2002 Xterra Vibration / Shake / Shimmy at Speed

[S.Moser]

Any update on this issue? Sick of the vibration and what it does to me after long road trips. The dealerships are clueless when it comes to this issue too.

[iwashmycar]

Mine is still doing it. I have not done much of anything to keep looking though. Played with tire pressure, but didnt help.

I almost feel that a ball joint or tie rod is loose and letting the tires wobble some. Shop had said everything is solid recently though.

I think eventually my next course of action will be Re-indexing my torsion bars. See if anything happens to be stripped, or maybe one side is sagging and bouncy... feels kind of that way.

[fuzzytek]

This may sound stupid (sorry not a mechanic) but could it possibly be the transmission. Maybe when it hits whatever gear it starts acting up. Some scan tools can watch transmission shifts, maybe it corellates?

[compressthis]

I had exact same problem in my 2004 X. I was told to check the u-joints in another section of this forum- looked good but after pulling there was excessive play in the rear joint. Replaced them and vibration disappeared. FYI- you do NOT have to replace the drive shaft when you do this! For more info search the forum for u-joint replacement. Good Luck!

[Squigs]

I have the same issue with my 2002 2wd. Shimmies at around 60, goes away around 75ish. So far sounds like a U joint replacement is in order?

[dawgn86]

Hope someone post an answer to this soon as my 02 2wd has a rumble to it like driving over those strips before a stop sign. Driveshaft feels tight, although that could still be the problem area.

I have a u joint at the transmission, shaft goes through midshaft O rubber ring mounted to frame..has another u joint and then a u joint at rear differential. So I assume if you replace them all there is 3. The middle one is held on a different way than the others.

[thanks28]

It's most likely the u joints on the drive shaft. We just had to change them on my buddies jeep for that same reason of vibration. They felt tight when you checked them but when we pulled them off you could tell they were worn.

Easy fix and fairly cheap.


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[dawgn86]

Thanks....Thanks

think I will replace the 3 joints when my daughter is back home from school and hope I dont need the replace the midshaft bearing

looks like the ujoints would be Dana Spicer 1310