You are here:

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/steering vibration

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/14/2009


Question
Hi i have a2008 nissan patrol wagon and from brand new has had a vibration in steering at 101klm to 105 klm wheels have been rotated twice and balanced 3 times has 9oookl on clock any advice would be appreciated

Answer
Mike,

The common cause of this type of vibration is, tires, bent rims, bad bearings, etc.
Another component to check is the front driveline if it is full time 4-wheel drive.  Drivelines are timed and if not set up right can cause this type of vibration.
Even though this has been happening since it was new, it could, still have some faulty steering components such as the ball joints, drag link or tie rod bushings, or even the steering box.
Check online for any recalls or bulletins on this model to see if this has been a common problem.
This should be covered under warranty, and if you are having a problem with the dealer getting this fixed, contact Nisson themselves.  If it can't be fixed, then the vehicle should be replaced at their cost.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.