6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

Car shakes when over 80 mph....... plz help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 07:41 AM
  #1  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Car shakes when over 80 mph....... plz help

my car shakes as if I need a wheel balancing or something but it shakes only between the speed of 80-100. Over and under that speed.....it's smooth. Can anyone please tell me what can be the possible reason?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 08:36 AM
  #2  
digitalfish's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 42
actually that is wheel balance, it will be most noticable @45 and or @90, not sure why but thats where it's most noticed
Old Nov 23, 2006 | 09:06 AM
  #3  
Stardust's Avatar
F---ing Kangaroos
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,912
From: Des Plaines, IL
Do the speed limit.





Old Nov 30, 2006 | 12:43 PM
  #4  
DRopinski's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 18
Could be rotors/brakes

If you have ceramic brake pads it could be warping your rotors. Otherwise check your alignment and tire balance.
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 03:21 PM
  #5  
04BlackMaxx's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
yea i was thinkin how often u goin over 80 anyway..i do at most 75 on the thruway in a 55.
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 03:37 PM
  #6  
jpadayao's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
Car Shakes Over 80 Mph

I have the same problem too. I brought the car to the dealer and told them about it but they won't do anything to fix it since it happens over the speed limit. I tried balancing (numerous times with different shops), alignment (with different shops) and replacing rims and tires with the same original spec 245/45/18. It started shaking after I hit a pot hole one night on the freeway and I was going fast at the time between 80-90 mph. I might replace the rotor later on and see what happens.
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 03:47 PM
  #7  
04BlackMaxx's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
Ill tell ya what, when I replaced just my wrn out 64,0000mi pads on the front I ntced a reduction in shimmy at speeds around 60. I think it might have been the worn out pads....if u have ghad ur wheels balanced and still hav e shi,mmy my advice is look at the rotors and pads.
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 04:26 PM
  #8  
rmd0311's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 632
Its wheel balance... Just go to a good shop. There are many flaky shops out there...
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 07:53 PM
  #9  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by rmd0311
Its wheel balance... Just go to a good shop. There are many flaky shops out there...
but it only shakes between 85-100....... when i go over 100 its smooth again. So I'm confused if its because of the balancing.
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 08:39 PM
  #10  
xoomer.com's Avatar
I Donate! Why Don't You?
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,718
From: NY
Originally Posted by 04BlackMaxx
Ill tell ya what, when I replaced just my wrn out 64,0000mi pads on the front I ntced a reduction in shimmy at speeds around 60. I think it might have been the worn out pads....if u have ghad ur wheels balanced and still hav e shi,mmy my advice is look at the rotors and pads.
Who said anything about braking? the guys said he is going 80-100 mph not braking at 80 mph
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 08:42 PM
  #11  
xoomer.com's Avatar
I Donate! Why Don't You?
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,718
From: NY
Originally Posted by rmd0311
Its wheel balance... Just go to a good shop. There are many flaky shops out there...
Yep lots of bad shops out there.

I had my tires installed at COSTCO and noticed slight steering wheel shake. Had costco rebalance and nothing has changed, different shake. Went to a guy I've always trusted and he showed me on the Hunter 9700 how each rim was misbalanced. Rebalanced all 4 ($60) and shake is GONE. Huray
Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:21 PM
  #12  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by 04BlackMaxx
yea i was thinkin how often u goin over 80 anyway..i do at most 75 on the thruway in a 55.
I moved to TX not too long ago and I'm from NY. So with the traffic gone i go over 100 almost everytime i go out. ;-)
Old Dec 1, 2006 | 12:08 AM
  #13  
6thGenSmoke's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 270
I moved to TX not too long ago and I'm from NY. So with the traffic gone i go over 100 almost everytime i go out. ;-)
i dont see to many people going that fast over there in the dallas area. im from houston and go to dallas maybe once or twice a month and im the only one switching lanes and passing people just going 80 mph. its weird cause in houston thats keeping up with traffic
Old Dec 1, 2006 | 05:43 AM
  #14  
hpric's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 145
My guess are the rotors or it could also be a bad tire(s). when I had my TL it started doing that whenever I went over 65. turned out two of my tires were not perfectly round and it was impossible to balance them correctly. Replaced tires and all was well again.
Old Dec 1, 2006 | 06:05 AM
  #15  
Scope's Avatar
Im izz sexay
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,765
From: Conway, SC
Either a bad wheel alignment or weel balancing. Check your tires for uneven tread wearage. One side of the tire should mostly likely be balding quicker than the other side. Usually on FWD cars the inside of the tire balds quicker than what you actually see in my own experiences. Just feel and you may notice that if you put some miles on them already.
Old Dec 1, 2006 | 06:53 AM
  #16  
xoomer.com's Avatar
I Donate! Why Don't You?
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,718
From: NY
Originally Posted by utas424
I moved to TX not too long ago and I'm from NY. So with the traffic gone i go over 100 almost everytime i go out. ;-)
I'm in NY and there is plenty of occassions to push it past a 100. Car rides smooth even at 120. Love it. All the cars I have driven previously would start falling apart at around 100.

On the other hand UTAS, I am sure you don't miss the f-cked up roards of NY.
Old Dec 4, 2006 | 12:29 PM
  #17  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by xoomer.com
I'm in NY and there is plenty of occassions to push it past a 100. Car rides smooth even at 120. Love it. All the cars I have driven previously would start falling apart at around 100.

On the other hand UTAS, I am sure you don't miss the f-cked up roards of NY.
To be honest with you. I do like the less trafic over in Dallas but still miss NY. nothing like NY bro.
Old Dec 4, 2006 | 12:32 PM
  #18  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by Scope
Either a bad wheel alignment or weel balancing. Check your tires for uneven tread wearage. One side of the tire should mostly likely be balding quicker than the other side. Usually on FWD cars the inside of the tire balds quicker than what you actually see in my own experiences. Just feel and you may notice that if you put some miles on them already.
I do see that my tires are weared out and in need of a change. I'll try your method and see if it's uneven. But the damn tires are so expensive. each costs me over $150 to $275. I'll go broke with buying all 4 tires :P

Appreciate the tip
Old Dec 4, 2006 | 01:12 PM
  #19  
4drsleeper's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 218
This is gonna sound crazy but I had the same problem and you wouldn't believe what fixed it. I tried the tire alignment and balance but it didn't help at all. However, when Nissan did the alignment and balance they also messed up my from bumper and had to buy me a new one. As soon as the new bumper was put on I had no more shakes. Not sure why, maybe some loose screws, plugs, bolts, whatever...but all shakes gone.

Additionally, I've had rotors turned and had new rotors put on, each time it helped with the shimmy issue. So your shaking could be a combination of several things. Do keep looking for the "one fix" wonder.
Old Dec 4, 2006 | 03:16 PM
  #20  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by 4drsleeper
This is gonna sound crazy but I had the same problem and you wouldn't believe what fixed it. I tried the tire alignment and balance but it didn't help at all. However, when Nissan did the alignment and balance they also messed up my from bumper and had to buy me a new one. As soon as the new bumper was put on I had no more shakes. Not sure why, maybe some loose screws, plugs, bolts, whatever...but all shakes gone.

Additionally, I've had rotors turned and had new rotors put on, each time it helped with the shimmy issue. So your shaking could be a combination of several things. Do keep looking for the "one fix" wonder.
I'll keep that in mind......... Thanks bro
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 12:12 AM
  #21  
Marcos951's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Hey Utas check your email. I think i know what the problem is. It has to do with a plastic cover underneath the radiator that if warped or not securly fastened it will cause air to go in to an area that causes vibration in the streering wheel. I hope it helps
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 03:33 AM
  #22  
haunt14's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 73
marco can u send me the email also, im experienceing the same problem with my max
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 10:32 AM
  #23  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by Marcos951
Hey Utas check your email. I think i know what the problem is. It has to do with a plastic cover underneath the radiator that if warped or not securly fastened it will cause air to go in to an area that causes vibration in the streering wheel. I hope it helps
I chekced it already and made sure its secured tight. thanks for the tip though.
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 11:27 AM
  #24  
Marcos951's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Do you still have the problem with the car shaking though? Nissan specialist recommended that the plastic piece be removed and not put back on. After the dealer removed the plastic piece off my car the car stop shaking. after a few days of no shakes, i was skeptical that something that small was the cause of all that shaking so i securely fastened the piece back on to the car and after going for a test drive car started to shake again. So it turns out the plastic piece was warped at the front were it goes on to the bumper. To get rid of the problem I installed the piece just slightly different in the section that attatches to the bumper. I tucked the piece in to the bumper as apose to the piece being place right over it so that air would not easily go in, and placed the plastic fasteners inside out to hold the plastic cover in place. In the case this fixes your problem and you need pics of what i did let me know.
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 12:15 PM
  #25  
Marcos951's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
haunt, ill just post it what i emailed utas here for the benifit of others. I hope no one minds the length of this message. OK so I had this same problem with my max and after taking it to the dealer and them staying with the car for a few days, they did all they could including something called road forced balancing, checked the tires for unever wear and checked everything in the streering colum and suspension to make sure that everything was fastened and working properly. They could not figure this out and said that it was perhaps a common problem with my model. So i went on a test drive with a tech in a car from the dealer that was exactly like mine options and all with similar mileage (about 5,000 miles). After driving the car at speeds over 80mph and up to 105mph the car never showed any signs of the slightest shaking what so ever. Then the tech an i went on a test drive in my car, and after experiencing the shaking for himself the tech was convinced that this wasnt normal and not safe. The tech was cool about helping me out knowing that nissan might say something about the problem because the problem only occured when going at speeds of 80mph and higher. So he left a message with Nissan vibrations and drive department telling them of the problem and it occuring only at highway speeds. I guess nissan was busy during the holiday season that it took two months for them to call the dealer back. A tech was sent out to the area and diagnosed the problem. He said that some of these maximas have this problem and the cause of the problem is the plastic cover that goes attached to the front bumper and chasis. He said that these pieces are sometimes warped and allow air to go in to an area of the streeting colum that causes vibration at the steering wheel when going at highway speeds. So the Nissan specialist suggested to just remove the plastic cover, so thats what the dealer did and this got rid of the problem. After a week with no shaking, being skeptical I of coarse installed the piece back on and confirmed that this was the cause of the problem. That shaking came back once the piece was put back on and went away once it was removed. Even thought the plastic cover was the problem i managed to find a way that the cover could be placed back on my car in a slightly different way so that I could have the cover on but have no shakes occuring anymore at speeds over 80mph. I got rid of the problem for good. I would just recommend taking the cover off first to help diagnose the shakes problem. Hope this is of help.
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 12:28 PM
  #26  
Gianniali's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 200
From: Essex/Warren County, NJ
Originally Posted by xoomer.com
I'm in NY and there is plenty of occassions to push it past a 100. Car rides smooth even at 120. Love it. All the cars I have driven previously would start falling apart at around 100.

On the other hand UTAS, I am sure you don't miss the f-cked up roards of NY.
I agree, I drive 55 miles one way to work and of course back home, I drive on average 100 - 110mph most of the way. Being that I go into work at 11pm there's light traffic, car drives smooth as heck. Even at 120-130 very smooth.

Back on topic, true he didn't say anything about braking... so as most people stated, my two cents... tires and/or balancing. Though that statement about that plastic cover by the bumper is very interesting as well. Good luck.
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 01:43 PM
  #27  
kidd4l's Avatar
Cool Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 526
From: Goodyear, AZ
Marcos951, if you have pictures, please post them. Thank you.
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 02:15 PM
  #28  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by Marcos951
haunt, ill just post it what i emailed utas here for the benifit of others. I hope no one minds the length of this message. OK so I had this same problem with my max and after taking it to the dealer and them staying with the car for a few days, they did all they could including something called road forced balancing, checked the tires for unever wear and checked everything in the streering colum and suspension to make sure that everything was fastened and working properly. They could not figure this out and said that it was perhaps a common problem with my model. So i went on a test drive with a tech in a car from the dealer that was exactly like mine options and all with similar mileage (about 5,000 miles). After driving the car at speeds over 80mph and up to 105mph the car never showed any signs of the slightest shaking what so ever. Then the tech an i went on a test drive in my car, and after experiencing the shaking for himself the tech was convinced that this wasnt normal and not safe. The tech was cool about helping me out knowing that nissan might say something about the problem because the problem only occured when going at speeds of 80mph and higher. So he left a message with Nissan vibrations and drive department telling them of the problem and it occuring only at highway speeds. I guess nissan was busy during the holiday season that it took two months for them to call the dealer back. A tech was sent out to the area and diagnosed the problem. He said that some of these maximas have this problem and the cause of the problem is the plastic cover that goes attached to the front bumper and chasis. He said that these pieces are sometimes warped and allow air to go in to an area of the streeting colum that causes vibration at the steering wheel when going at highway speeds. So the Nissan specialist suggested to just remove the plastic cover, so thats what the dealer did and this got rid of the problem. After a week with no shaking, being skeptical I of coarse installed the piece back on and confirmed that this was the cause of the problem. That shaking came back once the piece was put back on and went away once it was removed. Even thought the plastic cover was the problem i managed to find a way that the cover could be placed back on my car in a slightly different way so that I could have the cover on but have no shakes occuring anymore at speeds over 80mph. I got rid of the problem for good. I would just recommend taking the cover off first to help diagnose the shakes problem. Hope this is of help.

thanks bro...I'll try that....
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 10:12 PM
  #29  
Marcos951's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by kidd4l
Marcos951, if you have pictures, please post them. Thank you.

Umm..how do i post pictures?
Old Dec 31, 2006 | 02:30 PM
  #30  
JWONG1399's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Utas, I have experienced the same problem after I installed the Eibach Lowering Springs. Can anyone tell me the BEST set up in shocks? Much appreciated!!
Old Dec 31, 2006 | 08:30 PM
  #31  
InfinitiBoy's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
Keep bugging the dealer about it. Even say you took it to another mechanic and he said wasn't right. For my company car first they did the alignment, then changed 2 front tires. Lastly the reprogrammed the computer. And it worked fine after that. They were saying that if this doesn't work could be the transmission mounts, since it tends to shift more at higher speed. Don't know how true though.
Old Jan 1, 2007 | 01:36 AM
  #32  
Marcos951's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by InfinitiBoy
Keep bugging the dealer about it. Even say you took it to another mechanic and he said wasn't right. For my company car first they did the alignment, then changed 2 front tires. Lastly the reprogrammed the computer. And it worked fine after that. They were saying that if this doesn't work could be the transmission mounts, since it tends to shift more at higher speed. Don't know how true though.

The mechanic would have to confirm the problem on a test drive, and they would have to be willing to reproduce the speed velocity which is 80-100mph to help diagnose and make sure the problem is fixed after the perfomed work has been done, but not to many dealers will risk getting a speeding ticket.

Utas... One thing that i forgot to ask, do you feel the shaking comming from he steering wheel? When i had this same problem my streering wheel would kinda shake up and down as if it was bouncing. Then it would transfer the shaking to the dashboard, this is what convinced the tech that it wasnt a balancing issue. Way after this problem was taken care of I had some aftermarket wheels installed, my steering wheel started shaking from left to right at speeds of 45-65mph due to a badly unbalanced tire.
Old Jan 1, 2007 | 02:25 AM
  #33  
AJA_MAX's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
utas also if ur driving on 635 , the road has lines in it and my dad told me that it makes the car shake because that happens to me when i was going around 80-90, sorry if it doesnt help im still a noob at driving bout to get my license in 8 days, cant wait. =D

edit: if this isnt the reason i need to get my car checked too dam maxima lol
Old Jan 2, 2007 | 02:12 PM
  #34  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by Marcos951
The mechanic would have to confirm the problem on a test drive, and they would have to be willing to reproduce the speed velocity which is 80-100mph to help diagnose and make sure the problem is fixed after the perfomed work has been done, but not to many dealers will risk getting a speeding ticket.

Utas... One thing that i forgot to ask, do you feel the shaking comming from he steering wheel? When i had this same problem my streering wheel would kinda shake up and down as if it was bouncing. Then it would transfer the shaking to the dashboard, this is what convinced the tech that it wasnt a balancing issue. Way after this problem was taken care of I had some aftermarket wheels installed, my steering wheel started shaking from left to right at speeds of 45-65mph due to a badly unbalanced tire.
Yeah the steering wheel shakes. even the psngr can feel it. Pretty soon i'll change my tires and i'll get free wheel balancing with it. Hopefully i'll go away after that.
Old Jan 2, 2007 | 02:16 PM
  #35  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by AJA_MAX
utas also if ur driving on 635 , the road has lines in it and my dad told me that it makes the car shake because that happens to me when i was going around 80-90, sorry if it doesnt help im still a noob at driving bout to get my license in 8 days, cant wait. =D

edit: if this isnt the reason i need to get my car checked too dam maxima lol
Your dad is right AJA_MAX. 635 does make your car shake. but i tried in other highways as well...like the 75, 183, 35.......same problem. So I'm pretty sure its not the road.

Good Luck on that license and congrats...
Old Jan 2, 2007 | 03:54 PM
  #36  
gen2000's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86
One thing that has not been mentioned is the steering rack sliding force adjustment mentioned here; http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB04-084.htm
And before you say it does not apply because of the mentioned speed consider that this in effect is a motion damper. If all else fails at least ask the dealership to check it . A lot of problems have been fixed by this one adjustment. But, the adjustment has to be very subtle or the steering will be very stiff.
Old Jan 2, 2007 | 06:12 PM
  #37  
Marcos951's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by utas424
Yeah the steering wheel shakes. even the psngr can feel it. Pretty soon i'll change my tires and i'll get free wheel balancing with it. Hopefully i'll go away after that.

Hey Utas you havent mentioned if you tried taking off that plastic cover????? and does you steering wheel shake up and down or left to right?
Old Jan 6, 2007 | 12:36 PM
  #38  
GhostDeany's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
i have the altima and have the same problem and its from the air dam
Old Jan 7, 2007 | 08:39 AM
  #39  
utas424's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by Marcos951
Hey Utas you havent mentioned if you tried taking off that plastic cover????? and does you steering wheel shake up and down or left to right?

I haven't taken off the plastic cover yet. I'll do it soon. As per the steeringwheel shake, it shakes form left to right.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MikesChevelle
Audio and Electronics
5
Nov 23, 2024 11:17 AM
Lakersallday24
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
10
Jun 16, 2019 01:35 AM
kjlouis
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
11
Nov 24, 2018 06:09 AM
jhontelj
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
2
Aug 17, 2015 04:07 AM
Balkins
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
1
Aug 12, 2015 06:39 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:54 AM.