Steering wheel vibrates for about 5-8 seconds and then stops for about 10 seconds and then vibrates again when I reach highway speeds of 70 mph or higher. This cycle is continuous until I drop below 70 mph and then it instantly stops. Literally driving me nuts.....

All tires are inflated to proper pressure, tread is good, just had them rotated, stock 15" rims and 205 tire size.....still the vibration at 70mph and higher. At normal city driving, the car does pull to the right a little bit when I let go of the steering wheel.

Was wondering if anyone has experienced this or any idea where to start before I start throwing money at the repair garages. Should I start with getting all the tires balanced and then a front end alignment? What about a rear end alignment?

Thanks....

 

yeah sounds like you need to get your tires balanced to get rid of the steering wheel shake at around 70.. a good balanced tire will have the weights on the inside and outside of the rim.. having them on inside only is still good but not as "true" of a balance as both.. then the alignment will fix the pull to the right, and keep a even wear on your tires..

 

depending where you live, make sure you don't have any snow or ice build up on the rim, that will make it shake...

 

Front end alignment, rotors are warped, or tires need balanced

 

yeah it look like you need a front end alighment and get tires balanced,and about the rear end alighment i heard on maximas they dont do rear end,correct me guys if im wrong.

 

the rear doesnt have camber, but you can still do toe and caster

 

I get the same **** problem. My steering wheel shakes over 70 mph and it shaker more when makeing right turn.

 

The rear does have negative camber, but it's not adjustable. Nothing is adjustable on the rear.

Anyway, start by getting your tires road force balanced and runout compensated on one of these babies: www.gsp9700.com

 

I had the same thing happen to me 2 years ago, anything over 70 would make my steering wheel vibrate pretty good. All that was wrong is I needed a alignment and balance of my tires. After I had that done, no problemo!

 

when you get the balancing done, make sure they do a dynamic balancing, not just static. Dynamic balance takes into account weight variations of the tire across its width and its circumference.

rotor, worn outer CV's, bad tire (might not be round, broken belt inside) and alignment as metioned above could all be possibilities....but a balancing and alignment is the best place to start as you didn't complain about pulsing brakes. A bad tire can be found if the shop has a balance machine with a "road load" simulator on it....a big wheel that presses against the tire as it spins in the balance machine.

good luck

 

I took a look on all 4 wheels and I found damage like this. I dont even know whet it happened.



Are there any chance to fix it??

 

I agree wheel balance, and alignment. In one rear instance, it was a badly bent rim, that balancing could not fix.... but they should be able to tell you that when you go for the balancing...... and in response to the previous comment of the rotors.... it would only vibrate when you brake, and you would feel it thru the whole car - mine were warped before, and it sucks a$$

 

good luck on this one, last i checked this was an ongoing "gotta live with it" thing with the maxima. I hear u can get it close, but not perfect (per the threads i've read on this subject)

 

Oh damn. Your bent rim(s) are the source of your problem for sure

 

I have had the same problem which balancing and alignment have not solved that yet.
I read in a thread that bad rack and pinion or bad wheel bearing can cause vibration too. So I am going to have them checked next months probably.

 

yeah a warped rotor you will only feel when you have your foot on the brakes.. youll feel it in the pedal and also in the steering wheel.. depending on how bad they are warped.. just replaced mine since they were warped.. a whole lot better now..

 

ahh well i woudl the mounts do this.. cause i think my mounts are goign bad.. cause my tires are balanced perfectly... and alignment is good but... its a bit shaky past 75.. and sometimes it would be fine.. i think its the mounts...

 

what mounts?? motor mounts??

 

i had the problem before, changed the tires and the problem was solved. I needed new tires anyway, so it was a good opportunity to change em.

 

Homer if it was the mounts,the alighment guy would always tell you that your mounts are bad

 

I hope you mean the strut mounts

 

yes strut..
well my alignment if off a bit i guess.. whatever i gotta change the mounts.. any place to get them cheap..?

 

I spoke with njmax99seltd. His impression was simple: my rack and pinion were shot. I am having it repalced this upcoming weekend and I will advise as to the result. I am having the same problem as you, and it has persisted through NEW tires (and the requisite balancing) multiple alignments, etc.

As for those who say it is a "problem to live with"... You may be right. My friend got an 04 Acura TL as a courtesy car while his 03 was in the shop. It had the SAME problem, with much less mileage than my Max, of course. That doesnt take into consideration that it may have needed a banlance and/or alignment, though...

 

How hard to replace the rack and pinion?