08 with death wobble & vib - Page 7

**anmut** · 01-06-2008, 11:03 AM

That 'clunk' is the shock bottoming out. Recently I was driving down a snowy gravel road in poor shape. This road had "waves" in it that was like driving over very small whoop-dee-doos. In my old SUV this road would be no problem at speeds of 20mph. In my Titan (2008 non-off road) the front end bottoms out at that same speed. I suspect that the shocks on these beasts are absolute sh1t.

**adkl1** · 01-06-2008, 11:22 AM

i agree with you plus these BFG R/T'S are sh$t and are not helping matters any.....

PatrickL · 01-06-2008, 01:02 PM

Just a thought, but itsn't the bottoming out problem more a result of springs that aren't beefy enough to handle the weight. I thought they primary purpose for shocks was to dampen the bouncing. Certainly a stiff shock will stiffen things up but I thought that handling the weight was the primary work of the springs. Just a thought.

daptech · 01-06-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickL

Just a thought, but itsn't the bottoming out problem more a result of springs that aren't beefy enough to handle the weight. I thought they primary purpose for shocks was to dampen the bouncing. Certainly a stiff shock will stiffen things up but I thought that handling the weight was the primary work of the springs. Just a thought.

Shocks & springs work together, but firmer shocks definitely help
with the bottoming out. I have had Bilstein shocks on three trucks
& two cars...........in every case the Bilsteins made it harder to
bottom out the suspension.

daptech · 01-06-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anmut

That 'clunk' is the shock bottoming out...........................

Shouldn't the suspension be making contact with the rubber stops
before that happens?

HudsonValleyTitan · 01-06-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anmut

That 'clunk' is the shock bottoming out. Recently I was driving down a snowy gravel road in poor shape. This road had "waves" in it that was like driving over very small whoop-dee-doos. In my old SUV this road would be no problem at speeds of 20mph. In my Titan (2008 non-off road) the front end bottoms out at that same speed. I suspect that the shocks on these beasts are absolute sh1t.

This would happen at speeds far below bottoming out the shocks...like speeds you'd use turning into a driveway. I never felt it while driving down the road, only slow maneuvers and usually turning but not enough to lock the steering one way or the other. It was strainge but....my 08 doesn't do it so I'm not too worried.

TNPro4x · 01-06-2008, 11:42 PM

yeah< I got the same problem wih the vibration... 2008 SWB pro-4x. Been to the dealer already> service manager stated "I got a titan too, have the vibration at speeds between 65-80; they have tried everything and cant figure out the problem." Nissan def knows there is a problem but I figure its not an easy fix. I personnally love the truck after test driving all the competitions models. Titan has the best motor, looks and the leather package on the pro4x is the best. I imagine the rancho's/ suspension geometry, along with poor tires and wheels are the culprit. I Knew before I bought truck that I was gonna put a better suspension and wheels on it. PRG Performance/ Maybe a Pro-Comp have'nt quite decided yet!!! I have gotten truck up to 105mph and its as stable as a truck should be at those speeds with no vibration. So, yes its there like everybody else. What really sucks is that the speed where the vibration is worse is right at the speed where we normally cruise on the highway 70-80!!! Very annoying to say the least. I hope the new suspension kit/ wheel tire combo I choose will aleviate this problem; I'm not holding my breath however!!!

So< i have been to the dealer three times already.
1st time- airbag malfunction lamp- dealer had to replace airbag module? 3 days to fix with 350 miles on truck.
2nd time- tearing through truck locating all mx items< oil dipsticks, filters and such; discover no in-cabin microfilter installed. Imagine my surprise when it took about 15 mins removing glovebox carefully and unscrewing filter cover to find nada??? lol-now I realize why quality control sucks in the USA!!! Either factory workers just dont care or there is a breakdown of communication at factory??? Funny though, mx rep stated that he has had two other new 08 owners come in with no cabin filters installed in their trucks. So check and make sure the filters are there. There are two they are split in half to slide past opening... sum design huh???
3rd time with 660 miles on truck. " Service Engine Soon" light has come on. Not flashing but steady. Mx rep manager knows about it -bringing it in for repair as soon as I get a chance. No big deal right, cause its not flashing BUT come on already WTFO!!! I know how to screw on a gas cap- so that cant be it right??? I am getting to know the service department to damn good already... I do love my new truck though- I think>>>lol
Thats all I got> I am glad I found this website> what a great place for finding stuff out bout my new TITAN...

Yes< i will post pics a soon as I get a chance...

HudsonValleyTitan · 01-07-2008, 12:34 AM

The cabin filters are only in the LE and PRO-4X w/leather package. They must be cutting back because my 04 SE had the filter....which is also the most useless POS to begin with. It does nothing! It's not even the carbon activated type that kills outside odors. When I went to change the ones I had in my 04 Titan after almost 3 years, all I had to do was hit it with a little compressed air and reinstall it...it hardly did a thing. Save your money and buy an air freshener!

TNPro4x · 01-07-2008, 08:53 AM

HVT-Yeah, I understand its a gimmick but having alergies pretty bad throughout the year anything is a welcomed help> My point is though- the micro-filter was NOT installed from the factory???? It should have and quality control should have caught this... All I am saying is check!!! Now back to the vibrations??? How is the problem fixed??? Is it the ****y rancho setup< the wheels and tires or anything round for that matter; brake disks, rear ends,etc...

It just seems like something is fubar and there is not one simple fix. Hope I am wrong... But, like another post stated has anybody changed suspensions and the problem was fixed. Reading the suspension forum there are a few guys with lifted and modified 08 suspensions. How do we get an answer from them??? Its obvious NISSAN doesn't care... And yes I do have a bunch of weights of various size and shape welded to the axle!

**adkl1** · 01-07-2008, 10:45 AM

well the senior nissan tech is flying out to look at my truck on monday the 14th... not that I have my hopes high.... but I will be there to test drive and pleed my case...

HudsonValleyTitan · 01-07-2008, 11:10 AM

My thinking is that if it's the shocks or wheels, wouldn't all of us PRO-4X owners have the same problems? Where are the variables here. If it's not the tires themselves, and not the driveshaft, it would leave us with something that differes on every truck...no? Like...manufacturing error. Maybe the rear end isn't correctly aligned or a bad leaf spring? I can't understand why the dealer can't figure it out.
BTW, have you driven other trucks like yours and found they too had this wobble?

**adkl1** · 01-07-2008, 12:57 PM

I have not drove any other titans to see how they feel... I just know that there is something wrong with my truck and I want them to fix it or replace it with one that doesn't have these problems

HudsonValleyTitan · 01-07-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adkl1

I have not drove any other titans to see how they feel... I just know that there is something wrong with my truck and I want them to fix it or replace it with one that doesn't have these problems

Drive a new one like yours at the dealership. Then, if that one os ok, we know it's not a PRO model thing and make them swap parts from that one until it's fixed...OR....swap out the truck completely.

TNPro4x · 01-07-2008, 03:37 PM

ADKL1- I have exactly what you describe in your first post> I wouldn't go as far as calling it a "Death" wobble, BUT it is there. I have a 2008 KC pro4x and let the super, master, chief, engineer, tech, wHaTeVa, know its not an isolated problem. Nissan knows they have the problem. I just dont think they want to fix it... Only time will tell...

BayStateSuks · 01-07-2008, 04:13 PM

For any of you with the wobble, do you notice a difference or not if you have a full load in the bed (firewood, snow, mulch, etc.) or are towing a trailer? Just curious...

I was always under the impression that death wobble resulted from something in the steering or front axle being defective. Short of replacing all the parts at once, it could be trial and error to replace one then another to see if it goes away.

I have a little bit of vibration in my seats, but my '05 did as well. With my A/T tires, I assumed this was all normal. I like a little vibration in my seat anyway.

Also, I didn't see it anywhere in the thread, but have you had the front end aligned in addition to the balancing of the tires? If the alignment was way out of wack, I would imagine some wobbling could occur at speed. At least that has always been a sign to me to go and get my wheels aligned. Just my $0.02.