1999 Pathfinder Vibration: 40 mph - 65 mph

[Haz14U]

Hello, I have been a reader for years ... joined the forum today. I have always found this site helpful with my 1999 Pathfinder issues over over this span of time.

 

My vehichle is a daily driver with over 305k miles.

New tires 5 months ago.

recently experiencing a vibration strong enough to shake rear view mirror, yet not noticable in the steering wheel

starts 40 mph or so smooths back out above 65 mph.

noticed the left frt tire threw a weight so had all four tires balanced.still having same level of viration.

 

I haven't investigated any further yet,, thought I would consult the "Forum" first

 

I have considered the following:

Tire out of round

drive shaft lost a balance weight

U-Joints either drive shaft need replaced.

 

The vibration is constant with road speed between 40-65...

same when I put it in neutral.

 

I don't want to spend a ton of money as the old girl is in her twilight years,

but as I mentioned she is a daily driver and I want to give her the respect she deserves.

 

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Terranovation]

Upper and lower control arm bushes and rear bushes upper and lower. Wheel alignment after that. That's what it was for me. Mine developed a bad shake through the steering wheel when you hit 50 mph. It was so bad you had to fight the steering wheel and you'd have sore hands.

[Slartibartfast]

So you've got a wheel vibration that's not in the steering wheel. My first thought would be to rotate the tires and see if you start feeling it up front. If the tire place didn't balance one of the rear tires right, and you move it to the front, then you'd feel it in the wheel. Rotating them would also give you a chance to visually inspect for uneven wear, rim damage, or other weirdness.

 

If it's not that, then yeah, crawl under and start checking out bushings and U joints. I would also check the front wheel bearings while you're at it, though if they were going I think you'd feel that in the wheel. Same on the bushings, really, any issue with the front bushings would probably show up in the steering and if the rear link bushings were crapping out I think you'd notice more than a vibration. If it's not the tires, the U joints would be my bet.

[Rebelord]

Check your front wheel bearings. Could be bad or worn enough to be "loose" and need tighting.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[RF600]

Also check the strut rod bushings. The bushings deteriorate and the shaft will wear to the point of breaking. If you end up replacing them, get poly.

[Haz14U]

Well between scarce days off and un ending rain here in Virginia, it took a while to get back under my Nissan.

As I had my thumb over one of the u-joint end caps of the Front driveshaft I flexed the shaft very vigorously.

I felt a very small amount of movement, repeating several times to confirm I actually could feel it.

 

When I got the shaft out from under the truck and pulled the u-joints out,, the front one had 2 caps with zero needle

bearings, nothing!

 

I thank you guys for your thoughts and expertise. she's a runnin' good again. 307k miles