300ZX (Z31) Brakes, Wheels, Suspension and Chassis Discussions related to performance suspension, wheels, brakes and chassis.

Steering wheel shake

Old Sep 25, 2011 | 03:31 PM
  #1  
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Steering wheel shake

Hey guys, out of no where my steering wheel starting shaking on my way to work about a month ago and it was so bad that I pulled off the road and checked all my lugs and wheels and it was fine and finished my way to work.. Well now it is doing it everytime I drive my z but the weird thing is that it doesn't start shaking until I drive a little bit (about a mile). I took it to get an alignment and was told my ball joints were shot so I replaced them and sway bar end links. This didn't help whatsoever. Any ideas?
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 04:28 PM
  #2  
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wheel bearings.
tires out of balance.
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 04:56 PM
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I have brand new tires on it and they were balanced when I had them installed.. And I don't think it's the bearing Bc I had a bad one in the passenger side that I replaced and when I would jack it up I could pull/ push the wheel back and forth with bad bearing.. From what I have read on all the forums it seems like the "most" similar problems are the upper link or steering Collum u-joint.. What do you think?
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 87z
I drive my z but the weird thing is that it doesn't start shaking until I drive a little bit (about a mile).
At what speeds? 10mph? 60mph?

Originally Posted by 87z
I have brand new tires on it and they were balanced when I had them installed..
You asked for advice, so please heed the advice given...

Out of balance wheels are the most common reason for steering wheel shake at highway speeds. Just because you had a new set of tires installed, doesn't mean the teenage tech installing them balanced them correctly.

You could either try swapping the front & rear wheels to see if that helps, or take it back to that shop and have them double check the balance (most shops will do it for free since you just bought tires from them).

Old Sep 26, 2011 | 08:33 AM
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It started at higher speeds ( above 40-45) then after a couple days it will do it driving through town now at 25... I will try switching the wheels around and see if it helps any and let you know
Old Sep 27, 2011 | 10:35 AM
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i just switched all the wheels around and it is still shaking..... it seems to be a little better tho but idk if thats because i didnt drive it far. any ideas? and thanks for your help
Old Sep 27, 2011 | 11:56 AM
  #7  
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wheel weights are known to go flying off when installed by a moron. you paid for it make them redo as was already suggested instead of just guessing at what it might be.
Old Sep 27, 2011 | 04:56 PM
  #8  
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bearing, wheel balance... if that isnt the problem you need an alignment.

make sure they use sticky weights if you dont have a lip to put side weights. they have to do it dynamic and only dynamic balace, static balancing tends to cause wheel shake. if you can take it back and demand sticky weights, if they dont have any, tell them to upgrade their **** =)
Old Sep 28, 2011 | 09:08 AM
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Thanks for all the advice but that's not the problem... I took it to a local tire shop (a different one) and within a minute he told me that I got bad tires and the belts shifted inside. I never had this happen before but I was told it is actually pretty common
Old Sep 28, 2011 | 06:50 PM
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Technically "out of balance" tires IS the problem (which is what we were telling you the entire time). It was just caused by bad tires, not a bad balance job.

Hopefully you are going back to the orig tire shop you bought them from and getting a new set for free...
Old Sep 29, 2011 | 06:50 AM
  #11  
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The tires bead slipped on the rim and threw off the original balance seems more likely. I just don't even see how the belts in a tire could even move. let alone slip. Most of the time a bad tire is one that is either out of round, or has a bubble.
Old Oct 8, 2011 | 07:47 PM
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a bad tire could also have hard spots in the tread area or excess stiffness in the sidewalls. the 2011 sonatas i can't count how many tires i've replaced for hard spots. but a shifted belt doesn't seem likely..
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