I need some help people My 1996 nissan maxima streering wheel starts to shake like crazy when I hit 60 mph and wont stop until I hit like 90 mph. I took it to the tire shop and got new tires and balance them and it still happens I have 18" chrome rims on it which I think is the problem but need someone else advise, because Im about to new 18" rims. Should I go with a smaller rim like a 17" or is it just that the rims that I have on it right know suck. I have maxspeed springs and KYB AGX. here is the web site so you can see what kind of rims I have.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/anaconda2323

 

Check your axels for play.
Check your hub and your wheels for trueness.

Jack up the wheel and spin it, watch the tread very carefully from straight on. It should run completely straight with no wobble at all. If thats all smooth, then definately axel related.

 

here are couple of possibilities

1) did you have the shake on original rims/tires, if you didn't then it's the rims/tires combinatin, if you did then it could be couple of things, but the most probable one is your wheel bearing, but not likely, they usually make nasty noises when they start to go

2) how respectible is the shop that balanced your rims?

3) not all tire balancing machines are created equal, there are some that just spin and sense where there is an imbalance and tell the mechanic where to put the weight. this is the most commong and not a very accurate one.
there is another balancing machine that works extremely well, it has a sand paper roller that it applies to the tire and senses not just the imbalance of the rim (weight imbalance) but it also senses hard/soft/irregular spots on the tire that can also cause vibration and tell the mechanic which is the optimal place to put the weights.

good luck

Konstantin

 

1- All the above
2- Are you using hubcentric rings?

If you suspect balancing, check the machine . . .
Get them balanced on a Hunter GSP9700 machine. It uses 'Road Force Measurement' to check if the rim is within spec, and the tire. Even better, ask 'em if they have the "StraightTrak LFM" system installed on their 9700. With StraightTrak, it will tell them:
a. Out-of-round, or bent rim (lateral and radial rim runout)
b. If tire needs to be shifted around to match the high spot on the tire to the low spot on the rim.
c. If the tire is conical, causing pulls and vibration.
d. Exactly where to place the weights
e. If the tire pressure is incorrect
The StraightTrak provides the installer with a view-screen graphic of where to mount each wheel/tire (LF,RF,LR,RR) for optimal 'Least Tire Pull' and 'Least Vibration' . . . and usually these two are different.

Good Luck

 

Does it get alot worse when under accelleration?

Can you hear a very quite (you have to listen for it) whirring sound when on the freeway coming from what sounds like your tires?

If BOTH of these are true, it's the inboard CV Joint, most likely driver's side, which has been the case for a few of us with Sprint Springs, and I believe maxspeeds are the same (or about the same) drop...