Shaking steering wheel

Tiny
BPAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
New tires and rims, wheels balanced several times even on a tire machine that has road force. Four wheel alignment a few times, new struts and rear shocks, all done at local tire store. They checked all tie rod ends, bearing and so on. Please help!
Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 AT 8:07 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi BPAN,

This looks very much like a tire speed related vibration. The speed of the steering wheel shaking is very much like a tire. However, it is anything spinning at the speed (RPM) of a wheel or tire. This could be a rotor, hub, axle as well. If everything was checked and found to be operating properly then they are missing something. The real way to figure this out is to have it diagnosed with a vibration analyzer. This is a tool that measures the hertz reading of the vibration and by knowing this number the speed, and RPM of the engine at the time of the vibration, you will know exactly what type of component is causing the issue.

I would suggest calling around to a few shops and find out who has one. I am sure someone in your town has one and those that do and actually use them is who I would take it too.

If you get the hertz reading please feel free to send it over and I will be happy to decipher it for you. Also, just because someone road force balanced these tires does not mean they did it properly. I work with a lot of dealerships that say they pass road force just to find out they did not set the machine up properly. Did they tell you what the road force numbers one the tires? I am just curious what they say past. Thanks
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Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
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KASEKENNY1,

Thanks so much. I will get a hold of some shops in the area and see if anyone has the vibration analyzer. Also, I will find out what the road force numbers were.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 7:35 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Sounds great. Just come back and post them here whenever you get them. I will wait to hear back. Thanks
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
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Kasekenn1,

First thing cannot find anyone so far for the vibration analyzer.? Also checked the numbers for the Road Force balance the tolerance is 20 mine were 0, 0, 13, 15, of course the Zero ones are on the front.
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Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
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What brand and type of tire is it? Also, what size tire?

Without knowing that hertz reading we are going to have to make some educated guessing.

It appears to be a tire issue and because it is in the steering most likely it is the front. I have to say, I have not seen a tire come back with 0 lbs of road force so to have two of them seems odd. Maybe I haven't done enough tires to see that but the best I have seen is 4 lbs.

We can come back to the road force issue but have you checked your rack and pinion mounts and suspension components to make sure they are tight.

Also, we need to look at brake rotors. If they have runout then they can cause this issue but that is normally felt the worst when braking.

Here is a guide that will walk you through the most common other causes:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-shakes-when-accelerating-or-braking

Let me know what tires and sizes you have and then let me know if you find anything with this other info and we can go from there. Thanks
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Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
BPAN
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NEW :Tires are Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season - Size: 265/50R20
New : Current Wheels/ Tires 265/50R20, Rims 20x8.5 ET15
Factory is 265/65/17 stock rim 17x7.5 ET30
I checked the new wheels numbers to make sure of fit
Suspension clearance 100%
fenders clearance will stick out 15mm (0.6) Acceptable most cars
wheelwells the same
speedometer when it reads 60mph it will be 59.8mph
Also Rotors and Pads replaced 2 months age OEM Nissan
new (Moog) front struts and rear shocks
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Friday, July 12th, 2019 AT 3:36 AM
Tiny
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The Tires are the Pirelli Scorpion Plus.
Went to dealer today and showed me that the rack n pinion leaking little, also driver’s side upper ball joint boot crack can see grease, see Attached left and right side boots, leaking power steering hose that goes to coolant, also attached both engine motor mounts. Last picture is the hose again.
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Friday, July 12th, 2019 AT 8:57 AM
Tiny
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Very good information. Clearly we should fix all of that and retest. I doubt the power steering hose leaking is causing this but obviously a leak is not good. However, the other issues will cause what you are seeing. Please keep me posted on what happens. Great pictures. Thanks for the update. This will surely help others that have this type of problem.
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Friday, July 12th, 2019 AT 7:51 PM

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