Steering wheel shake fixed

Was going to do this but.... To start I had bridgestones on but getting ready for my first winter with this car, mine is a '06 RWD, so I purchased some Hankook iPike dedicated snow tires as I live in central New York and winters are hard. Got them from an auto mall Nissan dealership as they'll store you're other tires in the mean time. First winter everything was great, changed back to the bridgestones for this past summer, still great. Then switched back for this winter and noticed immediately the steering wheel shake at about 60 mph like everyone else. Brought it back and balance checked, same mechanic said they were perfect. Figured alignment wasn't the problem, that would only cause pulling. So just as I was about to ty the DIY, I was due for an oil change and had them rotate and balance the snows too. BAM, shaking completely gone. The only thing I can think of is the same mechanic checked the balance both times before and this time I had it done at an Infiniti dealer in NJ. WTF
 
nice, the only other iPike user on this forum that I know of.

mortonjl said:
Was going to do this but.... To start I had bridgestones on but getting ready for my first winter with this car, mine is a '06 RWD, r so I purchased some Hankook iPike dedicated snow tires as I live in central New York and winters are hard. Got them from an auto mall Nissan dealership as they'll store you're other tires in the mean time. First winter everything was great, changed back to the bridgestones for this past summer, still great. Then switched back for this winter and noticed immediately the steering wheel shake at about 60 mph like everyone else. Brought it back and balance checked, same mechanic said they were perfect. Figured alignment wasn't the problem, that would only cause pulling. So just as I was about to ty the DIY, I was due for an oil change and had them rotate and balance the snows too. BAM, shaking completely gone. The only thing I can think of is the same mechanic checked the balance both times before and this time I had it done at an Infiniti dealer in NJ. WTF
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No problems as yet with them. Gonna leave them on the stock 18's and get some summer tires on 20's when I do my suspension, just not sure which way to go right now.
 
I put on some new winter tires and rims here in frigid Canada. I had a pretty bad shimmy after putting these on. I loosened the screw about 1/4 turn, took it for a drive and it was smooth as glass. Thanks everyone!!
 
I might of tightened it too much
but my steering wheel is heavy at a stop I'm going to loosen it a bit tmr and see how it is

Ahone else with the same issue
 
sky14 said:
I might of tightened it too much
but my steering wheel is heavy at a stop I'm going to loosen it a bit tmr and see how it is

Ahone else with the same issue
Click to expand...
Only loosen it an 1/8 th of a turn and then try it and repeat if needed.
 
Worked for me. I just snugged up the bolt (figuring 54 in/lbs wasn't much more) then loosened it 1/8 turn. With struts, shocks, swaybar links and tie rod ends, it feels like new. I'm ready for another 160K. Crap, there goes the heater motor. :/
 
provels said:
Worked for me. I just snugged up the bolt (figuring 54 in/lbs wasn't much more) then loosened it 1/8 turn. With struts, shocks, swaybar links and tie rod ends, it feels like new. I'm ready for another 160K. Crap, there goes the heater motor. :/
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how do you know when your heater motor is dead?
i think mines on its way out too.
 
Bearings were squealing this morning, but it was 2 degrees. Cleared up later. Did it last year on super cold days, too. Maybe I'll drop the glove compartment and see if I can get a drop of oil on the bearing. Still a fab car, shooting for 250K.
 
Did this while I was doing the Kido install. 1/3 turn to snug for me, wheel did not return properly during test run. Dialed back a smidgen, much better. Steering is more responsive and tight, but haven't got on the tollway yet to check minor shake at 60mph.
 
I have read all your comments regarding this huge issue and I have started to pay more attention to the steering wheel vibrations around 60 mph. One think i have noticed is that it's not always as bad: same tires, same roads, same speed. The only think I didn't pay attention to is the outside temperature, which affects the tire pressure which it could affect the wheel balance in a way. More to follow.
 
jasonz44 said:
So is it ok just to turn the wheel and adjust. Seems easier to do it that way. Have most guys done it this way without any issues.
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If you turn the wheel for access thats OK I would just back off of turning the wheel all the way because you don't want any back pressure on the steering rack while doing this adjustment.After turning the wheel jigle the steering back and forth a little and get to a much as possible neutral tension on the rack as possible position.

Just wanted to add that though you can adsjust the bolt with the tires on the ground the BEST way is still to raise the left wheel off the ground to make sure there is no tension against the steering rack----just a good practice.
 
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good find how many miles on the vehicle? (for all u guys been affected) i got 60k & so far wheel alignment is doing its job. just had my bubbly dash replaced as a courtesy from dealer parts & labor free, whoolaa it looks fresh from inside.:wink (2):
 
Took the rack bolt out , took pictures incase you guys were wondering what the inside looked like and what its function was


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Just finished this DIY hoping to cure the 55mph shake in our 06 FX45. Just like everyone else, this was very easy and fixed the problem with what amounts to "4 clicks" on my ratchet. About a 1/4 turn and my anoying shake is gone! Unfortunately, it was not good enough to fix the vibration I had with my 25mm spacers so they were removed today. Back to stock stance (man, I miss that flush look) but is smooth as silk again. Thanks guys for posting this...I would have never found this otherwise.
 
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