steering wheel shimmy

[dp88]

I have a shimmy in my steering wheel that recently started. I took the truck through some minor mud holes camping nothing too big last week. Can an unbalanced wheel cause a shimmy or only a vibration? I dont thing a wheel is bent I have the Alcoas and I dont see anything. What else should I look for? The truck doesn't pull to either side So don't think its an alignment.

 

[Hopman]

It could be serverly warped brake roters. cold water (your mud holes) + hot brakes equals warped disks.

It could also be worn out wheel bearings or ball joints that are starting to go.

 

[dp88]

truck only has 40,000 miles and no pulsing brake pedal... Thanks for your advice i will still check that though.

 

[Hopman]

truck only has 40,000 miles and no pulsing brake pedal... Thanks for your advice i will still check that though.

It never hurts. I didn't know what mileage your truck had.

 

[dp88]

What sucks Is im about to leave for a vacation but not sure I want to drive it 800 miles like that.

 

[Hopman]

You know, I think and unbalanced wheel CAN cause a shake. It's possible (but not common) that you ripped a wheel weight off while off-roading.

 

[dp88]

could a bent tie rod do that?

 

[adsm08]

a badly unbalanced wheel can cause a shimmy. Not common, but it can happen. It's far more likely that you have a big clod of mud stuck in the back of the rim than that you ripped a weight off.

Hit the car wash, see what comes out.

 

[dp88]

I have twice.... When I get home I will rotate tires and see if it improves at all.

 

[nate09]

anyone else think of My Cousin Vinny?

 

[Crunch2690]

It kinda sounds like a warped roter. Does it get worse at higher speeds or when brakeing?

 

[dp88]

Lol It was mud! I cant believe it it was caked on the inside of the wheel I took them off and sprayed them out and bingo all good again. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[feellnfroggy]

You could have cought a lip or edge of rock that busted the belt in your tire, look inside and outside edges for the beginning of a bubble.

 

[AllanD]

Perfect, nate, just perfect.

Have you ever hear the comedy record Joe Pesci did?

it's titled "Vincent Laguardia Gambini Sings Just for You"... it's freaking hilarious. Marisa Tomei even does one track with him and that's even funnier.

AD

 

[straycat]

Ok, my .02 worth now. I remember the first set of KO 33's I got on my 99 Ranger. I had this steering wheel shimmy. It was just a bit too much for me to stand after awhile. My truck did not have the shimmy with the 30's I had on just before I lifted it and added the 33's. So I went back to the 4x4 shop and they re-balanced the tires and it was still there. They checked out everything in the front end and said there is no reason for the shimmy. They told me the tires are very well balanced and no shaking on the balance machine at the hightest speed!!! I had it aligned at the best place that handles large lifted trucks right after the lift was put on and the new 33's!!! I took it back to the alignment shop and they took it out for a spin. The tech took it right back to the tire area and placed the tires on the tire machine and here is what he did....he aired the tire down, broke the beads loose on all the tires and rotated the tire on the rim a bit and aired them back up again. He told me to take it out and see how it felt. It was perfect!!! So this is the trick I learned. If you have the shimmy and all looks good in the front end....try this then.