Wheel Shaking And Tram Lining

[sl33py]

Matty, I'm not sure you really read this thread all the way though. I didn't approach my regular mechanic about this problem first. I took it to so-called 'specialists' because I assumed (incorrectly) that my mechanic only looked after the engine side of things. So he's not to blame. Each suspension place was taking pot-shots and replacing a few parts like you describe. It wasn't until I visited my usual mechanic, who took two goes, and replaced parts that needed it on both attempts, that the problem was found. And anyway, it wasn't tie-rods. I don't know where you got that from - the steering rack was slightly bent, not visible without pulling it all out. Even he said noone would have seen it unless they pulled the whole suspension apart, and the reason he did so was because I said 'fix it no matter what', when all the other places either replaced the simplest thing they could think of as the cause, or only replaced one small problem I had, leaving other major things unfixed (eg the front end of the bumpstops).

Of course I would have liked if someone saw the bent rack to start with, but I'm not complaining like people on ACA. Just telling people on here my story so they can know what else to look for with wheel shakes, cos EVERYONE just kept telling me it was my wheel alignment, when 3 or 4 places had already aligned it.

Cheers.

[donkey]

i had tracking too, 285x18 tyres all round, went down to a 255, fixed problem

[mattymagoo22]

Hey Sleepy, wasn't taking a pot shot at you, you just wanted your car fixed. I was taking about the people that kept guessing. I assumed you meant tie-rods when you said it was bent, as I've never seen a bent rack?!?! How was it bent have you got picks? and what effect did this play in the reason for your steering shaking?

Cheers

[sl33py]

NP Matty. The main reason I updated this thread is cos I linked somone else with high speed shaked to it, and wanted to add a little more info. Save others some time and pain! The most important part, as you said, is a knowledgeable mechanic/suspension guy.

I think the rack itself was bent... The part with the 'peanuts', as Homer Simpson would say haha.. I'm not 100% on the details, I just know he said that noone, no matter how good they were, would have found it without pulling it out. He said he was getting an intermittent "clunk" when he played with the steering rack manually. It clunked about 1/3 of the time, so I was pretty sure it needed reconditioning. Was only very clear when he pulled it out. In fact, the reconditioning place were the ones to tell him it was bent, maybe he couldn't even see it himself, but had the right suspicions. So I don't have any pics.

The main effect of the bent rack was very subtle *shivering* through the steering wheel at any speed, and intermittently when hitting 80-100kph or more, and sometimes when braking, the wheel would shake violently in my hands, like you get when you're braking heavily and the brake pads are completely shot. But it's all gone away now (can't imagine my relief after so long). With all the stuff I've had replaced, you should feel how it drives now lol go-kart

Edited March 21, 2008 by sl33py

[nisskid]

assuming the aftermarket wheels have a larger centrebore to the nissan hub, have you got a hubcentric locator ring?

probably already discussed but cbf reading through the whole thread.

[sl33py]

Yep, that was brought up and checked a few times by one of the later wheel specialists to check out the car. These issues have since been solved.

Cheers!

[BRUNSKIGTST]

i wonnna know if you could know what might be the cause of this problem like how you get that damage if it impossible or possible, could it have been a smashed up car and only just fixed to get it RW and on the road asap for sale???? just wondering.

[sl33py]

i wonnna know if you could know what might be the cause of this problem like how you get that damage if it impossible or possible, could it have been a smashed up car and only just fixed to get it RW and on the road asap for sale???? just wondering.

I noticed the problems precisely from the moment I drove the car out of Jax Quickfit. I have NO doubt in my mind that they caused it, by A) selling me out of round tyres, B) poor setup/balancing of all wheels, and most significantly, a SERIOUS knock to my steering rack (educated guess) at some point in the proceedings. I've had one mate who watched a different workshop attempt to lift his GF's car, with the hoist positioned squarely under the steering rack. Oil all over the floor and bent parts galore. I wouldn't be surprised if something like this happened, just to a lesser degree, and they thought I wouldn't notice.

[DjeMz]

my car feels like exactly how u describe, will take a look at the rack tomorrow

[DjeMz]

thanks sleepy

[nitestalkr]

Sorry to dig this up but i just wanted to thank sl33py for a new idea!! will check this at first chance.. all the symptoms fit and i even had shitty tires which pulled me to the left, and maybe they have bent the rack..

proper tires on now, and it drives straight but still shudders as u describe..

Cheers