As you will prolly recall my new-to-me 98 max SE 5spd with 40k miles has a noticeable shake. Actually, i think i'll call it a jitter. and it's everything, steering wheel, seats, floorpan etc. I've determined it's present at all speeds with amplitude increasing periodically as speed varies. It's largely repeatable at the speeds i notice it the most. IOWs, i can expect it to occur at known speeds. (Resonance must come into play).

I don't think the car has been in a frontal collision in it's three year life as i can't find signs of paintwork in front. The drivers side rear qtr has been painted, however, which I pray is not contributory.

Funny, but, i've put about 1500 miles on this car, including driving her from NY to CT on int84 when i first bought her and i didn't notice this shake. So, i'd like to believe its just starting now.

Anyway, this is what i've done thus far:

Balanced all 4 wheels. The tire shop checked for excessive runout on all the tires and that was negative.

There must be a suspension component like a strut or ball-joint beginning to fail. How do I check these parts?

And, what else should i check for? THANKS!

 

Drive at a speed which makes this jitter prominent. Shift to neutral and turn off the ignition. If the jitter goes away it is related to the engine or engine-driven accessories. If it remains it is related to a vehicle part not in the engine.

Does your Maxima have aftermarket wheels? Some aftermarket wheels require centering rings and if those have been lost the wheels will not run true.

If the jitter in the steering wheel is left-to-right there might be excessive play in the tie rod ends or ball joints.

Consider a bad wheel bearing, a bad inner CV joint, or a bad right-hand axle support bearing.

 

THe wheels are stock SE 16 inchers.

I'll do the drivetrain isolation test today.

Oh, yeah, she drifts to the left as well.

The tire pressures are set to factory specs, they're all the same brand (cooper - BLECH) and mileage.

I wonder if an incorrect alignment can also cause this jittery feel? i've had a mechanic suggest this to me in the past, but, i don't understand how it can.

What else can cause the drift? It will pull against the crown in the road, so i know it's something with the car. Any thoughts?

thanks

 

mine pulls to the left too, it seems like a lot of people have that pulling to the left problem. i would really like to fix it. although it did save me one day. i was tired and dozed off and it pulled me away from other traffic on the mass pike and onto those road cut out that scare the **** out of you and wake your @ss up.

 

Hmm, an out of alignment car as a safety feature. Interesting.

 

 

I don't understand it either.

Wheel alignment has three aspects: caster, camber, and toe. On a stock Maxima only toe is adjustable. Your car may be out of spec on caster or camber due to collision damage. Even though caster and camber are not adjustable, the alignment machine would reveal that problem.

One weak spring can cause drift. A good alignment man starts the job by setting all tire pressures to spec and measuring ride height at all four corners. If he did this he would have discovered the weak spring.

Please exchange your two front wheels. If the drift is now to the right you know the tires are to blame.