Steering wheel shakes - Braking at Hwy Speeds

2ndChance

For those who still experience this problem...

I have Ichiba "v2" 20mm all around. From day 1 I've been having vibration issues when going 60mph+. Slight vibration from braking.

Re installed all 4 spacers with power tools and properly aligned/balanced in shop, no driving vibration this time but more noticeable vibration occurs when braking.

It seems like the problem alternates after each install, you either get driving vibration, or braking vibration.

Then I removed only front spacers just for testing, no vibration at all speeds, neither when braking.

I think I'll try another brand with zero reported vibration issues... this problem is driving me mad but I cannot drive my Z without them, it looks weird because I have a front lip.

techfracture

Spacers will create a longer lever if you will for the wheel. So any vibration you feel is going to be exaggerated depending on how big your spacers are. Also, they can have imperfect runout, which will also cause you some vibrations.

thezmonster

check for wheel stud clearance from wheel spacers to wheels i had the same proble and i had to grind down some inside of the wheel bolt in the back side to give more clearance from the wheel studs and the problem went away and found the problem but thats on my 19s sports package wheels

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osbornsm

Well what was the problem !!

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Mike

yep, stock wheel studs extend slightly beyond the 20mm spacer, like 21mm or so and interfere with a good mating surface.

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Dallaz

I have this same issue (only when braking) without running spacers. My car has 36,xxx miles and I'm wondering if I should try and get the rotors machined or just replace them with new OEM's or just get a good pair of aftermarket depending on what the best option per dollar would be? Im thinking they must be a tad warped because when driving slow I can hear a slight squeak with every rotation of the wheel.

I've been thinking about picking up a set of most likely 10mm spacers but this thread is making me rethink until I get this resolved. Any advice is appreciated

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ImportConvert

2012, 10K miles and the same problem here. I'm thinking of taking it by the dealer and seeing what they will do about it. Probably offer to turn them for me being as it has such low miles and is new. I think even the clutch and tires are warrantied against "excessive" wear for 12K miles on new cars.

DarkJak

Had the same problem on the G37 and took it in. Sure enough, it was warped rotors. Infiniti resurfaced them under warranty. However, after a few months, the issue came back. Haven't bothered to take it in yet since it's not my car and my parents don't drive it hard enough to notice.

The issue has started on my Z a few months ago, on and off, and I'm wondering if I should just replace the rotors with aftermarket. Would those warp after heavy use?

ImportConvert

It's the pads and your driving style, not the rotors. I have never had a car do this to me before. It must be Nissan's pads coupled with the fact that I am guessing you use your brakes in the twisties a bit and then stop at a red-light and that's where the harm is done.

Un-even pad material transfer caused by a)poor bedding (I followed Akebono's advice and just drove easy for 500 miles...not the way I plan on doing it this time around. I will follow a more conventional brake-bedding process) and b) driving the car "easy" after getting the rotors hot, and sitting at a redlight letting the pad material burn onto the rotor face.

binary0x01

Check your power steering liquid just in case.

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Dallaz

Took it to the dealer for a brake inspection and sure enough they're warped past the point of resurfacing (fronts only, rears are fine, pads are good). Going with OEM sport replacements although I wish I would have taken some time and found out that there are many good aftermarket slotted rotors all around for the price I paid for 2 fronts. I'm hoping this resolves many issues for me including the shaking of the steering wheel when braking at high speeds, the squeaking when braking at slow speeds which I never hear from other owners sport brakes, as well as the squeak I hear when going only a few mph with every wheel rotation.

I'll let everyone know how it goes after they're broken in a little, fluid was also checked and still looks good

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Cafiax

how much are they charging for OEM sport replacements? once mine are done in for I'm going for drilled slotted or just drilled rotors.

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Dallaz

Gotta look at the receipt again cause I had a bunch of stuff done but it was between $525-560 I think for the 2 fronts. Then I see the entire Rotor, Pad, SS line, and fluid pkg from Z1 for the sport model and all together it's $600!!!!
I was pissed but already paid for the rotors in advance cause they had to get them shipped in. They give you the option from Z1 to get either drilled/slotted, or just slotted and I would have went with just the plain slotted.

First impressions are good though and the shaking hasn't happened at all but I only drove it at highway speeds for a short time today so I'll update this a little later after more driving. The squeaking when braking at slow speeds is gone so far and the pedal even feels smoother than usual. I'll do the Z1 next time, my rear rotors are fine, pads have good life, don't necessarily need SS lines although they couldn't hurt, and my fluids good so no worries

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zilverbullet

*Thread necro*

Just also installed 25mm bolt-on spacers in the front and am experiencing slight wheel shake at 60mph. The shake is not extreme but a definite vibration is felt compared to how the car drove before the spacers. At lower MPH, there are some noises which sound like the hubcentric ring clanking around. Also hear light squealing from time to time.

I am going to re-do and check everything again tonight but the common denominator I gather from this thread is that the shaky experience is AFTER the spacer install. Is there something along the install process that maybe warps the pads? Just wondering so I can avoid this as I install the rear spacers.

Thanks!

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kenchan

if they are quality spacers it shouldn't shake. remove the wheel, recheck the spacer lug torque in a star formation (loosen, then re-torque to 80-85ft/lbs) and also your wheel lugs in star formation 85lbs.

be sure you are using hubcentric type spacer if you are using stock wheels.