Shaking steering wheel Nissan Micra

I have a 1996 1.3 Nissan Micra which has had a shaking steering wheel since I bought it a year ago. I have had the wheels balanced half a dozen times at three different places, and also the tracking done, and it is still happening. In fact, from only doing it at around 70 mph it is now doing it from about 30mph upwards since the last balancing this weekend. The place assures me their balancing machine is accurate, and as they are one of three places to do the balancing for me, I am inclined to agree with them that this is not the problem.

They have also assured me that the wheels are not buckled, and that if they were the balance would have sorted the problem out anyway. I have the the wheels swapped from front to back just in case there was a problem, but it hasn't made a difference.

I don't particularly want to spend a load of money on fixing this problem as the car is old and probably one I would want/need to replace in under 24 months anyway, but it is unpleasant to drive and I am also concerned that the cause could be something dangerous. Does anyone have any idea of the most likely cause, and roughly how expensive this would be to repair as I don't want to spend a fortune on speculative investigation which obviously the garage would like me to do!!

Thank you

Reply to
Loopy Loo
Loading thread data ...

First thing would be to identify which wheel is causing the problem. You need an assistant to do this and you need to be very careful. Jack up one front wheel at a time and put the car in gear, run it up to the speed the problem starts, then try the same with the other side. Your assistant *may* be able to see what is moving relative to what, and thusly identify the problem.

If something on the steering or suspension is bad enough to cause this I would expect an MOT inspector to have at least advised about it. You have got an MOT haven't you?

Steve

Reply to
shazzbat

Does it happen all the time? Is it worse/better when braking? Is it worse/ better when cornering?

If the problem is getting significantly worse, it's much more likely to be something wearing, rather than something bent. Wheel imbalance is not normally detectable at speeds as low as 30mph.

If you are unable yourself to check for wear in suspension and steering components, then a local independent garage is your best bet. The cost shouldn't be much; you don't have to have any suggested work done. What you shouldn't do is to continue to drive a car unless you are sure it is safe!

When is the MOT due? Perhaps you can get a pre-MOT inspection done that might identify the problem.

Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

It happens 99% of the time, just when I am surprised that it seems to have stopped it starts again! Braking and cornering make no difference, it does seem to be accelerating-related!

Thanks, I'll speak to my local garage and see if they can do a diagnosis for me!

The MOT is due in September, but my only concern is that the steering wheel was shaking last year and the only thing detected in my MOT was that my exhaust was worn and might need replacing next time!

Thanks

Melissa

Reply to
Loopy Loo

As the problem seems to still be there even after swapping the wheels around, is it likely to be a wheel that is causing the problem?

I do have an MOT :P But nothing was mentioned in the last one in September, at which time the steering wheel was *only* shaking at

70mph. I also had a service done in November and nothing was mentioned about suspension then which I would have expected it to be. However, as it has since got worse, I will speak to my local garage about the steering and suspension again and see what they say

Thanks

Melissa

Reply to
Loopy Loo

It sounds to me like the effect you'd get if the castor angle of the front wheels was too small. The pivots (kingpins in the old days) that the front wheels have to allow them to steer from side to side are set so that the angle the kingpin makes to the ground is such that an extended line from the pin to the ground hits the ground ahead of the point where the tyre touches the ground. This means that the front wheels tend to centre themselves if you let go of the steering wheel. If the angle is too small this doesn't happen and the wheels can shimmy after a certain speed.

Maybe this point needs checking, although why it is happening (if it is) is unusual.

Rob Graham

Reply to
robgraham

Does it have a balancing/anti-vibration weight on one of the driveshafts?

Andrew

Reply to
Andrew Morton

I'm not sure, but having now spoken to my local garage the next thing they're going to check is the drive shafts and go from there. Fingers crossed that they can identify something!

Thank you all! :)

Reply to
Loopy Loo

Loopy Loo gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

It's certainly sounding like it's further inboard than the wheels. My guess is that something's breaking up progressively, and an oil-soaked rubber balance on a driveshaft has to be a favourite.

Reply to
Adrian

drive shaft problem

Reply to
Mrcheerful

Play in track rod end??

Reply to
Blah

Snip

Not the wheel itself, but related to one side or the other, like for instance the drive shaft or other components as others have mentioned.

Now you've arranged to have it diagnosed, will you let us know what it turns out to be?

Steve

Reply to
shazzbat

Track control arm bushes.

Reply to
Conor

Meaningless the moment it comes off the ramp.

So its not been inspected in nearly 9 months.

Track control arm bushes.

Reply to
Conor

Had this problem on our '96 punto. Swapped both front wheels with back ones on same sides and problem went away. That was about four years ago. No issues since.

Reply to
Davey

Used to have a Vauxhall Viva and had the same prob with that but found a tyre place that had a wheel ballance machine that balanced the wheel on the car so it took the disc and bearings into account and it fine after that. Trevor Smith

Reply to
Trevor Smith

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.