old car new problems

[krimsonviper]

i own an 89 s13 non se 216k miles and im getting a couple of problems:

1st-im getting a vibration through out the car(steering wheel doesnt vibrate) when i reach 45+ mph, it started happening after i got some new tires put on at sears, sears kept on rebalancing the tires but still didnt fix the problem, so i brought it to big-o tires and did an alignment, big-o told me it has something to do with the rims which im pretty sure is BS because it wasnt there before the new tire replacement. brought it back to sears and they inspected it and they said its the drive shaft and transmission could this be possible? if it is should i get a performance driveshaft for future performance or just get another stock one?

2nd-my batteries keep dying and i got the alternator checked up at sears they said the recharge system is failing, bring it to the dealership. what do i do?

3rd-am i stupid for bringing it to sears in the 1st place? I dont have alot of trustworthy shops in the the zip code 94533 and i dont have a second car or time to fix big things on my own nor do i have a garage to do it at

this old car is making me so pissed off i just feel like driving it through a wall please can anyone help me!

[Chezedik]

1) The tires are improperly balanced. Yes, it could be possible that the transmission or DS could do it, but it doesn't become a prob until 45. Does it go away at a higher speed? You know, it has happened that something has been left inside of a tire, and caused it to be impossible to balance. I have heard of people putting a little water into their tires to help this. But if someone left a tool in a tire, then I would take it back to Sears and have them re-seat the tires. Also coming from experience, I have seen a number of guys place weights 180' out, and most of the time they put the new guys (with nearly no experience) to balance the tires.2)Check all of your fuses and relays. Specifically, the alternator and main fused links. Also, check the connections on the positive cable to the alternator, specifically at the terminal. The Nissan terminal is a great design because it allows for changing without rigging it or changing the cable, check the connection there. If it has never been apart it may have some corrosion or dirt there. Clean it and remove all of the old grease, then apply a new coat of Dielectric grease. If that doesn't work then start replacing parts (but do check the link)3) Sears, like Firestone and Tires Plus, are a bunch of parts-replacers. That is not necessarily a dis, but they are definately there to diagnose anything. If they created a problem, they will likely cover for it. I would suggest you have another (somewhat impartial) shop check the balance, and be sure to watch. Have them check each tire twice. If there IS a balance problem with the tire (as in something in it) it will show out of balance both times. Then you take the bill (and maybe whatever is in the tire) back to Sears.

Good luck, and sorry to hear about your probs.