Front wheel shimmy? ant highway speeds

[bobbenedetti]

I have a brand new Rogue SL AWD and I notice what appears to be a front wheel shimmy? at highway speeds. I put a ? after shimmy because it is a strange feeling, the steering feels light at the centre is the best way to describe it. It is a very insecure feeling. I took it to the dealer and a mechanic test drove it with me and he says that's they way they drive. I didn't notice it on test drives on two different demonstrators.
I know some electric power steering systems have drift-pull and compensation and/or active nibble compensation..does the rogue have this.
Any ideas what this might be or do I just have to get used to it.

[kerrton]

That is unbelievable. If your Rogue is anything short of amazingly stable and safe at highway speeds, then there is definatley a problem. Your insecure feeling is an obvious indicator that you have a serious safety issue that needs to be dealth with immediately, and in my opinion if that Tech aknowledged the problem and said "that's normal", he should lose his job. The Rogue should feel 100% solid and secure at highway speeds, and the steering should be very resonsive and solid.

There is currently 2 Technical Service Bulletins for the Rogue regarding steering at highway speeds that could possibly be your problem:

"NTB08097
SERVICE INFORMATION Customers may report that their vehicle "pulls" or the steering wheel is "off-center". This bulletin discusses these subjects and provides diagnostic and repair information. See this bulletin for further detail"

And

"NTB09093
IF YOU CONFIRM: While braking, especially at highway speeds: the steering wheel shakes AND / OR the body vibrates AND / OR the brake pedal pulsates (also known as "Brake Judder"). ACTIONS: 1. Replace both Front Brake Splash Guard Assemblies (Backing Plates) with the part numbers (P/Ns) listed in the PARTS INFORMATION section below. 2. Inspect the front brake rotors. Determine if resurfacing is possible, or if replacement is necessary. 3. Inspect the front brake pads and front brake caliper hardware. Replace each, as needed only. See this bulletin for further detail.

If you definately have a problem with steering at highway speeds I wouldn't mess around with that, it's a serious safety issue and you should take it back to the dealer and insist that they correct the problem, and I'd recommend pointing out the above two TSB's which will be in the computer system already, but they don't sound too bright so far so maybe they need some encouraging....Good luck.

[philipa_240sx]

A number of possibilities here:

- Wheels are out of alignment
- Faulty tire
- Incorrect tire pressure

BTW, NTB09093 only applies to certain 2009 model year Rogue's. Your 2010 model should not be affected.

Edit: This appears to be incorrect see my post below for updated information
front-wheel-shimmy-ant-highway-speeds-t ... l#p5616853



I would not say the Rogue is unstable at highway speed. If anything it cruises right along. I've driven from 50-70mph on all sorts of roads and never noticed any 'instability'. Perhaps the dealer could be right, there is nothing wring with your vehicle and you need to get adjusted to the Rogue. What was you previous vehicle?

[casperfun]

I notice at highway speeds that the steering wheel feels stiffer at center. The best to explain it is that if you let go (not actually do it) it seems to stay center and WANT to drive straight. I always assumed it was the electronic steering and I prefer it. I guess you can say its heavy at center.

[bobbenedetti]

A number of possibilities here:

- Wheels are out of alignment
- Faulty tire
- Incorrect tire pressure

BTW, NTB09093 only applies to certain 2009 model year Rogue's. Your 2010 model should not be affected.

I would not say the Rogue is unstable at highway speed. If anything it cruises right along. I've driven from 50-70mph on all sorts of roads and never noticed any 'instability'. Perhaps the dealer could be right, there is nothing wring with your vehicle and you need to get adjusted to the Rogue. What was you previous vehicle?

My previous vehicle was a 2006 Honda Accord. I did not notice this feeling on any of the demonstrators..at least I don't think I did. The day after I took delivery I drove to Ottawa..150Km..and that's when I noticed. I thought at first it was just a different feel for the electric power steering vs the hydraulic on the Accord.
When I took the test drive with the mechanic the tires were 2 psi over-inflated..not that I would expect that to make much difference. I'm going to drive it some more and see if it is something I need to get used to. If it is still there after a while I will go back to the dealer and insist they check the balance and the alignment.

[bobbenedetti]

I notice at highway speeds that the steering wheel feels stiffer at center. The best to explain it is that if you let go (not actually do it) it seems to stay center and WANT to drive straight. I always assumed it was the electronic steering and I prefer it. I guess you can say its heavy at center.

That's the problem..I expected it to be heavy and relatively dead at the centre but it feels loose similar to the feel you get driving on a steel deck bridge.

[casperfun]

Been driving a few times on the highway and I was thinking of this thread.

Definitely, when driving at highway speeds I get a pronounce stiffness towards center which I really LIKE in straight-a-way freeway driving. Less effort to keep the steering wheel straight but not so obtrusive when changing lanes.

[Cory1591]

I have a brand new Rogue SL AWD and I notice what appears to be a front wheel shimmy? at highway speeds. I put a ? after shimmy because it is a strange feeling, the steering feels light at the centre is the best way to describe it. It is a very insecure feeling. I took it to the dealer and a mechanic test drove it with me and he says that's they way they drive. I didn't notice it on test drives on two different demonstrators.
I know some electric power steering systems have drift-pull and compensation and/or active nibble compensation..does the rogue have this.
Any ideas what this might be or do I just have to get used to it.

[Cory1591]

I HAVE A 2008 ROGUE WITH 53000 MILES TO DATE ON IT. I USE IT TO GO UP AND BACK TO COLLEGE WHICH IS 55 MILES EACH WAY ALL HIGHWAY USING THE NJTP. WHAT I EXPERIANCE IS THAT PEOPLE SAY IT IS A STABLE SAFE RIDE IT IS BUT WHEN U HAVE DRIVEN THIS CUV IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER WIND,RAIN SNOW AND SHIN AND WINDY CONDITIONS IT IS NOT THE MOST BY ANY MEANS. THE CAR ALWAYS PUTS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE WIND WITH THE CROSS BARS MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. ALSO EVEN THOUGH I HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE AT 30K SINCE THEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALWAY ON A STRAIGHT ROAD A TAD TO THE LEFT. IDN IF THAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM FOR MY SYMTOMS. BUT OTHER THEN THAT IT HAS THE BEST RIDE IN ITS CLASS FOR ME SINCE I AM AN AVID NISSAN FAN AND GOING TO WORK FOR THEM AS SOON AS I GET OUT OF LTI. REPLAY IF U HAVE SIMILAR FEEDBACK.

[orijin]

Does the ntb09093 applies to 2008 nissan rogues too? I experience this same exact thing, its so weird because this happen for the longest time and when i drive my girlfriend's toyota rav4 and I brake at highway speeds there is none of these problems.

NTB09093
IF YOU CONFIRM: While braking, especially at highway speeds: the steering wheel shakes AND / OR the body vibrates AND / OR the brake pedal pulsates (also known as "Brake Judder"). ACTIONS: 1. Replace both Front Brake Splash Guard Assemblies (Backing Plates) with the part numbers (P/Ns) listed in the PARTS INFORMATION section below. 2. Inspect the front brake rotors. Determine if resurfacing is possible, or if replacement is necessary. 3. Inspect the front brake pads and front brake caliper hardware. Replace each, as needed only. See this bulletin for further detail.

EDIT: NVM I Just check the TSB it applies for 2008 also. I always thought it was me braking too suddenly or something, great to know its not me

[philipa_240sx]

EDIT: NVM I Just check the TSB it applies for 2008 also. I always thought it was me braking too suddenly or something, great to know its not me

Hmm, when I first read the TSB, it seemed like it did not apply to the '08's. Now I have to rethink that. Here is the first part of the TSB:

2008-2009 ROGUE; BRAKE JUDDER
APPLIED VEHICLE:2008-2009 Rogue (S35)
APPLIED VINS: Vehicles built before:
JN8AS58T(*)9W 056953
JN8AS58T(*)9W 329943
JN8AS58V(*)9W 450108

APPLIED DATE: Vehicles built before May 29, 2009

I will be making an appt with the dealer as my vehicle has also developed the vibration issue. It appears this may be covered under warranty.

I will update everyone once I hear from the dealer by later on next week.

[philipa_240sx]

No luck with the dealer. Apparently, the bulletin does not apply to my vehicle.

[Mark2010]

I noticed this too breaking on a downhill slope. It was a very strong shimmy. I took the Rogue to the dealer this morning and they have to replace some parts in the breaking system. Ask them about that.
ALSO I have noticed that if you have the back windows down at freeway speeds the car shimmys and vibrates excessively. Have any of you noticed that too?

[casperfun]

Go 60-80 on highway with windows open. No shimmy or excessive vibration here. Very smooth even with windows open and sunroof. Also have stick on AVS vent-visors & sunroof deflectors.