Steering wheel shake

[Scuba Steve]

My Versa was braking 100% perfectly until about the 11,000km or 7,000 mile mark, after that there is a steering wheel wobble while braking between 50 to 60 km or 31 to 37 mph zone. EG if I slow the car down from say 80 kmh down to a full stop the wobble will last a couple of seconds in the 60 to 50 kmh zone that's it, the steering wheel does not wobble other than in that 50 to 60 kmh zone while applying the brakes. The rotors should not need any machining yet at this distance!!! Any thougts out there??? I could say no big deal it's a slight wobble, but not this soon, a NEW car, & it's nowhere near brake service. What ever the problem it is, it should be covered under the warranty. Am I right???

[CodeRed]

Do you have ABS?

[Scuba Steve]

Yesmy Versa has ABS, and I'm know how it works. If I apply the brakes gently the steering wheel still wobbles. I know if I apply the the brakes hard it rattles thus the ABS kicks in. But this is the not the ABS ralltling on. The wobble NEVER happened before. I had a 1991 Honda Civic which had no ABS and had the the same symtoms as the Versa but at a later odometer of 65,000km. My 1999 Toyota Tercel had no problems whatsoever. Thanks for reminding me to say that I have ABS.

[CodeRed]

Why dont you drop it off at your local nissan dealer and get it checked out under warranty. If your lucky, you wont have a bent strut like me.

[COVersaSL]

SCUBA STEVE

[Legacy40k]

My car has recently been doing this as well, I'm curious as to why too, At first I wondered if it was something wrong with the breaks.. but when I had it in at the shop for its 24,000k maintenance last week they said the breaks could use cleaning, but there wasn't anything wrong with them.

As a side note.. my car isnt turning over as fast now. before it would turn over as soon as I turned the key.. now its taking 3-5 seconds.

[Scuba Steve]

So after taking it to the shop, did it stop shaking???

[cyberdeity]

My car has recently been doing this as well, I'm curious as to why too, At first I wondered if it was something wrong with the breaks.. but when I had it in at the shop for its 24,000k maintenance last week they said the breaks could use cleaning, but there wasn't anything wrong with them.

As a side note.. my car isnt turning over as fast now. before it would turn over as soon as I turned the key.. now its taking 3-5 seconds.

Not to threadjack, but I've noticed recently that my Versa doesn't start as fast as I'd expect either. I've got about 7600 miles so far. I was used to my old Dodge Neon, which started instantly even at 160k miles, but this V does crank a bit before it starts.

[BBISHOPPCM]

Sounds to me like a wheel balance issue... sometimes, the weights fly off if not installed correctly.

[Elmojo]

My V has the same braking issue.

Just for everyone's information, my dealer told me that since brakes are considered a consumable item (like oil, filter, wiper blades, etc..) that they can only cover them under warranty up to 11,000 miles. After that, you're on your own.So if you have this problem, get it to your dealer before the clock strikes midnight...errr...11,000 miles!

Cheers!

[Ever Victorious]

Brakes ARE consumables, and if you are a late-braker, your rotors will warp faster than normal. This is just because you're putting more stress on them.

If the shake occurs only during braking, it is likely warped rotors. They can be resurfaced by a brake shop for a small amount.. or if you're under 11k, you can go to the dearler.

If the shake occurs regardless of whether or not you are braking, it's probably balance. Take your car to a reputable tire shop to get it checked.

As for the V turning over more slowly - a question to those of you having this issue, is it by any chance getting hot where you are? I had a Saturn that would take FOREVER to start if it was hot (almost didn't start at all in the blazing 100+ temps in Yellowstone on our honeymoon!). If that's the case, there's not much you can do about it... the car will return to its normal starting routine when the temperatures drop again.

[XterraVersa]

As for the V turning over more slowly - a question to those of you having this issue, is it by any chance getting hot where you are? I had a Saturn that would take FOREVER to start if it was hot (almost didn't start at all in the blazing 100+ temps in Yellowstone on our honeymoon!). If that's the case, there's not much you can do about it... the car will return to its normal starting routine when the temperatures drop again.

Or if you have E10 gas. Ethonal expands/boils at a lower temp & can cause air bubbles in the fuel lines. Try turning the key, but not all they way & let the fuel pump preasurise the fuel line. About 5-10 seconds, then try starting. It should start right up. This happens on mine when it is hot, & doesn't do it when I let the fuel pump preasurise the line.