Account: BANNED #fucksupreme Age: 82 Posts: 5,932 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	first of all, you should know your alignment specs. if you havent aligned the car, you should have that done and keep them with your records. so get that out of the way if you havent already done so. second, i am going to say that its a matter of balancing. rebalance the front wheels, thats where your problem is unless you have warped rotors or some other issue. i changed the steering rack spring, i remember it being an easy fix and helping, but ultimately the problem is tire balancing. ps: dont drive on your belts, its not good for your health or anyone else on the road.

12-18-2008, 08:19 PM	#23
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	To be honest I didn't get the specs back. Never thought of it..I just let them do what they do expecting them to try and get it as close to factory as possible. This spring TSB is only for s13correct? Also I got better tires on my stock wheels...they seem to have worn decently even but 2 out of the 4 have slight less tread height than the others..so I assume they were on the rear. Might try putting them on this weekend if dry out side and see if it makes a diff. My tires on my 16x8's which I'm currently riding on are the ones of concerend lol. Looked at the fronts tonight, and tread height goes from high to low from left to right. And almost no tread on the right. Should also note the wheels currently on the front used to be in the back.

12-18-2008, 08:47 PM	#24
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	In general S13, but it doesn't work... Its bs... __________________ Turn and Burn!

12-18-2008, 10:59 PM	#26
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	^^ Yes their alignment sucks redo!.... + They should have warranty on their alignment. __________________ Turn and Burn!

12-18-2008, 11:11 PM	#27
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Dang lol...alright gonna double check and see how my wheels line up with the steering wheel in the morn...if not right I'll take the car back to em

12-18-2008, 11:23 PM	#28
s13pignose Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,324 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Edit..i couldn't wait til morning cause this is annoying me too much. Heres the thing with the wheel at 1' oclock the wheels are straight. Whether a 100% perfectly straight I dunno. I can postion the steering wheel at 12 o clock and the wheels will look straight too. I also tried shaking the steering wheel back and forth a lil to see how soon it responds to movement, and seems to be like a lil play or slack in it if you will but not much. Also the car seems to wanna relax if you will. in the 1 o'clock postion when I park the car...like its a natural setting for it or something. I think I just need to go back and have em look at it, cause I know you gus can only offer but so much help without the car being infront of you. Thanks

12-18-2008, 11:34 PM	#29
Mathetai BANNED Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SOCAL <///>< Age: 42 Posts: 1,193 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	Aftermarket wheels? Maybe you need hub-centric rings.

12-18-2008, 11:47 PM	#30
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	nissans are lug centric, so dun worry too much about hubcentric unless its really off.... Check your wheel bearings... I had a WHOLE thread on SHIMMies an exact way how you fix it.... look it up __________________ Turn and Burn!