Steering Vibration

[KJ911TT]

Does anyone notice a strange vibration when turning right at low speeds?

It's not wheel/tire balance related as the car drives 100% smooth otherwise.

The problem isn't always there, but it happens quite often.

While turning right, I'll feel a vibration in the car and especially in the steering wheel while turning right. It seems to be at its worst when the car is cold and has been sitting for a while.

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks,KJ

[footbag]

Yes. I've had my car for about 6 months now, and for the past 2 months or so, I have been experiencing something very similar. I don't think it was like this originally, but I can't recall for certain.As you describe, it only happens at low speeds, and only some of the time. It only seems to happen just after starting the car. It is like a vibration, but I hear it more than I feel it (not that it is loud, it is just a faint vibrating sound).I'm going to the dealer in a week, will let you know if they find anything.

[dividedhighw]

Thanks for sharing your experience, footbag and a big Canadian welcome to our group!!

Cheers,David

[EX35_bernard]

I'll try and remember to notice this when I'm driving. Might take a while since everything is still "new" to me.

[Punjab]

Has anyone noticed that the passenger seat shakes like mad when at highway speeds, with no one in it of course...

[kamiguy]

Hmmmmm... only in Canada so far, eh?? I noticed all posters have been Canadian, like me. Count me in too. I left the movie theater last night and turned right, almost at steering lock, and felt it again. Feels almost like a rub, somewhere. Do you all have 18"wheels like I do? I am getting my 17"snowtires and wheels on tomorrow and will see if it goes away. Unfortunately my dealer is 2 hours away so it could be awhile til I get there. Keep us posted and I will do the same.

[dividedhighw]

(So far ...) I don't have this symptom, and yes, I have the 18" wheels.

Cheers,David

[Punjab]

i have 18 no wheel run on this side.. might be a lose inner wheel well shield that is loose.

[CindyG]

YES!!!! You have exactly described what mine has started to do about a month after I got it in August. Mostly when I first start driving, but it can do it at anytime. When I turn right (on occasion....and this is the kicker because when I want my husband to hear it, it doesn't always do it) there will be this sort of grinding noise. I'm not sure where the noise is originating from - it seems like it's from underneath because the whole chasis sort of vibrates. I have a real hike to take it in for servicing so if anyone gets a jumpstart on this dilemma I would really appreciate it!

[dividedhighw]

Welcome, from a fellow Canadian, CindyG!

If someone has any insight into this symptom, please post!

Cheers,David

[footbag]

Just to clarify, I did notice it yesterday after having driven for quite a while, so it doesn't have anything to do with warming up. I do have 18" wheels... next week it will be swapped to 17" for the winter. Will update if it stays or goes or if the dealer has anything to say.It may also be worth mentioning, this vibration is also often proceeded by a "thunk" sound... again, very quiet, I almost feel it more than hear it.

As sad as it is to say, I'm glad a few others seem to have something similar... its nice to be able to share the pain! (and thankfully, it seems very minor at the moment).

[dude153]

I also feel it.

Do you guys have AWD? Can it be an AWD system trying to slip one wheel in a slow turn sometimes? I noticed the sound and vibration is more pronounced on a flat concrete as they have in parking garages. You probably heard how some cars "chirp" when turning in those garages - I think we might hear similar thing.

So do you all who feel this have AWD?

[footbag]

Yes, I have AWD. Since most of the posters seemed to be Canadian, most likely they all have AWD (since it is standard on EX's sold here). Thanks for the new perspective on this.So the question becomes, does anyone else experience this who does NOT have AWD?

[kamiguy]

Yup, in Canada, all EX's are AWD. I have noticed it on asphalt surfaces, never been on a smooth, concrete surface yet. Good thought, though.

[CindyG]

Yes, I have AWD and it doesn't matter what surface I'm driving on. Yesterday my friend was riding with me and she said she could feel the vibration from her side. It seems to be getting more pronounced.

[dmax]

I felt something in the steering wheel when I straightened out from a lefthand turn. Underground parking, asphalt, approx. 6.0C AWD. Feels as if something was rubbing on the steering arm. Then poof, it's gone.

[footbag]

Well, I took the car in to the dealer to get winter (17") wheels on, and had them look into the issue. They were unable to reproduce it, or offer any thoughts. The problem remained with the new 17" wheels.

Has anyone else made any headway?

[EX35_bernard]

Ok, so far I have not noticed this. I've been vigilant about this and trying to feel or hear if mine had it but fortunately (I hope I dont jinx it) I don't.

Read this on the manual, don't know if this helps or not.

Self-test featureThe ABS includes electronic sensors, electricpumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer.The computer has a built-in diagnostic featurethat tests the system each time you start theengine and move the vehicle at a low speed inforward or reverse. When the self-test occurs,you may hear a ªclunkº noise and/or feel apulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal anddoes not indicate a malfunction. If the computersenses a malfunction, it switches the ABS offand illuminates the ABS warning light on theinstrument panel. The brake system then operatesnormally, but without anti-lock assistance.If the ABS warning light illuminates during theself-test or while driving, have the vehiclechecked by an INFINITI dealer.

[ksp205]

YES, I've had the same issue. I noticed it about a month after getting the car (we took delivery in early June). At first, I didn't know how or why it was happening. I mentioned it while the car was in for a regular service last month, but they couldn't replicate the sound, so they told me to come back when it was "more regular." It now happens all the time. And it's not at all related to whether the car has "warmed up" or not. It happens whenever I do a 90 degree right turn while accelerating. The accelerating part is the key. If you do the turn while coasting, the car will not make the sound. But, if you accelerate through the turn, I guarantee that you will notice it.

[EX35_bernard]

Are you guys talking about a high frequency vibration?

Just felt something yesterday, very low speed pulling out of driveway/street turning right. Vibration is similar to when you run over rumble strips at some roads to "wake you up".

Still not sure though could be just the street I was on. Will try to investigate more.

[KJ911TT]

Are you guys talking about a high frequency vibration?

Just felt something yesterday, very low speed pulling out of driveway/street turning right. Vibration is similar to when you run over rumble strips at some roads to "wake you up".

Still not sure though could be just the street I was on. Will try to investigate more.

You described the symptoms exactly. It seems like everyone has the problem!

- KJ

[AWGD8]

My EX35 is producing this weard kinda like a static sound or a spark like sound or like an ABS sound when brake is depress on a snow filled road right on the steering column left side. This happens on and off. It`s hard to reproduce. First I thought it was the Stability control making the noise. I ignored it for a few weeks. Today, i decided to investigate. It happens when I accelarate after a turn. It seems like it is coming from the dash where the tachometer is located.Sometimes after turn and accelerate I could here it , but most of the time It won`t do it.

I have a feeling the sound is coming under the Tachometer gauge. When I heard the sound today, as I was accelerating after a turn (it can happen also during turning when you depress the throttle lightly) I noticed the tachometer needle vibrates! The tachometer didn`t bounce every which way. It did vibrates insync with the strange sound.

Next time you hear the vibrating sound. pls. observe the tach needle.and let us know.


Modified by AWGD8 at 8:47 PM 11/10/2008

[AWGD8]

Might not be this issue but It could be?

G35 / G37 / EX35; TAPPING NOISE FROM DASH AREAWHEN ENGINE IS RUNNINGThis bulletin amends ITB07-007a. Claims Information has been revised.No other content has changed. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.APPLIED VEHICLES: 2007 – 200820082008G35 Sedan (V36)G37 Coupe (CV36)EX35 (J50)APPLIED VINS: G35 Sedan built before :G37 Coupe built before:EX35 built before:JNKBV61E(*)8M 221004JNKBV61F(*)8M 270162JNKCV64E(*)8M 125916JNKAJ09E(*)8M 306599JNKAJ09F(*)8M 361371APPLIED DATES: 2008 G37 / G35 built before: 03-Apr-20082008 EX35 built before: 07-Apr-2008IF YOU CONFIRMA tapping noise coming from the dash area when the engine is running at operating temperature,NOTE: This tapping noise, if it should occur, sounds like a screwdriver being tapped on the work bench.The tapping speed increases and decrease with the engine RPM and may require engine RPM of about3000 for the noise to be heard.DETERMINE IFThe noise is coming from inside the heater core (see Service Procedure).ACTION“Back-Flush” the heater core to remove gray silicone debris.IMPORTANT: The purpose of “ACTIONS” (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will beperforming. You MUST closely follow the entire Service Procedure (starting on page 3) as it containsinformation that is essential to successfully completing the repair.Infiniti Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are properly trainedindividuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. NOTE: If you believethat a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO NOT assume that it does. See your Infiniti dealer to determine if this

[dude153]

So after some experiments I subscribe to the following theory:

It is ATESSA AWD system in "start from standing still" mode. Our AWD seems to splits the power 25-75% between front and rear when starting, from 0 to 12 mph. Then it switches to 100% rear unless it detects any slippage. The 25-75 split at the start makes starting much better (it is nice to start uphill in wet weather without any fuss). However, this "split" actually means that there is a limited-slip differential between front and rear, which starts slip when torque delivered to the front and rear reaches some limit.Now, if you turn the rear wheels and front wheels travel differrent distance so they will fight each other. At some moment, either limited slip diff will start to slip or the wheel will. So depending on conditions of the road and tires the tire can give up first and slip a bit. Now, ATESSA has sensors that detect wheel slippage 100 times per second and re-routes the power to the wheels that are not slipping. When one of front wheels start to slip, the power from the front disappears. That causes the front wheel to get traction again. process repeats, causing "vibration".

So in certain conditions when wheel traction is losing the battle to the limited-slip, the system can produce "controlled wheel sleep" of a sort, causing the slight vibration. The plus side of the story is that I now can start from red uphill with right turn on a crossing where my previous RWD car was just spinning one wheel not even moving...

What do you think?

[KJ911TT]

So after some experiments I subscribe to the following theory:

It is ATESSA AWD system in "start from standing still" mode. Our AWD seems to splits the power 25-75% between front and rear when starting, from 0 to 12 mph. Then it switches to 100% rear unless it detects any slippage. The 25-75 split at the start makes starting much better (it is nice to start uphill in wet weather without any fuss). However, this "split" actually means that there is a limited-slip differential between front and rear, which starts slip when torque delivered to the front and rear reaches some limit.Now, if you turn the rear wheels and front wheels travel differrent distance so they will fight each other. At some moment, either limited slip diff will start to slip or the wheel will. So depending on conditions of the road and tires the tire can give up first and slip a bit. Now, ATESSA has sensors that detect wheel slippage 100 times per second and re-routes the power to the wheels that are not slipping. When one of front wheels start to slip, the power from the front disappears. That causes the front wheel to get traction again. process repeats, causing "vibration".

So in certain conditions when wheel traction is losing the battle to the limited-slip, the system can produce "controlled wheel sleep" of a sort, causing the slight vibration. The plus side of the story is that I now can start from red uphill with right turn on a crossing where my previous RWD car was just spinning one wheel not even moving...

What do you think?

Your theory makes a lot of sense. But I've had many other AWD cars that were 100% RWD unless the front wheels were needed and they never exhibited this behavior.

I came from an FX45 with the same system and never noticed this behvaior either.

The weirdest part is that I only notice it when I turn RIGHT. When I turn left, I don't notice it.

All that being said, it could very well end up being what you said. Perhaps the EX35's that have this problem have a bug in the ATTESA system?

- KJ

[EX35_bernard]

Also to note that I barely feel this vibration but it is easily heard.

It may well have something to do with the ATESSA system. What dude153 described makes sense. From the first time I noticed this I really wasn't that much concerned that something might be wrong. I felt it was just a natural operation of the AWD diff and steering diif.

[footbag]

Hopefully it is normal behavior. I think the concern is that many people seemed to all of a sudden notice this, after owning the car for a period of time. Thus, it seems like an issue developing. Perhaps our cars always had this issue, and others, like myself, just one day started noticing it.

[AWGD8]

It was raining here yesterday and never felt or heard a thing!

Why it only happens when it`s dry ?

[Timmbo]

I never experienced this issue on my '05 G35x which has the same AWD system.

[CindyG]

Mine is still doing it and it doesn't matter if it's warm or cold - always on a right turn and you can actually feel the vibration from underneath if you are even sitting in the passenger seat.