1999 Infiniti QX4 steering wheel vibration

[maufonseca]

Hi everyone,

I bought a 1999 Infiniti QX4 with 106,000 miles. The car has a steering wheel vibration that comes on only at high speed (between 55-65miles/hour). This is the work done so far to fix the problem WITHOUT ANY POSITIVE RESULTS:

-Front struts replaced
-Front shocks replaced
-Inner and outer tie rods replaced
-Balancing tires
-Alignment (at low and high speeds)

-Front left axle replaced
-Tightened wheel bearings

Any thoughts why the problem persists and only a the specific speeds? My mechanic seems to think now that it is the tires. I just don't want to keep bleeding more money into it without something more concrete than a guess or this "process of elimination" as my mechanic calls it.

Thank you in advance

[Towncivilian]

Remove the front driveshaft and see if the problem disappears. If it disappears, your front U-joints are most likely the issue.

Welcome to NICO!

[Buzzman]

Move/rotate your tires around (front to back), and see if the problem follows the tires.
Had a similar problem a few years ago, and it turned out to be a bad tire (Goodyear Wranglers...POS).

[maufonseca]

Thanks. So, one bad tire (versus ALL of them), can potentially be the source of the problem?! My mechanic mentioned "tires" (as in more than one) and I assumed he meant all 4. Thanks again and best regards,

[hotdawwgman]

What if it is a 2wd. My Pathfinder has a slight vibration from 60-70mph. it's a 2wd. I have had the wheels balanced and new brakes replaced. Just curious. Don't mean to thread jack. My pathy is a 1999.5

[maufonseca]

It is a 4x4. Thanks

[maufonseca]

Remove the front driveshaft and see if the problem disappears. If it disappears, your front U-joints are most likely the issue.

Welcome to NICO!

Hi,

I hope you received my reply to first message (I don't see it posted). Followed your advice (drive shaft removed today) and problem persists. I am bummed beyond words.

If the problem is tires, if I replace only the front tires (2) with brand new ones, would the problem go away or would I have to replace ALL 4.

Thank you all

[Buzzman]

If the problem is tires, if I replace only the front tires (2) with brand new ones, would the problem go away or would I have to replace ALL 4.

Before spending money on new tires, I would still recommend that you move the 2 front tires to the back, and put the back tires on the front.
If the behavior is exactly the same, then you can probably rule out a tire problem.
(Hopefully it's something you can do yourself.)

[maufonseca]

Thank you. I think the mechanic has rotated the tires with the balance and alignment -- I'll ask. Unfortunately, would take me hours to rotate if I were to do it myself....proper tools is a must. Thanks

[9899pathfinder]

This is what cured the vibration for me. Just did the fix a few days ago.

broken-steering-rack-bushing-t578475.html


Also this:

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/steeri ... ement.html

Not sure if the latter is a Pathfinder but it is a similar procedure.

[maufonseca]

This is what cured the vibration for me. Just did the fix a few days ago.

broken-steering-rack-bushing-t578475.html


Also this:

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/steeri ... ement.html

Not sure if the latter is a Pathfinder but it is a similar procedure.

Sorry if has taken me this long to get back to you. A few new developments: first, the bushings were fine. As my mechanic inspected the bushings he noticed the r-axle was spilling oil (which by the way, it was fine before after being inspected by 2 different mechanics). My mechanic insists that something "happened" as I took the car to a different shop for a pre-purchase inspection for an interested buyer.

In any case, as my mechanic was replacing the right axle he decided to check the motor mount. Guess what? It was loose. He tightened the motor mount and the vibration is practically gone. In fact, what I would call now is more like a trepidation, definitely different, and far better than before.

So, THANKS AGAIN TO ALL THAT HAVE CHIMED IN -- all very useful and resourceful. If I keep the car, I will continue the search for the most smooth and perfect ride -- I will keep you all posted. If anything comes up, I'll check. As I said, my goal is a car that drives the way it was intended to.