'08 Coupe: Vibration on highway

[agnosto]

Hello, I have had my 2008 Altima at the dealer for at least three times now. I had a couple of broken trim pieces at delivery (3 months ago, and the part FINALLY just came in) and some sort of speaker rattle that's probably a blown speaker.

The main issue is that I have a vibration in the front end. It starts at about 60 mph and increases until 75 mph or so. At that speed, the passenger seat has a visible oscillation. You can even see the vibration in the steering wheel.

The dealer is trying to tell me that this is a normal function of the CVT transmission. They are claiming that they have balances the tires, and there's nothing more they can do.

So, my quesitons are: First, is this normal at all? Second, if it's not, how do I get them to fix it?

Thanks!

[agnosto]

Apparently I can't see when when I just wake up. And this forum won't let me edit or delete my topic. That's pretty silly.

[D-Roll]

I assume you have an automatic. Sounds like the tires need to be chekced/balanced if it does it over 60mph.

[agnosto]

I assume you have an automatic. Sounds like the tires need to be chekced/balanced if it does it over 60mph.

That is when it happens. The dealer claims to have checked the tires already though. Do threats to call Nissan ever work? Yes, it is a CVT on the 2.5S

[B Rock]

I have a 2.5S with CVT and I never have these problems. The car rides smooth and beautiful up to 90 MPH.

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

it could have a bent wheel. a bemt wheel will balance out fine on teh machine, but if they dont WATCH it spin, they will never see the movement that would indicate a bent wheel.

[johnny_d]

i'm not sure but you can have someone else drive it and drive another and watch as the car goes up to 80. I've seen so many cars on the freeway with whobbly wheels

[LongBeachCoupe]

Ive taken the 2.5 cvt over 100 on the LI highways... with my 20s (that dont have hub rings btw) and havent seen a shake... other than people nodding at me as i fly by!

Def sounds like a balance issue

[generic808]

That's not normal. Like everyone else said, it's proably tire balance issue. Take your car to another tire shop and if they resolve it, invoice your dealership for the amount. If they don't reimburse you... That's what I'd do, but that's just me

[LongBeachCoupe]

I always keep a bag of bird seed and a box of flat-bottomed thumbtacks in my car for such situations! Right next to my disaster kit (a bag of chips, a bottle of jw blue, and a crank radio)

[generic808]

I always keep a bag of bird seed and a box of flat-bottomed thumbtacks in my car for such situations! Right next to my disaster kit (a bag of chips, a bottle of jw blue, and a crank radio)

^ Mmm JW Blue!! Too rich for my blood though so I just drink the Black

[LongBeachCoupe]

When times are tough... It takes a real man to walk in stride. JWB, your disaster kit "no-brainer".

[Plastics]

I have a 3.5 SE Premium Coupe. I can feel the vibration at 60-75 mph. It is very slight, but noticeable . Just agnoring. Like you, the dealer has balance the tires twice...

when I have time, I will take it to a tire shop that I trust with high speed balancer to check it out on my dime

Plastics

[azalt]

I bought an 08 Altima 6-spd last month (Nov'07). Since new its had a vibration much like you described. Nissan and the dealership are trying to say its normal. I've now put in a complaint with the BBB and my state's attorney general. I've also put my complaint in writing to Nissan. Check out my last dealer receipt:

http://www.castantlers.com/nissan_lemon/

Have you gotten Nissan to resolve your vibration issue?

[CanadianWino]

Hey guys,I assume this topic has been covered in the forum before. Which tires do you have? I have a '07 3.5 sedan, cvt, etc and I had a similar problem out of the showroom. Long story short...it was the tires, my 2 front tires had flat spots. The Bridgestones are known for this problem, likely after they sit for a while and the car isn't moved. Dealer tried static balance first, then road force (dynamic) balance, finally I took the senior tech for a ride and he said he'd keep the car til it was better. He started by putting 4 new tires and wheels on, which fixed it. Then he replaced my tires one at a time until he got the problem again, solved it by replacing the 2 front tires with brand new ones. Be persistent with the dealer, and speak with the Service Manager soon.Good luck ,CheersCW

[generic808]

That's total

They're telling you it's normal? That is NOT normal. Good luck with your issues and keep us updated.

[azalt]

I have the Continentals. I've read on another website forum people claiming replacing their Continental tires with another brand fixed the vibration. So far my 2 front tires have been replaced - same brand/model tires. Problem has not gotten any better.

http://www.castantlers.com/nissan_lemon/

[AltimaJoe]

I had this problem in a previous car of mine. It was a broken belt in the tire. I don't know if the Continentals are belted radials or not but I do know that I had to replace all four of my tires (just because they were all sooo old and I wanted my tread to match on all four). I'd try to see if I could get a loaner set or something so I could test a complete set of new tires out and eliminate that as a problem!

[atlanta3.5]

I had the same exact problem with my 07 3.5SLDealer balanced tires, still had vibration. Brought it back and they took all the tires off the rims and did some type of check to see if the tires could actually be put into balance and found one tire had a flat spot that could not be balanced properly. They replaced it with my spare and now all is great.As mentioned, you need to find the right dealer to help you....

[Plastics]

I've had the slight vibration at 60-80 mph on my 3.5 SE Premium CVT.

I had it balance twice at the dealer and it was better but not resolved.The dealer said they could not detect any vibration and won't take it over 100km/hr (62 mph) on the freeway as they claim it is illegal (what a bunch of bullc**P0. I was totally feed up with that.

I took it to the Goodyear Tire Centre and had it high speed balance, and found the tires to be out of balance by 10 to 20 grams per tire. It was better but still, some vibration is evident. I suspect the tires are not round. I went back to the Goodyear Tire Centre and they will check the tires for roundness and balance on Jan 2.

I hope they can fix it. I shall keep all posted.

Plastics3.5 SE coupe black

[Vet Boots]

No, that is not normal. Mine has never had such a vibration and I hit 115 MPH often. Like just yesterday. I drive it most times between 70 and 80 MPH and it is very smooth. Its' all stock too....... keep the preasure on them till they fix it.

Man it erks me how some Dealers try to cram that crap down yer throat.

Let us know how you make out.......

[Rmuth25]

If a stealership tells you that vibration is normal, say okay, then lets take one of your coupes from the lot for a test drive.

[jesusrmail]

I live in Mexico, I bought my Altima Coupe 3.5 and didn't receive the documentation right, the dealer was giving excuses and I decided to contact Nissan Mexicana in writing and carbon copied to the executives in Japan, belive me, it worked.

Right now I'm having serious problems with the suspension, with any minor bump it emits a very nasty loud sound (it is only 500 Miles for crying out loud!!!), and guess what I am already doing...

[azalt]

I have the Continentals. I've read on another website forum people claiming replacing their Continental tires with another brand fixed the vibration. So far my 2 front tires have been replaced - same brand/model tires. Problem has not gotten any better.

http://www.castantlers.com/nissan_lemon/

Updated the webpage. Big shock, the Nissan rep's slanted evaluation said the vibration is due to the road.

[mcheddadi]

Updated the webpage. Big shock, the Nissan rep's slanted evaluation said the vibration is due to the road.

LOL! it would cost them less to just replace you what you want then having to go trough all those procedures lol.