Stuck On Vibration Problem

[johngass]

I think I may be having the infamous 50+ vibration in my 92 240SX hatch. I've asked a few people and searched several forums and the response I received was it's probably my spacers. I recently went all in and bought a set if KICS 15mm bolt on hubcentric spacers and the vibration at 50mph is a lot better, but it gets VERY bad at around 60+ now. I also replaced my blown stock tension rods with the nice SPL pieces.

Others things I have tried to no avail: ASA AR1 17x8 +35 wheels, Hankook Ventus RS2 tires, new S5 five lug conversion, new rotors, new inner and outer tie rods. I've checked my other suspension parts ad nothing feels loose. It's needs front ball joints, but only cause the boots are busted. The only things I can possibly think of that may be the cause that haven't been changed are the upper strut mounts and the driveshaft.

I've spent a lot of time and effort on ridding the car of the vibration. I've also contemplated going ahead and buying a new steering rack as well because of the "recall" that it has. Can anyone think of anything different to try? I'd like to be able to enjoy this thing. Haha. Thanks in advance for your input.
Modified by johngass at 11:09 AM 12/20/2006

[onosqv]

Have you done the common alignment? and tire balancing?

Possible to test without the spacers? or are they needed to clear something?

Tried rotating your tires to see if the problem goes away?

what vibrates? the entire car? the steering wheel? front of car? rear of car?

[johngass]

Just got my alignment done, but usually a vibration won't be caused by an alignment unless it's REALLY bad and there's no evidence of tire wear other than the negative camber i've running. i balanced the tires the same day i installed the spacers. i need the spacers on the front to clear the 30mm z32 brakes. i dont need them on the rear but it makes the car look much better. i kinda figured it was the spacers before because i had some crappy slip on spacers on the rear and with the car jacked up i could put it in gear and you could see the wheel having some lateral run out and without the spacer it was as smooth as possible. i work for a tire company so i checked all the wheels for bends when i balanced them. tire rotation solves nothing. the steering wheel is what shakes most violently but now at around 65 you it shakes so bad you can feel the car start to vibrate from the wheel shake. it seems to be mostly coming from the front of the car. any ideas?

[johngass]

bump. . .

[180fan]

The tension rods you got will contribute to some of the vibrations you're feeling through the steering wheel. Have you checked over the steering rack for play?

[positron1]

Check your steering rack bushings. If they are worn your're going to have some slop in your steering. I changed mine yesterday and there's a definite improvement.

[johngass]

i was think of trying the energy suspension steering rack bushings since they are kinda cheap. other than that idea im still pretty lost and annoyed at this problem.

[positron1]

Check this link zerothread?id=213930

[rogoman]

I recently went all in and bought a set if KICS 15mm bolt on hubcentric spacers and the vibration at 50mph is a lot better, but it gets VERY bad at around 60+ now.

The KICS spacers normally do not come with hubcentric rings which are optional. Did you also get the hubcentric rings; if so, did they fit tight.

If you did all of that, measure the front wheels for run-out by using a dial indicator.

[johngass]

yea, i got the hubcentric rings too and they fit nice and snug. i checked for movement in the wheels. working for a tire company i have access to all methods of checking it being the wheels. it did this before the new wheels and still does it after the new wheels. i eventually decided im going to have my local dealer perform the TSB on the steering wheel shimmy by replacing the spring retainer and adjusting the steering rack friction. we'll see what happens. the part plus labor only runs 60 bucks so if not at least i know its been done.

[johngass]

im taking my car to the dealer on wednesday to have the tsb for the steeing shimmy done. its only like 50 bucks for the whole service so we'll see what happens.

[Defiant]

Driveline U-joint.

[johngass]

that would suck since these arent replaceable. but i did check that when i had it out last time. there was no bingage.

[johngass]

just picked the car up from the dealership after getting these friction spring installed. guess what? DIDNT FIX IT! exactly the same as it was when i dropped it off. where do i go from here. who has INTERMITTENT vibrations?

[guyaverage]

Check your engine and transmission mounts. If they are original, they are probably as firm as jello, and though they arent the source of vibration, they arent helping hold the engine and transmission from bouncing around or in the correct place. The source of the vibration, I'd bet, is the driveshaft, either because it is out of tolerance for runout, or the U-joint angle is too far due to sagging and weak engine/transmission mounts.

[johngass]

new nismo engine and transmission mounts. man i dont wanna buy a new driveshaft so soon, but i may have no choice. but i dont see how it would cause an intermittent vibration.

[cavakilla]

if you have a vibration at at speed its mor than likely in the wheel rotating assembley... sound to me like a spacer issue...

it could also be bearings. have you had the hubs off... they could be loose.

it could be a badly warped rotor...

it could be an axle loose or going bad...

a drve shaft or u-jount vibration will feel like you have a giant vibrator strapped under the car while any of the other problems will feel like the vibration is coming from the road...

i have seen a few carrier brgs go out but they usually soung mor like a grinding sound from the center of the car

one other thing to note: every time you add stiffer motor mounts, k-member spacers, or anything that takes away rubber bushings you are going to add vibrations