5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

The Max is SHAKING...what is going on??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:04 PM
  #1  
TitaniuMax03's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 774
The Max is SHAKING...what is going on??

Well at first I thought it was cuz my wheels werent balanced..when I would start accelerating at around 40-45mph the car would start shaking, more like it was coming from the front end of the car...I can literally see my hood moving up and down and my steering wheel vibrates like hell from left to right..well I recently put new wheels on the Max, thinkin the shaking would be gone..but low and behold its still there, but its not as bad, and this time it only happens when Im up around 55-60mph accelerating...can anyone elaborate on my problem?
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:06 PM
  #2  
NYPD-Arnold's Avatar
Z
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,818
Sounds like a cylinder misfire? If it is indeed as bad as you say it is.
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:13 PM
  #3  
jeepik's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,232
Originally Posted by NYPD-Arnold
Sounds like a cylinder misfire? If it is indeed as bad as you say it is.

hahaha...thats aboout the funniest thing i have heard today
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:14 PM
  #4  
jeepik's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,232
Originally Posted by TitaniuMax03
Well at first I thought it was cuz my wheels werent balanced..when I would start accelerating at around 40-45mph the car would start shaking, more like it was coming from the front end of the car...I can literally see my hood moving up and down and my steering wheel vibrates like hell from left to right..well I recently put new wheels on the Max, thinkin the shaking would be gone..but low and behold its still there, but its not as bad, and this time it only happens when Im up around 55-60mph accelerating...can anyone elaborate on my problem?
i would check to see if the wheel/tire combo may be out of round, the ymay be balance perfectly but if it is out of round then the vibration could be caused by that
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:21 PM
  #5  
TitaniuMax03's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 774
Originally Posted by jeepik
i would check to see if the wheel/tire combo may be out of round, the ymay be balance perfectly but if it is out of round then the vibration could be caused by that
is that possible? cause the wheels I put on are the 6th gen wheels/tires..the tires are basically still brand new...prolly less than 10k on the wheels/tires..and I had these same wheels on 2 years ago and took them off..no problems back than
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:24 PM
  #6  
04BlackMaxx's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
Most people dont even know they have a cylinder misfiring at first, let alone have the whole car shake apart
Old Aug 18, 2006 | 01:56 PM
  #7  
VaporHead
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I would look at wheel bearings or axles, but if it's shaking like it's gonna come apart, sounds like somethin more serious. My right front bearing is going out so I get a vibration in the wheel but nothing l like you say you got.
Old Aug 19, 2006 | 06:49 AM
  #8  
imported_black_tl's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 75
mine was vibrating bad at around the same speed but when I took my foot off the gas and I took it to a shop and they turned the rotors. Runs great now.
Old Aug 19, 2006 | 07:40 AM
  #9  
Jaws's Avatar
Donating Maxima.org Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 787
Originally Posted by TitaniuMax03
is that possible? cause the wheels I put on are the 6th gen wheels/tires..the tires are basically still brand new...prolly less than 10k on the wheels/tires..and I had these same wheels on 2 years ago and took them off..no problems back than
6th gen rims/tires are notorious for being difficult to balance. The 18" Eagle RS-As have issus. IMO there's a problem with a tire or you've lost a wheel weight. Try rotating the tires back to front to see if there's a change.
Old Aug 19, 2006 | 07:52 AM
  #10  
NYPD-Arnold's Avatar
Z
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,818
Originally Posted by jeepik
hahaha...thats aboout the funniest thing i have heard today
I don't know. He made it seem like his front end was jumping on hydrolics -- which is sort of what happens when your coil pack goes.
Old Aug 19, 2006 | 09:31 AM
  #11  
TitaniuMax03's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 774
okay well let me elaborate a little bit..the hood doesnt shake up and down like its about to come open..but more like you can see the damn thing vibrating along with the car...

I dont think its the 6th gen wheels..cuz it was doing the same with my Stock TE wheels...even after I rotated the tires...
Old Aug 19, 2006 | 10:42 AM
  #12  
solidus2's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 19
when my car was shaking it was because of a faulty sparkplug although probably yours is some other problem.
Old Aug 20, 2006 | 07:18 AM
  #13  
kenny's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 278
If it were a sparkplug or engine problem, you will experience the shaking even at lower speeds. TO me, it seems like a wheel/rim problem, which is easily magnified when the car runs at higher speeds. Also, there is a TSB on hood flutter with the 5.5 gens, but it is an easy cured.
Old Aug 20, 2006 | 07:33 AM
  #14  
paulfromchicago's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by TitaniuMax03
okay well let me elaborate a little bit..the hood doesnt shake up and down like its about to come open..but more like you can see the damn thing vibrating along with the car...

I dont think its the 6th gen wheels..cuz it was doing the same with my Stock TE wheels...even after I rotated the tires...
i don't know if you've already done this but when i had a similar problem, i was told to do a high-speed balance (the place i got my new tires from only balanced them up to 60MPH).
Old Aug 20, 2006 | 08:39 AM
  #15  
PAREDLINE's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,205
My friend. I can almost bet that you have a bad tie rod end. If its not your brake rotors its most likely a tie rod end. The way to check this is to jack up one wheel at a time. Put your hand around the tie rod. Ask a friend to try and turn the wheel with his or her hand rapidly back and forth (if you have friends- considering most .org people dont). Maybe you can rent a friend or pay a homeless guy $3 to help you out.

I'm just kidding.

Anyway with your hand over the joint see if you feel any play at all inside the joint. If you feel none at all then your tie rod end is ok. If you feel even a little bit of movement, change that tie rod. Some mechanics will say "oh it just moves a little. not bad at all" and to not change it. What these morons dont understand is that micrometer of movement is transmitted through your entire steering system and vibrates everything.

if your tie rod ends are ok, check the ball joints. Instead of trying to move the wheels back and forth from the sides, move your hands from top to bottom while putting your hand around the ball joint as best you can.

Oh yeah wearing gloves would be a good idea. wouldnt want to pinch your skin in a tie rod end or ball joint.

If you cant find the source you might want to get it diagnosed before something really important breaks.
Old Aug 20, 2006 | 12:36 PM
  #16  
TitaniuMax03's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 774
Originally Posted by PAREDLINE
My friend. I can almost bet that you have a bad tie rod end. If its not your brake rotors its most likely a tie rod end. The way to check this is to jack up one wheel at a time. Put your hand around the tie rod. Ask a friend to try and turn the wheel with his or her hand rapidly back and forth (if you have friends- considering most .org people dont). Maybe you can rent a friend or pay a homeless guy $3 to help you out.

I'm just kidding.

Anyway with your hand over the joint see if you feel any play at all inside the joint. If you feel none at all then your tie rod end is ok. If you feel even a little bit of movement, change that tie rod. Some mechanics will say "oh it just moves a little. not bad at all" and to not change it. What these morons dont understand is that micrometer of movement is transmitted through your entire steering system and vibrates everything.

if your tie rod ends are ok, check the ball joints. Instead of trying to move the wheels back and forth from the sides, move your hands from top to bottom while putting your hand around the ball joint as best you can.

Oh yeah wearing gloves would be a good idea. wouldnt want to pinch your skin in a tie rod end or ball joint.

If you cant find the source you might want to get it diagnosed before something really important breaks.

thanx for your input...I'll try this out...
Old Aug 20, 2006 | 05:22 PM
  #17  
sandcobra164's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Well, I'd have to lean toward wheel bearings since he has ALOT of feedback through the steering wheel. These cars have a good power steering system with lots of dampening to help mask the torque steer. If he's feeling it, I'd bet wheel bearings since alot of 5.5 gen owners seem to have it. Good Luck!!!
Old Aug 21, 2006 | 01:33 AM
  #18  
† ErV †
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
axles would be my guess if it happens when you hit the gas
Old Aug 21, 2006 | 01:43 AM
  #19  
MrGone's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 40,646
From: 127.0.0.1
Originally Posted by † ErV †
axles would be my guess if it happens when you hit the gas
bingo

or allignment


or ~400whp
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
litch
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
123
Jan 4, 2024 07:01 PM
BPuff57
Advanced Suspension, Chassis, and Braking
33
Apr 16, 2020 05:15 AM
magiconthetire
Audio and Electronics
2
Oct 26, 2015 09:03 PM
maxima297
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
4
Sep 30, 2015 03:32 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:13 PM.