Steering Wheels Shakes at 80mph
09-05-2018, 05:51 AM
#1
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Location: New Haven, CT
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Steering Wheels Shakes at 80mph
I have 2008 Nissan Maxima SE with brand new shocks and struts, tires all balanced, new moog stabilizer links and alignment done but the car still shakes at 80mph on the highway. Girlfriend’s sister drove the car with a flat tire so I’m thinking a wheel could be bent. Tire shop that installed the tires 2 years ago said nothing about a bent rim so I’m not sure. Also there is a slight rubbing noise when I turn the wheel all the way in either direction. What could be the problem?
09-05-2018, 10:08 AM
#2
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Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 139
I have 2008 Nissan Maxima SE with brand new shocks and struts, tires all balanced, new moog stabilizer links and alignment done but the car still shakes at 80mph on the highway. Girlfriend’s sister drove the car with a flat tire so I’m thinking a wheel could be bent. Tire shop that installed the tires 2 years ago said nothing about a bent rim so I’m not sure. Also there is a slight rubbing noise when I turn the wheel all the way in either direction. What could be the problem?
09-05-2018, 11:19 AM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
Warped brake rotors or uneven surface could do that too. Although you should feel it at other speeds, bad rotors sometimes foster very unpredictable symptoms. I had rotors turned, new pads on my 07, ended up with issues at high speeds, ended up replacing front rotors, then the rears. Each time things got better, but never perfect until all the rotors were replaced.
Also, another problem was aftermarket wheels, they usually need a special O-ring to help center the wheel as it's being mounted. Doesn't seems necessary, try driving with one missing. That happened to me also, Ironically the Firestone store found the ring in a toolbox 2 months after I kept coming back with balance problems several times. Once they got that ring back in the vibration was gone.
Also, another problem was aftermarket wheels, they usually need a special O-ring to help center the wheel as it's being mounted. Doesn't seems necessary, try driving with one missing. That happened to me also, Ironically the Firestone store found the ring in a toolbox 2 months after I kept coming back with balance problems several times. Once they got that ring back in the vibration was gone.
09-05-2018, 03:23 PM
#6
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Thanks for the responses everyone! The wheels are the stock 18’s. I just talked to my girlfriend who drives the car more than I do. She states that it’s more of a popping sound when she cuts the wheel all the way to left. The dealer who she gets the car serviced at says that her power steering fluid is dirty. I’m aware that these cars have horrible turning radius but when I had my 4th Gen maxima it could turn as good as my 2013 Acura TL.
Last edited by NismoMaximaA32; 09-05-2018 at 03:26 PM.
09-06-2018, 06:03 AM
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2009
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Theoretically yes, but not always. Case in point, my car all 4 were slightly warped, could hardly tell once they were turned and new pads, but still had a high speed vibration/bounce. But replacing the rotors solved a high speed vibration issue.
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