GU steering vibration

Sorry I forgot to mention that this problem seems to be more prominent when the vehicle is cold

TJ

I can't offer any suggestions at this stage but a mate of mine had a similar problem on his 2000 model. I owe him a call so I'll ask what he did and get back to you.

Duncs

Friend has same vibration ... Cooper tyre people told him it's a Nissan problem!

Funny that!

Sorry to break up the party, but I've got the same with BFG ATs on a Toyota (Prado!!)

Wouldn't say 'terrible' vibration - but more than satisfactory .. - and I've got between four and five large size weights per wheel - and that's something else I'm not real excited about... Only got balanced last week - need to go back when I get half a chance..

TJ
If your confident enough, could you try and convince nissan to chuck a full set of standard wheels/tyres on it and try it then? That would rule the tyres in or out.
Tim

I've had exactly the same thing on my 2001 GU 4.2 Diesel. Get it back tomorrow from the mechanics who found that the bearings needed replacing. Had a leaking swivel hub seal as well. (Both could be related to that wash away I hit last year)

I'll let you know the outcome.

Cheers

Wayne

Had the same thing in my 2003 4.2ltr although only very very slight with Bridgestones ATs on, but enough for me to notice it. I had tyres replaced with Cooper ST about 3 weeks ago and had OME steering damper fitted about 10 days ago. No more vibration
Cheers
shawn

A mate had the same problem with his 2001 Patrol Tray (with steel rims mind you) It took him a very long time to argue it our with the local nissan dealer after he borrowed my rims and also changed his tyres himself to identify the problem thus confirming it was the rims. I think these steel rims were the cause of quite a few balacing problems. Untimately Nissan came to the party with new rims.
I have had 285/75/16 coopers st's in my 2003 GU since new and no vibrations. Some thoughts:
- If Nissan fitted the tyres for you as part of deal it is definately their problem (keep taking it back)
- If you fitted the tyres after taking possession of the car you may have a bit more difficult argument and might have to have a tyre shop swap the tyres to try to identify the problem.
- One other idea, have you rotated and swapped with spare to try to locate the problem wheel?
- Does the tyre shop say the are able to balance them properly? (i.e. are the wheels OK) and if so, perhaps the problem is car not wheels so you may have to borrow someone elses wheels to test.

I've had that happen to me and each time it's been fixed by a 'proper' wheel balance. A lot of places don't seem to take enough care to balance tyres and simply say they won't guarantee balancing of large tyres. A Bob Jane tyre place, which advertises that they can balance any tyre, said just that when I enquired about their balancing. You just have to find a good place to do the job - not easy.

There are different ways to balance a wheel/tyre. The Bob Jane I go to has 3. One is normal put tyre on rim and use weights. two is balance light part of tyre to heavy part of rim so you can use less weights and third I don't know. They all cost different amounts.

However if your tyre place says they balance fine then I'd tell Nissan if they don't believe you then have them ring your tyre guy and if they still don't believe you tell them to have them balanced somewhere they trust at their expense.

Other possible causes which have been identified over the years:
1) castor angles (need off-set bushes)...usually only needed if it's been lifted
2) wheel alignment using shims
3) tyre/s out of round
4) tail shaft out of balance

The 80 to 90 klick shimmy has been a problem right through the GQ and GU range and the above are just some of the methods that have been used to correct it that I can recall. Mine has it too and I've just gotten used to it. (It's like a "speed alert" LOL)

My mate owns a tyre shop and he maintains that it is impossible to get the wobble 100% out of the Nissan Patrol front end on GQ and GU models. It is just the nature of the beast!
My Gu has done over 200,000 ks and I now have had 4 different sets of tyres with differing results.
It also comes down to the quality of the wheel balancing equipment and skill of the operator.
I rotate my tyres every 10,000 ks and notice changes in the amount of vibration from one wheel to the other. Sometimes hardly at all and others very noticable.
So when a rotation causes more wobble I just back off a bit or speed up a little depending on the speed limit.
The present Cooper ATs have only done 4,000 ks and the 2 on the front are good.
But I won't be surprised if this varies after the next tyre rotation.
Todays 16 inch wide tyres are a huge amount of rubber and it is getting harder to balance them perfectly. Also the suspension on the Patrols is so car like that any imperfections are relayed straight to the steering wheel.

how many k's have you done on them ? I had a problem recently at 90000 k's and fitted new shocks all round,2in heavier springs in the rear and put 2 new tyres on the front and it drives like a new car. (2000 GU Wagon) Done by Tyrepower in Willetton (Perth)

2003 GU TD3 here with factory fitted standard Bridgestone Duelers here AND the same prob, usually when cold and around the 80k mark, with only 8000k on the clock.

Dave