I'm hoping to be an s2000 owner soon, but until then I'm driving my '93 240SX SE. Since most here seem pretty knowledgeable about how things work in a car I am hoping that you can help me solve a problem that I have.

I get a low vibration throughout the car at various time when going through the gears. It consistently occurs at about 60mph in 5th gear. I took it to the local Nissan dealership. The tech said that he thinks it is the drive shaft. Not believing that the drive shaft has gone bad, I took it to a place that works on and makes only drive shafts. The owner took it off the car and tested the balance, inspected the U joints, and inspected the center support bearing. He said that there is nothing wrong with it.

Last night I put the rear of the car up on jack stands and ran the car through the gears without the rear tires touching the ground. Everything was smooth until I got to about 50mph and then the vibration starts. The vibration would get worse until about 60mph. After that increasing the speed wouldn't make the vibration worse, but it didn't get any better either. When I took the car out of gear, the vibration still happened until the speed went below 50mph. I had a neighbor run the car through the gears while I observed the drive shaft and differential. I couldn't see anything vibrating. I then opened the trunk while he was still at about 60mph and removed the carpet. I could then hear (as opposed to feel) a noise that seemed to be from below the spare tire.

I don't think that it's the tires because I have previously rotated the tires from front to back without any change. If I jacked up the car again without the wheels on it and get or don't get the vibration, what does it tell me? What should I do next to figure out what the problem is?

Thanks in advance,

- Bret

 

My brother just got rid of his 240sx for an accord. he had so many problems with his. It actually vibrated really bad. You could feel the shaking all the time.

Good luck getting your S2k

 

Sorry about the probs. I have had mine since it was new without any major mechanical problems.

The 240SX has been listed as one of the least mechanical problems cars on the road for the 91-95 years.

I can get a vibration at a speed range of about 48-53 mph. It works out at 55 and its not there at 45.

I always thought it was some wheel balance prob or something like that. With your jackstand test I guess not. Could be in the rearend.

I still love mine, although the S2K makes you realize how sloppy the steering is comparatively. Big difference.

I have just completed a complete interior restoration on mine with leather seats etc. next is the paint