Vibration on '92 Q45-

[darbysan]

Well, I guess "in for a penny, ..." Just got the car back from having all the plenum hoses replaced- $1576. I have had a vibration at around 35-45. Thought it might be wheel balance or flat spots on tires, but after researching this forum today it sounds like I have several candidates:1) Trans Mount2) Engine Mount3) Exaust Mounts4) Driveshaft not aligned properly ( Transmission was replaced)5) Driveshaft going out.

Vibration is now reproduceable between 35 and 45, and gets less noticable as you increase speed. I also noticed yesterday after getting the car back from the dealer that there is a resonant noise now as well- sounds similar to a window open at speed- WoWoWoWoWoWoWo.....

Could this info lead any of you to focus in on one of the issues above? I guess I will need to go back to the dealer, but I was not happy with the "Replace Everyting 'til we fix it " approach. Would like to give them some ideas. Was leaning toward having the Transmission mount replaced, as that seems like the most mentioned on the site.

Also, can anyone give any estimates to the cost of the above. I am out of state ( away from my garage) for another 10 weeks, so I really have no choice but to have someone else look at this stuff. I really would like to fix it myself, but until I get it home, I'm stuck!

last Question for Nor Cal- any recommendations for repair shops in the SJ area?

Thanks for all your knowledge and support- It's a great site.

[maxnix]

Probably start with 3rd motor (transmission) mount and exahuast hangers because you probably need them.

I am guessing it will be the driveshaft bearing, though.

[StarPD]

Probably start with 3rd motor (transmission) mount and exahuast hangers because you probably need them.

I am guessing it will be the driveshaft bearing, though.

Agreed. While this may not cure a specific problem, they probably need replacing anyway. Face it, the car is 16 years old (probably sold new first in '91)! This may also cure a number of ills on older Qs in which solutions for various vibration and seeming stumbles should address these usually deteriorated components that may be contributing to the problem, if not directly responsible for them.

Any car over 10 years old probably has a number of deteriorated rubber and/or plastic parts that need replacing. It just make sense to tackle them all before problems appear, and are sometimes made worse by worn/aged other parts.

[96Qowner]

Start with the transmission mount (and the exhaust hangers as long as it's apart). It sounds like the typical 2250 rpm vibration from bad engine mounts. Run it up to 70 mph and see if it does the same thing in 4th gear. A new transmission mount will take most of it out (80% I'd say), but you'll probably need to do the front two mounts too, if it's still annoying. These cars are getting old = hard, cracked rubber.

I don't recall exactly what I paid, but I think the transmission mount was something under $500, with dealer labor.

[96Qowner]

I don't recall exactly what I paid, but I think the transmission mount was something under $500, with dealer labor.

Heheh, I checked my records. Ya, WAY under $500. It cost me $110 for the mount and 1 hour labor @ $80/hr = $193 total. The exhaust hangers would be extra, and I believe parts costs have risen a little since then. Joe's site shows $121 for the mount, now.

[darbysan]

Thanks for the input on cost. I could probably afford that! I think the dealer here is charging $150/hr for labor- at least that's what they charge to do a basic investigation of the system.

[96Qowner]

And as far as a good shop in Norcal, here's a thread about it:

zerothread?id=65440

Nothing definitive, but a transmission mount replacement is no big deal. The local Nissan shop did it for me.

[Haitian_King]

I kinda have the same problem in my Q. It might be a motor mount or transmission mount.

No clue how much it costs. My vibration and "bucking" is reproducible at 45-60. But it is much reduced after i filled the tank. But once I get to like half, or a little under, the car starts acting like it has Parkinson's.

[StarPD]

I kinda have the same problem in my Q. It might be a motor mount or transmission mount.

No clue how much it costs. My vibration and "bucking" is reproducible at 45-60. But it is much reduced after i filled the tank. But once I get to like half, or a little under, the car starts acting like it has Parkinson's.

Likely either a transmission mount or U-joint, maybe both.

[Haitian_King]

got an estimate on the cost/time?

[darbysan]

No cost estimates yet. I have to take the car back to the dealership tomorrow ( they messed up the bumper during tht last repair, so it has to go to their body shop). I was going to pulse them for an estimate while I am there.

[Haitian_King]

Damn. Ok. I'm thinking of bringing my car to Brooklyn. A Q owner from Brooklyn was at a family BBQ and told me about his personal Q mechanic. He's called "Bobby Q45". He's been working on Q's since 89 apparently. He does everything. Bodywork, window tinting, engine, transmissions, the whole 9.

I was told he's very cheap and does great work.

[96Qowner]

If it's a transmission mount, you'll know it - vibration while accelerating through 2250 rpm in any gear - most noticable in 3rd and 4th gear. If not, it's something else.

And hey, congrats on the Q45 tech!

[elwesso]

Heres what I would do...

start with the trans mount and exhaust hangers (do those at the same time). you can do the trans mount in less than an hour on jack stands, its ULTRA simple.

From there if it persists (i bet it wont), tkae the driveshaft down and replace the carrier bearing.

[Haitian_King]

Sounds good Wes. I don't know if I have jack stands, but mi padre has these old school yellow ramp thing. Place them in front of the car, drive up on them, and it give you about 3 feet of elevation. It's awesome for oil change. Can they be used for this job? Anything in the FSM about it?

[elwesso]

Really all there is to for the transmission mount job is as stated.

1. get car off ground (ramps will do fine, and I prefer them to stands personally)2. Place jack under transmission3. Remove thick metal plate from X-member4. Remove 2 bolts from X member to transmission mount5. Remove X member from trans6. Remove mount from trans

Replace the mount and reinstall, its very simple. The exhaust mounts ive never personally done but looks like the hardest part is if the bolts/nuts are rusted. Personaly i would do the exhaust mounts while the car is still kinda warm and spray some PB blaster on there....

[darbysan]

Just heard from the dealer. Says the right rear wheel is bent, and that they could not balance out the bend. To replace the wheel, $500.

Thought I would look for a used wheel. Does the Q45 have wheels that are painted to match the body? ( car not with me, so I can't look). Car is pearl white. Anybody have one near Nor Cal?

Also, saw a previous post about an Infinity Wrecking Yard somehwere in Northern Ca. Anyone have that Info- would be appreciated.

Thanks again for all the great inputs.

[96Qowner]

You should be able to locate a Norcal yard with a used wheel for you by going through http://www.car-part.com. Search for wheels (display w/image) in California. Yours are either the 15x6 "piepans" (first one in the list) or the 15 x 6 1/2 BBS - almost certainly they're the piepans. They're not painted.

Also, it's likely that one or more NICO members have an extra piepan sitting around if that's the one you need. Should be under $100 with shipping.

[Haitian_King]

Grrr. I swear I hate the piepans. I have the BBS wheels. I love them. A PITA to clean (the car wash never gets in those numerous crannies. I have to wrap a rag around my finger and scrub.), I just wish they were bigger though. I really want some 18-20 inch chrome BBS wheels. Even better if they were JDM/BMW deep dish too.

[96Qowner]

I really want some 18-20 inch chrome BBS wheels. Even better if they were JDM/BMW deep dish too.

Then you'd like BlackBirdVQ's wheels:



Check out his cardomain page:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2308804/1

One of my very favorites. He did a gorgeous job.

[Haitian_King]

Daaaamn. I love that look. That's exactly what I want. Seriously.

[96Qowner]

Daaaamn. I love that look. That's exactly what I want. Seriously.

Not too spendy, either - $700 on ebay today. I love 'em too.

(please pardon the threadjack, sorry)

[Haitian_King]

Does it come with tires?

[darbysan]

Well, I'm still working on the vibration issue. I've ruled out the bent wheel as being the cause, as well as tire balance. Also had local shop check out the driveshaft alignment. They thought it was out ( from transmission repair) but changing it did not affect the vibration. They even tried a couple of orientations with no success. Checked the Rear Trans Mounts, and they were good. Repair Tech even thought the Driveshaft bearing was good too! ( Any thoughts on how to check on the car?)

So, with everything I have read, it seams like it must be Driveshaft or Axle Shaft. Vibration comes in between 35 and 45, and then smooths out a little when you get to 60+. Dealer has sort of washed his hands on this one. He wants me to spend $500 to replace the wheel before he will go any further. I'm thinking at this point to just bite the bullet and buy a refurb drive shaft and have the local guys install it.

Would appreciate your thoughtrs ( votes) on this one. I hate to get into one of these "replace everything until you find it" approaches.

Thanks for your inputs. They really help!!

[Haitian_King]

I have the same problem. Coupled with the rough idle and bucking between 40-55 MPH. Grrr.

[goody90q45]

Well, I'm still working on the vibration issue..... Checked the Rear Trans Mounts, and they were good........ Vibration comes in between 35 and 45, and then smooths out a little when you get to 60+.......Would appreciate your thoughts (votes) on this one.

What you're describing sure sounds like the transmission mount and exhaust hangers. Did the mechanic remove the mount and hangers or just peer up with a flashlight? The transmission mount might "look good" but is it compressed to a point that it's no longer effective. The two exhaust hangers attached to the transmission mount might look to be functional until you remove and flex them to find out the rubber is separated from the bracket. Sometimes this is hard to see installed.

I'd recommend removing all three pieces, if the mechanic hasn't already, and taking a closer look. It won't take an hour total to take it all apart and put it back together. Even quicker if you're using a lift. A new transmission mount and hangers are wear items normally replaced at about 100k and are a lot cheaper than a new driveshaft. Good luck.

[Q45tech]

AS to motor mounts find a place were you are stopped [sign] up on hill and turn right.............any vibration judder from up and turning right start?

But 7-8 years and/or 120k is about their life.

The change parts til it's fixed dealer KNOWS every rubber part is worn so every rubber part improves things some.................if often is a basket of things not an individual part.

Once one wears every part attached to it starts wearing faster, a real chain reaction especially in driveline and suspension.

[Haitian_King]

Yeah. I got that. What's it cost to get the transmission mount done?

[goody90q45]

Yeah. I got that. What's it cost to get the transmission mount done?

transmission mount and two exhaust hangers are about $160 from Joe. Labor should be about an hour. Easy DIY.

[darbysan]

re: the Transmission mounts. The mechanic did not remove them- just visual inspection. I do not know if they were changed when the transmission was replaced by the Previous Owner. The car only has 73K miles, with about 8K miles since the transmission was replaced.

In my research, it is said that the transmission mounts cause a resonant vibration at 2250 rpm. The vibration I have is not related to RPM. I can coast in neutral, or drive in 4th at 1200 rpm, and still get the same vibration. No change taking the car out of gear. Vibration always kicks in about 35 mph, and is worst between 35 and 45. Gets a little better once past 45. This is why I sorta eliminated Trans mounts as well as a broken Fan.

What damage might be done to drive this for another 2-3K miles with the vibration? I will be home in about 8 weeks, and I can work on the car there at my leisure. Here, I'm at the mercy of the shops.