Hi,
Thought I'd check in with the latest in my vibration saga - I need more help!
After a couple of brushes with selling the car, I decided I really wanted to keep it and make it right. So I took it to the dealer, had the timing belt replaced (which had not been done by the previous owner) as well as the water pump, belt tensioner, thermostat, etc.
I also turned my vibration problem over to them. They informed me that it was the driveshaft center support bearing, which they then replaced. However, when I got the car back, the vibration was still there! (Even though they said it was test driven, and they didn't feel a vibration.)
So I took it back in today, and now they're telling me that the driveshaft needs to be removed again and rebalanced. Then he said, worse case scenario, I might need a new driveshaft.
Does this mean the center bearing replacement was for naught? Is the center bearing the same as a carrier bearing? Are they grabbing at straws at my expense? I know problems can take some time to track down, but I don't like the direction this is heading.
You always say to turn to the members for advice...thank you in advance.
Marianne
My continuing J30 vibration problem
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cweberj30t
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:24 pm
- Car: 1993 J30t
2003 G35
2007 G35X
2011 G37X
Vibration problems are usually the hardest to diagnose. Have you had your tires replaced and balanced since last time (I remember you saying you only replaced 2)? That concerns me a little bit. How extreme are these vibrations? It could be that your driveshaft is warped and not linking up right with your rear differential. In that case, you would have to replace it.
Let me try to cover everything. Yes, at the time I got tires, I only got two, because I wasn't sure I was going to keep the car. I had the same thought yesterday - that I should replace the tires before I spend any more money on the driveshaft.
I'm also thinking of getting a second opinion, at another tire store that I have discovered when we got tires for my son's Toyota - they have been extremely helpful with the tires (I bought 4 Michelins this time!) and with pinning down a power steering leak that no one else could fix.
I feel so much that I am at the mercy of these car places - both because I am a woman and because I really don't know that much about cars to start with, so when I find a place that I think I can trust it means a lot.
I have been impressed so far with the Infiniti dealer - but time will tell whether I got a good deal or not. They are fantastic with the customer service, but a little thin on details unless I really push. I think most of their customers are just interested in a car that runs, not in the details of why. (This board has been so helpful with that.)
I was hesistant to post the prices because I feel a little embarrassed paying full retail when so many of you are such great DIY'ers, but I'm sure it would be helpful to the discussions, so here goes: The carrier bearing replacement was$166 parts, and $315 labor, and the timing belt, tensioner belt, water pump, and thermostat were about $375 parts and $475 labor. Tell me I'm not being taken to the cleaners too badly!
I like the fact that the work done at the dealer stays with the car in the data base, and I think they know what they're doing. I know I'm paying a premium for that, I just hope it's not too big of a premium.
That's why I was thinking about getting a second opinion on the driveshaft elsewhere. The service manager said it would be a "couple hundred" dollars to rebalance the driveshaft, but if I needed a new one the part was about $800. He didn't say what the labor would be. I've noticed they don't like to upset you with too many figures at once!
Where should I go from here?
I'm also thinking of getting a second opinion, at another tire store that I have discovered when we got tires for my son's Toyota - they have been extremely helpful with the tires (I bought 4 Michelins this time!) and with pinning down a power steering leak that no one else could fix.
I feel so much that I am at the mercy of these car places - both because I am a woman and because I really don't know that much about cars to start with, so when I find a place that I think I can trust it means a lot.
I have been impressed so far with the Infiniti dealer - but time will tell whether I got a good deal or not. They are fantastic with the customer service, but a little thin on details unless I really push. I think most of their customers are just interested in a car that runs, not in the details of why. (This board has been so helpful with that.)
I was hesistant to post the prices because I feel a little embarrassed paying full retail when so many of you are such great DIY'ers, but I'm sure it would be helpful to the discussions, so here goes: The carrier bearing replacement was$166 parts, and $315 labor, and the timing belt, tensioner belt, water pump, and thermostat were about $375 parts and $475 labor. Tell me I'm not being taken to the cleaners too badly!
I like the fact that the work done at the dealer stays with the car in the data base, and I think they know what they're doing. I know I'm paying a premium for that, I just hope it's not too big of a premium.
That's why I was thinking about getting a second opinion on the driveshaft elsewhere. The service manager said it would be a "couple hundred" dollars to rebalance the driveshaft, but if I needed a new one the part was about $800. He didn't say what the labor would be. I've noticed they don't like to upset you with too many figures at once!
Where should I go from here?
Your timing belt, etc. job is in the reasonable range. Did they replace the coolant hoses while they were in there? Get a second opinion.
You are fast becoming an expert (great,
) and with the knowledge you gain here they know that you're no pushover.
Get the new tires. You need them anyway. This is the only variable you haven't checked and it's cheaper than throwing money at secondary possibilities.
You are fast becoming an expert (great,
) and with the knowledge you gain here they know that you're no pushover.Get the new tires. You need them anyway. This is the only variable you haven't checked and it's cheaper than throwing money at secondary possibilities.
mersidoe wrote:Let me try to cover everything. Yes, at the time I got tires, I only got two, because I wasn't sure I was going to keep the car. I had the same thought yesterday - that I should replace the tires before I spend any more money on the driveshaft.
I'm also thinking of getting a second opinion, at another tire store that I have discovered when we got tires for my son's Toyota - they have been extremely helpful with the tires (I bought 4 Michelins this time!) and with pinning down a power steering leak that no one else could fix.
I feel so much that I am at the mercy of these car places - both because I am a woman and because I really don't know that much about cars to start with, so when I find a place that I think I can trust it means a lot.
I have been impressed so far with the Infiniti dealer - but time will tell whether I got a good deal or not. They are fantastic with the customer service, but a little thin on details unless I really push. I think most of their customers are just interested in a car that runs, not in the details of why. (This board has been so helpful with that.)
I was hesistant to post the prices because I feel a little embarrassed paying full retail when so many of you are such great DIY'ers, but I'm sure it would be helpful to the discussions, so here goes: The carrier bearing replacement was$166 parts, and $315 labor, and the timing belt, tensioner belt, water pump, and thermostat were about $375 parts and $475 labor. Tell me I'm not being taken to the cleaners too badly!
I like the fact that the work done at the dealer stays with the car in the data base, and I think they know what they're doing. I know I'm paying a premium for that, I just hope it's not too big of a premium.
That's why I was thinking about getting a second opinion on the driveshaft elsewhere. The service manager said it would be a "couple hundred" dollars to rebalance the driveshaft, but if I needed a new one the part was about $800. He didn't say what the labor would be. I've noticed they don't like to upset you with too many figures at once!
Where should I go from here?
jeeez, with all those prices you listed, i'd hate to be you.
am sure other shops beside the dealership would charge you a lot less to do the same work and still stand behind the work they do. i mean, come on, the dealership is raping you badly
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Q451990
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Marianne, never mind Truest - those prices sounded pretty good to me! I think I paid about $500 for a timing belt for a Maxima back in 1995 (the last time I had one replaced) so 10 years of inflation plus the CA vs. SC price differential should account for that. Truest - I sure hope you're sitting down any time you're near the dealership service department... 
As far as the driveshaft issue - I think maybe you could negotiate having a refund on the center carrier if they replace the driveshaft - assuming the driveshaft comes w/ the new bearing. Did the new bearing help at all?? I wasn't aware the that the center carrier bearing was available separately for the J - I know it's not on the Q.
In either case, it might be worth your time to try to find an independent shop that specializes in balancing driveshafts. I also agree that you're making a good decision to replace all four tires with Michelins and I'd try to find someone who'll precision balance them for you.
Heath
As far as the driveshaft issue - I think maybe you could negotiate having a refund on the center carrier if they replace the driveshaft - assuming the driveshaft comes w/ the new bearing. Did the new bearing help at all?? I wasn't aware the that the center carrier bearing was available separately for the J - I know it's not on the Q.
In either case, it might be worth your time to try to find an independent shop that specializes in balancing driveshafts. I also agree that you're making a good decision to replace all four tires with Michelins and I'd try to find someone who'll precision balance them for you.
Heath
Q451990 wrote:Truest - I sure hope you're sitting down any time you're near the dealership service department...
Heath
LOL. it aint that serious. 99 q45 are not like 93 j30s. the problems i;m seeing on the car is understandable since the car was used mostly for interstate driving which explains the uneven wheels which is in turn causing the vibrating. as far as the hesitation goes, transmission flushing and some other flushing will fix it. no biggie. its a 99 q45t my friend, an elegant vehicle which that you know. all hail my 99q45t...........now
Sorry some of the guys are hijacking your thread Mersidoe. As I said earlier, your cost for the timing belt job is reasonable. You weren't hosed.
The carrier bearing is available for the J. Some z32 guys turned me on to that particular bit of info.
Did the new carrier bearing change the vibration in any way?
The J30 is a beautiful car. You will be well pleased once you get to the bottom of this problem. Think tires.
The carrier bearing is available for the J. Some z32 guys turned me on to that particular bit of info.
Did the new carrier bearing change the vibration in any way?
The J30 is a beautiful car. You will be well pleased once you get to the bottom of this problem. Think tires.
Thanks for the encouragement, VimyJ - I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. (Why did I think I could do this?)
The tire shop I took it to today had a brochure on the counter for a Hunter machine (wheel balancing) - I said "oh good!" They also have the transmission flush machine - is it BG? I'm learning more than I ever knew was out there.
I was surprised that they could replace the carrier bearing too - because I didn't think it was available either. But I guess that's what dealers are for! :-) But isn't it unusual to have to do this kind of work on a car with only 90K miles?
The tire shop I took it to today had a brochure on the counter for a Hunter machine (wheel balancing) - I said "oh good!" They also have the transmission flush machine - is it BG? I'm learning more than I ever knew was out there.
I was surprised that they could replace the carrier bearing too - because I didn't think it was available either. But I guess that's what dealers are for! :-) But isn't it unusual to have to do this kind of work on a car with only 90K miles?
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Not necessarily. Components (rubber, seals, fluids, etc.) degrade over time with exposure also.mersidoe wrote: But isn't it unusual to have to do this kind of work on a car with only 90K miles?
I don't think you are being taken advantage, but no matter who does the work, it is really up to you to monitor the shop's performance. To that extent, you need to learn all you can about your car, and observe and inspect the work to the extent the shop will let you.
I recommend not only reading posts on the J30 and posts by Q45tech, but especially tangalora's posts. In particular, pay attention to her methodology - how she researches, asks well articulated questions about procedures she doesn't understand, then proceeds to carefully document her procedures. It is a worthwhile approach to emulate, although you may want to document the results more than the actual procedures.
I think you are doing fine, and more importantly learning about proper vehicle maintenance.
My goodness, Tangalora is thorough!
I've read a lot of the J30 posts, but haven't found much about vibrations.
I'm not quite to the DIY stage yet, but I'm close. I'm losing faith in the shop I was so impressed with. The person that was doing such a good job for me (one of the owners) went on vacation, and I've been dealing with others at the shop.
It turns out they didn't fix the Toyota's leak after all (and I proved it with a piece of white cardboard under the car for a night - how's that for hi-tech?) Then they returned my Infiniti to me with a piece of the plastic (?) covering the bottom of the car flopping loose. I may have to wait for the owner to come back.
I had some major surgery a year and a half ago, and I really learned about being an advocate for one's own health care. Now I see it's the same with my car! I wasn't really planning on becoming this much of a psuedo-expert (I'm far from being an expert) but I realize you really have to keep a close eye on every step of the process!
I know the service writers want to insulate the mechancs from the customer - how do you work around that?
However, they don't think it's the driveshaft - they think it is the tires. VimyJ, I have a feeling I'll be eating crow soon. I should have fixed the tires first thing. Should I get two more matching Yokohamas, or chuck the two I got in favor of some Michelins?
They told me the tires were out of balance, had flat spots, and were out of round, and those were the problems. Then they told me they moved the front tires to the back, and that got rid of most of the problem, so that's how they knew it was the tires. But I got the car back and the same tires (the new ones) are still in the front - so I don't know if they really found anything out or not. It still vibrates slightly at 35mph (am I the only one that feels it?) but now the 55 mph shake is more of a 45 mph shake, which would make me think if they changed the balance on the tires, and the shake changed, they are related. I just hope it's not that and the driveshaft too!
They also told me my radiator is leaking, and proposed a $700 repair! That's the first I've heard of that one - I don't see any problem, so I told them I would just watch that for a while. (I keep thinking about what Q45 tech said about people not wanting to hear about what's wrong with their car, but I'm a little skeptical on this one.)
Tell me it will get better!
I've read a lot of the J30 posts, but haven't found much about vibrations.
I'm not quite to the DIY stage yet, but I'm close. I'm losing faith in the shop I was so impressed with. The person that was doing such a good job for me (one of the owners) went on vacation, and I've been dealing with others at the shop.
It turns out they didn't fix the Toyota's leak after all (and I proved it with a piece of white cardboard under the car for a night - how's that for hi-tech?) Then they returned my Infiniti to me with a piece of the plastic (?) covering the bottom of the car flopping loose. I may have to wait for the owner to come back.
I had some major surgery a year and a half ago, and I really learned about being an advocate for one's own health care. Now I see it's the same with my car! I wasn't really planning on becoming this much of a psuedo-expert (I'm far from being an expert) but I realize you really have to keep a close eye on every step of the process!
I know the service writers want to insulate the mechancs from the customer - how do you work around that?
However, they don't think it's the driveshaft - they think it is the tires. VimyJ, I have a feeling I'll be eating crow soon. I should have fixed the tires first thing. Should I get two more matching Yokohamas, or chuck the two I got in favor of some Michelins?
They told me the tires were out of balance, had flat spots, and were out of round, and those were the problems. Then they told me they moved the front tires to the back, and that got rid of most of the problem, so that's how they knew it was the tires. But I got the car back and the same tires (the new ones) are still in the front - so I don't know if they really found anything out or not. It still vibrates slightly at 35mph (am I the only one that feels it?) but now the 55 mph shake is more of a 45 mph shake, which would make me think if they changed the balance on the tires, and the shake changed, they are related. I just hope it's not that and the driveshaft too!
They also told me my radiator is leaking, and proposed a $700 repair! That's the first I've heard of that one - I don't see any problem, so I told them I would just watch that for a while. (I keep thinking about what Q45 tech said about people not wanting to hear about what's wrong with their car, but I'm a little skeptical on this one.)
Tell me it will get better!
It will get better. How can it not?
Try the cardboard trick again to see if there is a radiator leak. You had the timing belt replaced and there are hoses that can get brittle that should be changed at the same time. Check to see if the leak is coming from the radiator or slighly back near the front of the engine.
I had a set of Goodyear Eagle HPs on my car when I bought it. When I took the J for the first test drive the car pulled to the left. I thought no problem. An alignment will take care of that. It didn't. The car was starting to shudder when I lifted my foot off the gas at highway speeds. So I started looking into driveshaft related problems. The car was making a weird sound form the rear so I started looking into the differential and rear axles.
I was very unsatisfied with the way the tires were performing: slipping in the wet, touchy on sweeping curves and completely utterly stupid in snow. I bought some Yokohama YK420s.
Best "investment" (nothing you spend on a car can ever be considered an investment) I ever made. Every problem I described above disappeared. The J tracked straight as an arrow, smooth as glass and I stopped slipping all over the place.
By switching the tires around, you changed the vibration. Looks like you've tracked down your problem. Even new tires can be defective from the get go and no amount of balancing will ever fix a misaligned belt.
Was the vibration present before the two newer tires you bought? If so, by two matching tires. If not, replace the whole set. I am very happy with my YK420s from Discount Tires. Some of the Q drivers have not had much luck withthem but Q's have a different suspension set up. Make sure your tires are minimum H rated and have the appropriate load rating or higher. The lower the max inflation the stronger the side walls and that is a good thing.
You're gettng there.
Try the cardboard trick again to see if there is a radiator leak. You had the timing belt replaced and there are hoses that can get brittle that should be changed at the same time. Check to see if the leak is coming from the radiator or slighly back near the front of the engine.
I had a set of Goodyear Eagle HPs on my car when I bought it. When I took the J for the first test drive the car pulled to the left. I thought no problem. An alignment will take care of that. It didn't. The car was starting to shudder when I lifted my foot off the gas at highway speeds. So I started looking into driveshaft related problems. The car was making a weird sound form the rear so I started looking into the differential and rear axles.
I was very unsatisfied with the way the tires were performing: slipping in the wet, touchy on sweeping curves and completely utterly stupid in snow. I bought some Yokohama YK420s.
Best "investment" (nothing you spend on a car can ever be considered an investment) I ever made. Every problem I described above disappeared. The J tracked straight as an arrow, smooth as glass and I stopped slipping all over the place.
By switching the tires around, you changed the vibration. Looks like you've tracked down your problem. Even new tires can be defective from the get go and no amount of balancing will ever fix a misaligned belt.
Was the vibration present before the two newer tires you bought? If so, by two matching tires. If not, replace the whole set. I am very happy with my YK420s from Discount Tires. Some of the Q drivers have not had much luck withthem but Q's have a different suspension set up. Make sure your tires are minimum H rated and have the appropriate load rating or higher. The lower the max inflation the stronger the side walls and that is a good thing.
You're gettng there.