I've been searching for this problem but I'm not sure much people have this same problem as I do.. I just purchased my 5.5 gen maxima, its my first car and I've been waiting for years to get one. I finally get one the car runs fine!. Until I take it above 45 MPH..

It's very hard to explain but to put it as simple as possible on a straight smooth road as soon as i pass 45 MPH it feels like the right front wheels is on a really bumpy road like a test track but I dont feel it in the steering wheel.

I'm guessing its the shock but I just want to see if any one has any clues if its anything more. I know I need to replace my shocks because I get a harsh ride on slightly bumpy road and you can hear the noise from the shock.

 

It could be anything. I doubt it's the strut though.

 

The problem only happens when I reach over 45, I tried to take it past 45 this morning I got up to 55 and got back off because I dont want to damage anything else. I have yet to take it on the highway. I only had the car for a day.

 

bent rim ?

 

Dont think so or else i would be getting it at low speeds as well i would feel it on the steering wheel more or less

 

Bent rim is a good idea. Chris is right though. Could be anything. Check if the tire wear is even. Perhaps rotate the tires and see if the feeling is the same. When the wheel is off just look and feel around.

 

Tomorrow I have to jack up the car and take off the wheel and get a good look to see if its anything noticeably wrong or worn because the problem only occurs on the right front. Could it be the axle? Are their any ways to tell if it could be the axles

 

Luckily for me, I have not yet had to experience bad axles. However, I believe they are known to make a clicking or ticking type sound.

 

Actually, about a year ago my buddy had a truck with similar symptoms you are describing. I think it was the outer tie rod. Check for play.

 

Swap the tires from to rear and see how it drives.

 

It could be that either the tire is out of balance, or even more unusual but known to happen, the radial belts in the tire can become warped and cause that type of vibration. Dunlops are especially known for this. Ask me how I know: I once rebalanced my tires 3 times and ultimately replaced the entire front suspension on my BMW before I found out about such phenomenon.

 

^ Damn, thats a lesson learned the hard way.

 

Snow packed into the wheel can do the same thing, but I don't think there is snow in most of the US at the moment.

 

go get it balanced. make sure you tell the tech that you just bought thecar so there is a possibility some moron put fix a flat in it and did not drive it after to spread that gooey garbage around the inside of your tire.

and definitely take the car over 45 mph on the test drive of your next purchase

 

So I didn't get time to jack up my car today and check for play for swap front and rear wheels, but I did do some driving and found out that after I pass about 65 MPH the vibration stops, but its only coming from the right front and it feels as though I'm on a bumpy road on the one wheel, I dont feel it on the steering wheel.

I found this out today after a nice run to 125 against a VR6, And even at 125 the car feel smooth and no noise or vibration, only when i get back down to 45-60 front the right front.

 

Wheel balance is off.

 

I dont get this problem at any other speed so I hope its just the wheel balance being off, although I am replacing the front ends soon.

 

Had a similar issue. Vibration from 65-80 with 70mph being the worst. Was totally fine above and below those speeds. Took 10 weights to correct 95% of the problem. I still have a slight vibration so I think the 5% is the tire. Look on tirerack for tire installers and find an installer that has a Hunter Wheel Balancer. It's the best wheel balancer on the market. Then take it to that garage and tell them you have vibrations at 45mph.

 

It sounds like a rastaman vibration to me...

 

Tire or rim issue. I have the same problem on my Maxima between 60MPH and 75MPH. At all other speeds it is fine. It is a bent rim, but I'm not paying to straighten it because the vibration is barely noticeable.

Switch your wheels and you'll verify it pretty quickly.

 

My wheel feel like it wants to fly off the car Lol. Also do you feel the vibration on your steering wheel? I feel nothing on my steering wheel when I'm doing 45 and its shaking the car but I can feel it coming from the front right only.