How does a rear shimmy manifest itself? Never heard of this before.

 

Ok lobewiper, the rear vibrations travels to the front and you can feel it from the steering wheel. When you brake, you can tell it's from the rear. It almost felt like it it's from the front wheels, but I can tell the difference, because my front rotors were just replaced and front wheels felt very stable.

Well now you know if you never heard of this before. Also I know what I'm talking about. This is not my first brand new maxima. See my home page ....

 

UPDATE: Took my car in to have them check the rotors in the rear and they turned out to be warped. Parts on order. I will not be suprised if the 04's get recalled for bad rotors.

 

Experienced it for the first time this morning. It was around 36 degrees and the car had sat outside for about 15 hours. The steering wheel was "shimmying" for a few miles and then it went away. It was not exhibited at all on the return trip 2.5 hours later. Only have about 150 miles on the odo at this point.

BTW, that heated steering wheel is a really nice feature even on a mild morning like this. And, it warms up a lot faster than the heated seats which seem to be pretty weak in that regard.

 

Hmm... bad rotors... since I am due for an oil change this month, I will inquire about this, and have them check my rotors.

 

You are experiencing tire flat-spotting. Look here...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...atspotting.htm

 

why are you certain that 's his shimmy problem? the dealer told me my car was built like one year ago and it was parked for too long and that could be a reason why my rotors warped, also another person said that stepping on the brake too hard can heat the rotors up too much and warp them. I have experienced the shimmy, but i'm getting better results from replacing my rotors. i had no problems with any of my tires. so far everyone has different issues that lead to their shimmy, but you cannot say that tire flat-spotting for sure. none of my previous maximas had shimmy, so if this is the case, then all cars have tire flat-spotting.

 

I think so but to different degrees. Some tires you just don't feel the flat-spotting when you first start to drive like you do on others. Also, the outside temperature has an effect. In the summer, most likely you would not notice flat-spotting as much as in the winter.

If you have a warped rotor, then it will be the same from the time you back out of the garage to when you return. With a tire, you might notice a vibration caused by tire flat-spotting for a few miles until the tires heat up a bit, then everything sould smooth out. I'm on my second Maxima and have never warped the rotors. Folks who warp their rotors must be very rough on their cars. (I consider myself to be an aggressive driver too). Rotors do not warp with the car just sitting on the lot. It takes either a lot of heat build up possibly followed by a rapid cool down (going through a water puddle) or improperly torquing the lug nuts.

 

MaxPilot,
You seems mislead by that TIRERACK article. My shimmy started from day one. This probably happened somewhere between the manufacturer and the delivery point. My tires are perfect and never had a problem. My shimmy is going away by replacing my warped rotors, so i know it's not the tires. Other people here has different possibilites causing their shimmy, so you cannot say flat-spotting, maybe for your car you have a tires issue. Some people replaced rims, tires or get a professional tire balanced and they got away with it, but others are still trying to locate the real problem.

Just to let you know also, i'm driving my 3rd brand new maxima(shimmy) and my previous maximas were 00 5 speed and 01 5 speed and i never had shimmy on either of them. I'm aggressive too. I was a welder and i studied the behavior of metals. I was just explaining what the dealer comments were, about the possiblity of my car sitting in a lot. If nissan does a recall, then we will find out what the real problem is.

 

I honestly think its my rotors that are causing my shimmy. When I brake the shimmy slightly gets worse. I havent been to the dealership yet for any fixes although I know I need some TSBs done.

 

Don't take it personal. I'm just offering a suggestion. I'm not saying that flat-spotting is 100% of his problem. My tires experience flat-spotting for about the first mile or so on my 04 Max so I suspect most other Max's have the same problem... if not other makes of cars all together. I will say that the new 04 exhibits more feed-back through the steering wheel which exacerbates the problem.

 

Well to be sure, when you take your car in have them check if your rotors are round. Mine was way off from the default readings.

 

Not taking it personal. We are all one maxima family.

 

I have an SE and will check it out. If you think about and say that's okay, it sure as hell is unacceptable! I'm sure Nissan will try to weasel out of it.

Maximus Prime

 

Have had mine for a week no shimmy/shake just great...What might help is checking the build date on the problem cars!

 

where is that build date located on my car and when was yours built?

 

Well, after all of my letters etc to BBB and Nissan, the Plant Technician arrived at the dealership to check out my vibrating SE. We went for a good 25 minute test drive where he drove the distance back. He commented on a definite vibration at 68 then 74 then 79 mph. They had my car for the rest of the afternoon. To make a long story "relatively" short, from what the service manager informed me along with the work order, all they did was re-balance the tires (for the 3rd or 4th time in 250 miles), and tell me the tires where within road variance specs. The work order stated nothing about fixing the problem - my first clue... The Nissan Rep even commented how smooth his SE demo was prior to starting work on mine. The service manager informed me from the "post" balance test drive that the rep stated my car was now smoother than his... Well it took all of about 4 minutes for me to get to the freeway from the dealer for my 28 mile commute. Yep, you guessed it, the vibration was still their with a vengeance - no change whats so ever.... Strange how the rep admitted the vibration was present etc but then leave stating it was now great, but with no change....
From what I perceived from the service manager, the rep was more concerned about making his flight out of town rather than finding out what was wrong with my SE (when the simple balancing act didn't work..)
It's now arbitration time I guess.

Anyone else to this point with their shimmy/vibration frustration??

Keep the info coming - good luck all.

 

Rack friction adjustment to the steering wheel corrected the problem I had. Mine was taken back to the plant for inspection and diagnostics. The setting is within specs of the part by the supplier, but not within service specs for the car. That's what I was told. I believe it, because it took care of the shimmy once and for all. This is NOT normal and there is a solution. Have them call the plant; there are some engineers there that know what they did with mine! srm

 

Have them check all four rotors to see if they are round. They may or may not be warped, but this is just a suggestion. My shimmy is gone after replacing all four rotors.

 

Deven/all,
How’s your vibration/shimmy issues? Anyone with it getting any fixes (besides the infamous "rack adjustment")?? I hadn't driven mine on the highway for over a week until today.. Mine still has a strange cyclical shimmy/vibration at about 66-69 then 72-74 then around 79 etc. Literally comes and goes at those speeds. Its enough to shake me, my wrist-watch, and the passenger seat quite well. The Nissan plant rep accomplished nothing besides re-balancing the tires and checking trueness of the rims - third time in 500 miles (only off .5 ounce on 1 tire),,, When they finished he hastily left after saying "all was well now". But no change to the issue.

What do ya think??

 

My shimmy seems to have disappeared... Just got my car back from the dealer and they turned the front rotors... all good now...

 

When I went into the dealership I mentioned the shimmy and he quickly replied, " Whenever a car shakes it means the wheels are not properly balanced. He then told me I had to pay to have that done. I figured it was the rotors because I had the symptoms on my old car for a LONG time. Im in an automotive brakes class right now and nissan isnt a huge help here. I can turn my rotors in the class tonight but would that have any conflict with my warranty?? I think it will get rid of my shimmy.

 

I guess i'm a bit skeptical about turning the rotors and having it fix a shimmy/vibration problem... If your shimmy is when braking then by all means turn the rotors. If not, how is taking a fraction of an inch off the braking surface of the rotor going to "balance" out the rotor??

I observed my front rotors spinning with the wheels off the car, in gear etc with the rotors torqued on. Everything appeared true except for the center hub. The hub had a side to side motion as if where cast about 70-100 thousands of an inch off center. The entire rotor turned true yet the hub looked like it could cause a vibration unless the hub/rotor was balanced that way. The axles also had noticeably bad run-out - but I haven't looked at "others" for quite some time to see how bad they wobbled...

Either way turning your rotors should not void any warranty unless you took an excessive amount off or performed the process improperly. Heaven knows getting a dealer to try this in order to alleviate the shimmy would be like asking for the moon. Even the Nissan rep would go no further than to check the tire balance even though that did nothing to stop my vibration. Once they determined the tires were fine and the rims true, they washed their hands ....
When it turned out to be something more illusive and not an obvious/easy fix, Nissan just up and quit, said all is well, and I should be happy with it.

If I end up stuck with this car I will pull my front rotors and have them balanced by an engine speed shop, if nothing else just to rule them out (or in) as a vibration contributer.

Keep me posted on your findings. Let me know if your vibration is during braking or not. Several people have said turning the rotors was the fix for them - I find that hard to believe for the shimmy/vibration my car puts out...

Good luck/thanks

Smitty

 

KJ, I am following you... I also had an intermittent shimmy when driving at highway speeds (no breaking)... I took my car out tonight onto the highway, and no shimmy at all... not even when breaking... *shrug*

 

[I have the same problem with my 02 between 60 & 70 mph after new tires, balance and rebalance.

 

I have the same problem with my 02 between 60 & 70 mph after new tires, balance and rebalance.

 

took car to dealership. Explained problem to service manager who said that it was possible there were flat spots in the tires. A road force balance was conducted and found that my right front tire was out of balance but there were no flat spots on any tires. Nissan also turned my rotors and said they were in need of being turned. I'm not sure how the rotors got in that bad of shape after 4500 miles because I baby my car...sounds like nissan invested in some cheap rotors. Anyway, the shimmy is 99% gone and I cant believe the difference it made, especially on the highway at 80 MPH. I never realized the ride quality was poor until I had the problem fixed, I really enjoy driving on the interstate now.

 

Sorry for the late reply, but I want you all to know that Nissan replaced all four of my rotors and that corrected the problem. My car drives better than when it was brand new at this time. I still think it was not your tires KJSmitty. Have them check for warp rotors.

 

I have 4000 miles on my SL - lots of highway up to 90 mph - and have not noticed any shimmy at all.

 

luck you. looks like the ones built later in the year shimmy free. i got mine in april this yr. what was your manufacturer date?

 

Deven2kStickMax,

What caused the/your service department to change your rotors? How did they know that was the cause of the vibration/shimmy? Were they determined to be out of balance or just warped? I am on my own quest now due to Nissan's lack of customer support and would love to know for sure prior to dropping the cash into this car. I can't stand to drive it unless something is done about this "NORMAL", according to NISSAN, vibration issue....

Somewhat bitter at this point....

By the way, mine has a July 2004 build date....

Thansk for your help

Smitty

 

Here's what happened, Maxima's are now made in the US, hence the problems with them already...j/k I don't know for sure, it might have something to do with it though.

 

Just picked up my 04 SE Friday and I have the shimmy as well. MOstly at 50 MPH. Going to talk to the dealer tomorrow.

 

Everyone, insist that the dealer check the rotors... mine were warped, and since they were fixed (turned), I have had no shimmy.

 

Well guys,

Like I mentioned earlier Nissan will do nothing for my vibration issue so I am trying what I can within budget. I did have the front rotors turned yesterday. Not only were they quite warped yet both are out of round, ie - the centering hole in the center is not in the center. Both are at least 1/16 of an inch off. Testing them after having them turned resulted in a very small difference (if any) in my vibration. No shimmy at 55 though, just the constant vibration at speeds over 60 etc.
I decided, though not overly confident on the outcome, to order a pair of "Stillen's" performance cross-drilled rotors. They assured me of their quality and balancing process. Should have them on early next week. If they don't have a noticeable effect on my vibration they will come off immediately and will be looking for a good home... ie EBAY. So, If anyone would be interested in a "discounted" pair of Stillen rotors let me know. Hopefully I wont want to sell them but no use keeping them if they don't fix the problem :-)
Keep your fingers crossed for me - After experiencing the WORTHLESS "BBB" process and rejecting their decision, if this doesn't work it's off to the TX Lemon Law process. Truly a disappointment for a car from new to now having 2700 miles...

You all have an outstanding Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

Smitty

 

KJSmitty,
A couple of thoughts. If your rotors mounting points are not centered then the rotors are out of balance. I would think this could contribute to your vibration. You have chosen to try new rotors that claim to be centered and balanced and that may solve your problem. I certainly hope so.

Another possible solution is to find a shop that would do an old fashioned, on the car wheel balance. This would have the effect of balancing all the rotating parts, wheel, tire and brake rotor. I am old enough to remember when all wheel balancing was done that way. I believe there are shops in the Dallas area that will do this. It may take some phone time to track one down.

Another, more complex method, would be to find someone that would chuck your brake rotors in a lathe, and turn the outside diameter. This would also have the effect of removing the rotor imbalance. I don't have a shop manual or a brake rotor in front of me, so I can't say for sure how you would determine the rotating center of the rotor. This idea may be impractical due to the problem of finding the rotating axis of the rotor and centering this point in a lathe.

The numbers in my forum name indicate the Maximas I have owned. All were pretty good cars. One of my sons is still driving the 89 with around 180,000 miles. I am driving the 91 with 101,000 miles. I plan to swap cars with him and buy something new. Maximas are nice, but this vibration problem has made me cautious about buying a 04 Max.

Best of luck on your problem and please keep us posted on your progress. If the new rotors solve your problem then I believe you have discovered the root cause of this mess, rotors that are not in balance due to not being centered properly when they were manufactured.

BTW I will be spending Thanksgiving just down the road from you in Rowlett.

 

I just got my car back last night from the dealership for the shimmy. I only have 200 miles on my car so the first hing they checked was balancing etc. They believe if it were the rotors I would feel vibration under braking. I do not know enough on that to comment. But what they did do via a recommendation from Nissan was to test the Radial Force Variation(I think thats what its called). Anyway, 3 of my tires were way out of whack to whats acceptable (.10 or 10) 3 were over .17/17. So long story short I have 3 new tires and the shimmy seems to be gone. I'll see if it rears its ugly head this week. By the way, Goodyear tires on an SE 18" wheels

 

Road Force Variance?

 

You might look here http://209.176.154.132/ to find out more about Hunter GSP 9700 wheel balance machines and road force measurement.

A warped brake rotor causes the "pulsating brake pedal" sensation. A brake disk that is not machined on center may cause some sensation in the brake pedal. I'm not sure what it would be.

 

Both the factory Goodyear's and my new Michelin's have both been on the Hunter 9700 at least 3 times... No road force issues and balanced perfect (two different shops no less). The vibration remained constant every time as it is today.
I didn't have any pulsating while braking and never would have thought my rotors were warped. When they mounted them on the Hunter lathe to check the "off-center" issue, both were quite warped - the passenger side really bad... I have no idea how I couldn't feel that in the pedal - maybe I just haven't braked hard enough.... Then again how did they get that way? After 25+ years of being a car nut and extremely mechanical minded, 8 years of which as a darn good mechanic at a Nissan/GM dealer no less - I have never seen a rotor that warped not cause brake pedal feedback.. After turning my rotors for warpage we did attempt to use the Hunter lathe to take off the larger side of the rotor ie off-center heavy side to better the balance. It proved too damaging to the lathe. They are designed to machine the sides of a rotor and inside of a drum, but not an outer edge. Besides, the amount was too extreme.
Anyway, I hope the new Stillen rotors will alleviate all if not most of my vibration. Their was a noticeable difference in vibration on the hoist while spinning the drivetrain at 70mph with rotors torqued on -vs- just the axles (although vibration present their also - but I have never performed that check on any car in the past. I figure all would have some "minor" vibe spinning tranny and axles...)

What really irritates me is how I am stuck performing all the diagnostics attempting to alleviate a vibration in a $30K vehicle. I requested all of this from my dealer and the Nissan factory Tech-rep but they said no! The regional dealer rep will now no longer pay warranty repairs on this issue.... After literally only balancing the tires numerous times they wrote on the work order "all known repairs have been performed at this time"! Like the tires are the "only" rotating item.... What a joke. The worst part is the BBB arbitrator took that as gospel thus ruled Nissan as not responsible...

If I didn't like this car I would have dumped it by now....let alone the fact I would loose my a$$ if I did... I guess I should have kept my Honda, 60K miles - no vibrations, rattles, or even a trip to the service department..... (compared to 8+ trips in 2500 miles for the Nissan)

Thanks for letting me vent folks :-)

Smitty