Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Go Back   Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum > General > Tech Talk > S Chassis

S Chassis Technical discussion related to the S Chassis such as the S12, S13, S14, and S15.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-30-2019, 09:14 PM   #1
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Steering Wheel Shake

I have been experiencing a lot of steering wheel shake at 50+ mph on my S13 Silvia. I have searched and tried what other have said and it is still happening.

The weird thing is that it is intermittent. One day it’ll be fine, the next day it’ll will shake for 30 seconds at highway speeds, stop shaking for 30-60 seconds, then start to shake again. It doesn’t seem to matter on the road condition. It can be perfectly smooth and still shake.

I know the wheels are balanced, I also recently had it aligned. Ball joints look and feel good and while the front end is jacked up, there is no play in the wheels or anything else. I replaced the inner and outer tie rods, tension rods, steering shaft bushing, and steering rack bushings and it still shakes.

It’s driving me crazy! Any input is much appreciated!

Thank you in advance.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 12-30-2019, 09:45 PM   #2
jkleinschrodt04
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: US
Age: 21
Posts: 8
Trader Rating: (0)
jkleinschrodt04 is making his/her stupidity well-knownjkleinschrodt04 is making his/her stupidity well-knownjkleinschrodt04 is making his/her stupidity well-knownjkleinschrodt04 is making his/her stupidity well-known
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
my buddy's car used to do this. he replaced the ps pump and it went away

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
jkleinschrodt04 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2019, 08:40 AM   #3
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkleinschrodt04 View Post
my buddy's car used to do this. he replaced the ps pump and it went away

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Thanks for the info! I can’t find a power steering pump locally. But I’ll try flushing the fluid first and see if that helps. It is very dark and old.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2019, 09:28 PM   #4
NashT
Zilvia Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Texas
Age: 31
Posts: 175
Trader Rating: (1)
NashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choices
Feedback Score: 1 reviews
Have you check the wheel bearings?
Did you recently do a 5 lug swap? If so did you torque to correct spec?
NashT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2019, 11:04 PM   #5
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
I did not do a 5 lug swap. And there doesn’t seem to be any movement when I try to shake the wheels while it’s jacked up. So I believe the wheel bearings are not the cause of the problem.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 09:10 AM   #6
onehundredoctane
Post Whore!
 
onehundredoctane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Greensborough, NC
Posts: 2,783
Trader Rating: (3)
onehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfectiononehundredoctane is close to perfection
Feedback Score: 3 reviews
Are you by chance running cheap or old tires? The steel belts in them can flat spot from sitting parked and cause all kinds of steering vibrations that are pretty much impossible to pin point.
onehundredoctane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 11:21 AM   #7
mechanicalmoron
Zilvia FREAK!
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: tx
Posts: 1,072
Trader Rating: (0)
mechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nice
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
A lump of mud or slush on the inside of a wheel can cause a temporary (or not so temporary) balance problem.
mechanicalmoron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 12:32 PM   #8
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
I did recently get new wheels and tires from a friend but I don’t recall his car having this issue. And it did do this with my old wheels and tires too. It has just been seeming to get worse lately. I do plan to get some tires soon though. And there is nothing on the inside of the wheels, they are very clean.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 02:46 PM   #9
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
The shake seemed to be less after flushing the power steering system. I’m wondering if I pull the belt off the PS Pump and take it out for a test drive, if that’ll help pin point whether it’s the pump itself or something else.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 05:49 PM   #10
NashT
Zilvia Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Texas
Age: 31
Posts: 175
Trader Rating: (1)
NashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choices
Feedback Score: 1 reviews
If you really have checked the front end, joints, bushings, bearings, etc.
If its not a bad tire or bent rim, the only other thing I can think of is that rubber steering shaft rag joint. Know what im talking about?

You running stock castor arms? If so are the bushings blown?
NashT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 07:12 PM   #11
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Like I said in the original post, I replaced the tension (castor) arms and the steering shaft bushing a while back. That did not fix the issue.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 07:35 PM   #12
S14rebuild
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Florida-FAIL
Posts: 2,497
Trader Rating: (8)
S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild S14rebuild
Feedback Score: 8 reviews
Take the ps belt off test drive and let us know
S14rebuild is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 07:51 PM   #13
NashT
Zilvia Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Texas
Age: 31
Posts: 175
Trader Rating: (1)
NashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choices
Feedback Score: 1 reviews
Does the vibration happen when you brake at all? If so then your rotors are warped.
One thing alot of ppl do that warp rotors is putting wheels on with an impact instead of torquing them, which creates an uneven load variance on each wheel stud.
NashT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 08:00 PM   #14
IvoryWhiteS13
 
IvoryWhiteS13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Boston
Posts: 16
Trader Rating: (0)
IvoryWhiteS13 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
I had an issue similar to this and it ended up being a cracked front subframe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
IG: Just240things
Owner of Function Automotive
IvoryWhiteS13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 08:32 PM   #15
jdmgtom
Leaky Injector
 
jdmgtom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Age: 28
Posts: 147
Trader Rating: (0)
jdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymorejdmgtom is not welcome here anymore
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by NashT View Post
Does the vibration happen when you brake at all? If so then your rotors are warped.
One thing alot of ppl do that warp rotors is putting wheels on with an impact instead of torquing them, which creates an uneven load variance on each wheel stud.
+1 on warped brake rotors
__________________
_________
IG - g_t0m
jdmgtom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 09:06 PM   #16
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by NashT View Post
Does the vibration happen when you brake at all? If so then your rotors are warped.
One thing alot of ppl do that warp rotors is putting wheels on with an impact instead of torquing them, which creates an uneven load variance on each wheel stud.
It’s probably not the rotors. It happens while cruising at 50+ mph, not only while braking. And I don’t use an impact to torque the lug nuts.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 09:07 PM   #17
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by IvoryWhiteS13 View Post
I had an issue similar to this and it ended up being a cracked front subframe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I will inspect the subframe tomorrow. How’d you end up fixing it? Welding it? Or replacing it?
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2020, 09:15 PM   #18
mechanicalmoron
Zilvia FREAK!
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: tx
Posts: 1,072
Trader Rating: (0)
mechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nicemechanicalmoron is just really nice
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor822 View Post
I will inspect the subframe tomorrow. How’d you end up fixing it? Welding it? Or replacing it?
As far as that kind of damage goes, you might also inspect the strut tower tops, and upper strut mounts. The epoxy "welds" can rip out, or the bearings get loose, respectively.
mechanicalmoron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 08:46 AM   #19
jedi03
Nissanaholic!
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: albuquerque
Posts: 1,784
Trader Rating: (8)
jedi03 is on a distinguished road
Feedback Score: 8 reviews
the rule of thumb I was given if below 60 is either alignment or suspension, above 60 wheel balance...if problem existed before then definitely check the suspension components, use a prybar to simulate load on the wheel while you have it in the air, check inner tie rod condition too...lots that could cause this issue...
jedi03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 02:33 PM   #20
FaLKoN240
Super Moderator
 
FaLKoN240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 16,760
Trader Rating: (73)
FaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfectionFaLKoN240 is close to perfection
Feedback Score: 73 reviews
You mentioned new wheels from a friend. Are these wheels actually new?

A bent but balanced wheel will still elicit a shaking steering wheel. I would try getting actual "new" or different wheels before you surmise that your wheels are not the culprit.
__________________

Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.
FaLKoN240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 03:37 PM   #21
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by FaLKoN240 View Post
You mentioned new wheels from a friend. Are these wheels actually new?

A bent but balanced wheel will still elicit a shaking steering wheel. I would try getting actual "new" or different wheels before you surmise that your wheels are not the culprit.
I wasn’t meaning that they are brand new. I meant new to me. But I know they were well taken care of and his car did not shake and I had this issue before I got these wheels. Also if it were a wheel balance or bent wheel, wouldn’t the steering wheel shake constantly? It wouldn’t come and go.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 04:55 PM   #22
kyral
Zilvia Junkie
 
kyral's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: wisconsin
Age: 29
Posts: 447
Trader Rating: (7)
kyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nice
Feedback Score: 7 reviews
are they alloy wheels with sticky weights?
__________________
The Game
you lose haha
kyral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 05:51 PM   #23
IvoryWhiteS13
 
IvoryWhiteS13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Boston
Posts: 16
Trader Rating: (0)
IvoryWhiteS13 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor822 View Post
I will inspect the subframe tomorrow. How’d you end up fixing it? Welding it? Or replacing it?


I ended up replacing it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
IG: Just240things
Owner of Function Automotive
IvoryWhiteS13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 06:04 PM   #24
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by S14rebuild View Post
Take the ps belt off test drive and let us know
Taking off the PS belt did nothing.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 06:04 PM   #25
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyral View Post
are they alloy wheels with sticky weights?
Yes. I am going to bring them somewhere to get rebalanced this weekend.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 06:08 PM   #26
NashT
Zilvia Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Texas
Age: 31
Posts: 175
Trader Rating: (1)
NashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choices
Feedback Score: 1 reviews
Just an idea, but rotate your tires front to rear to see if the shake goes away.

Check all your hardware/ fasteners on the front end, make sure all nuts and bolts are tight.

If you do end up having a cracked subframe, you could always send it off to bink industry's and have them repair and modify it or street faction makes an aftermarket subframe that has an adjustable rack feature.

I dunno what else to tell ya bro, the front ends on 240s are very simplistic.

One last though, I have seen wheel bearings that are going bad but dont exhibit play on a shake down, lift the front up and see if there is any resistance when turning the wheels as that would be a definite sign
NashT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 06:23 PM   #27
kyral
Zilvia Junkie
 
kyral's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: wisconsin
Age: 29
Posts: 447
Trader Rating: (7)
kyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nicekyral is just really nice
Feedback Score: 7 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor822 View Post
Yes. I am going to bring them somewhere to get rebalanced this weekend.
those can be finicky, wheel weights can fall off. if the tire guy didn't care he might not have balanced them very well or didnt clean the area for the weights off with brake cleaner
__________________
The Game
you lose haha
kyral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 07:06 PM   #28
NashT
Zilvia Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Texas
Age: 31
Posts: 175
Trader Rating: (1)
NashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choicesNashT has made poor choices
Feedback Score: 1 reviews
Also, random idea, but check the 4 column bolts in the cab under the dash.

And are you rocking an aftermarket wheel? If so have you checked the hub but and wheel hardware? Blue loctite is your friend there
NashT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 07:15 PM   #29
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by NashT View Post
Just an idea, but rotate your tires front to rear to see if the shake goes away.

Check all your hardware/ fasteners on the front end, make sure all nuts and bolts are tight.

If you do end up having a cracked subframe, you could always send it off to bink industry's and have them repair and modify it or street faction makes an aftermarket subframe that has an adjustable rack feature.

I dunno what else to tell ya bro, the front ends on 240s are very simplistic.

One last though, I have seen wheel bearings that are going bad but dont exhibit play on a shake down, lift the front up and see if there is any resistance when turning the wheels as that would be a definite sign
Went through and checked all bolts up front. Everything is tight. On second inspection I noticed very minor movements when pushing/pulling on top and bottom of wheel and tires on both sides. There is some resistance but it seems like my brakes drag a bit. I will be doing brakes and lower ball joints soon, and will inspect whee bearings further then.

Also I’ve had three different sets of wheels on this car and the shake had always been there. I really don’t think it has to do with the wheels.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2020, 07:16 PM   #30
Taylor822
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kent, WA
Age: 25
Posts: 26
Trader Rating: (0)
Taylor822 is an unknown quantity at this point
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Quote:
Originally Posted by NashT View Post
Also, random idea, but check the 4 column bolts in the cab under the dash.

And are you rocking an aftermarket wheel? If so have you checked the hub but and wheel hardware? Blue loctite is your friend there
I do have aftermarket wheel, I will check that.
Taylor822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
s13, shake, silvia, steering


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:10 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2021, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
vB.Sponsors
Copyright © 1998 - 2019, Zilvia.net™