So here is my problem: My car has 160k on it and it vibrates like crazy at interstate speeds. It also pulls to the right and I wear the inner edge of my front tires like crazy. These problems have persisted through multiple alignments and balances. I am now showing cords on one tire while there is significant tread on the rest of it.

I just dropped it off at the shop, and I am trying to get prepared for whatever they tell me. They are thinking the struts are worn out and/or the tie rods are worn. I put on KYB AGX shocks/struts roughly 100k ago. Should they be worn out? I believe they have a lifetime warranty. Anyone have any experience with this? What about tie rods? The tech also mentioned something about having wider tires putting extra stress on the suspension? Anyway, any advice would be appreciated and I will update this post tomorrow with whatever they try to sell me...

 

Well AGXs are not going to last forever....I really wouldnt be surprized it there are worn out and blown....also your tie rods most likely are bad as well....

also what brand tires do you have? Reason I ask it because cheaper tires are going to have more noise and vibration. Bigger wheels and tires are going to make you feel more of the road then stock...along with the struts.

 

I have General Grabbers but this problem goes all the way to my last set of tires which were Falkens. I am pretty sure it's not a tire/wheel problem because the problem does not change at all when I have my tires rotated.

 

Could be a bent rim. Also, the mechanic is semi-correct. Adding heavier wheels increases unsprung weight and wears out all suspension components faster.

 

heh, i've replaced all of my suspension components, balanced/rotated tires, and i still get some shakes past 60, and pulls to the right. Numerous allignments haven't helped. I'm just living with it.

 

Well I just picked my car up from the shop. The guy there said that he did not see anything in the suspension that was worn too bad and he thinks it's just the tires that are causing the vibration. He said I could probably replace the struts/tie rods but they were not bad enough for him to recommend it. He did recommended Nankang tires since they are the cheapest. Has anyone used these before?

 

I had similar problems, i replaced the inner and outer tierods, lower control arm bushings, balljoints, rack and pinion boots, swaybar bushings, tokico blues w/springs 1.75" drop, strut tower bearings. Had spun a bearing on the left side so i had to replace the hub at 150 bones. So i replaced bearings on both sides. Installed cammed bottom bolts for the struts. Cost me about 750 bones total. I have about 20k on my new suspension and corners well.

Tires will always wear on the inside because you run negative camber in front and in back.

I have a problem with tire chop, makes tires noisy, cant figure out why. Alignment is within stock specs. Running bfg's on it.

 

You already said the problem existed with the Falkens also prob not the tires, don't give up. Old tires and new ones properly ballanced? Check your bearings and hubs(like tbergma1 talked bout) Nangkangs are good for the money. I had a set on my 04 spec, and they lasted about 8 or 9 k. Iwas always,ALWAYS smoking them also, so I think they held up well.

 

Also, i have run across some out of round tires or buldges. This usually happens when you buy cheap tires.

 

First do a high speed balance on all 4 wheels and alignment.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=541890

 

Check your ball joints. Mine wore out at 120k with tie wear as you describe. Also tie rod ends.