Pot Hole Shimmy
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 9
From: New England
Pot Hole Shimmy
I hit a pot hole yeaserday and my front end started to do the shimmy, almost to the point of lose of control. I had to almost come to a stop to get it to stop shaking. It wasn't a fluke because it did it again a little while later. What do any of you guys think it is? It is a 1976 , all stock.
Any help would be apreciated, thanks
Any help would be apreciated, thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Man, there a lot of stuff under there needs to be looked at, all the bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks. There is also the PS components. Get it looked at, thats not good, that car should rattle your teeth on a pot hole but easily stay nice on the road.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,942
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I had a '67 VW Beetle that did that, but only when I had Cragar S/S mags with wheel adapters on. Didn't do it with regular stock VW wheels. Never found out why that happened.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Well you have a lot to check. As everyone else has said to check.
Since I think I know exactly what kind of shimmy you're talking about, I'll tell you what happened to my truck...
Check to see if the Steering gear box moves when you turn the wheel. You will need to have someone turn the wheel while you watch it. If it moves check to see if it broke off the frame.
I hit a pothole with my truck and it started doing exactly what you're explaining. I could't figure out what was going on... but I finally noticed that the gearbox was torn right out of the frame, and only staying put because it had nowhere to go. But when I turned the wheel you could see it rock, and hitting a pothole it would move enought to SERIOUSLY shimmy the whole truck to the point of lost control.
The fix was arch welding heavy gauge steal over the bolt holes that the box tore out of on both sides or the frame... then bolting the box back on using larger washers for safety... was fine after that.
So check for that play in the steering and remember you have a lot of other stuff to check too if this isn't the prblem.
Since I think I know exactly what kind of shimmy you're talking about, I'll tell you what happened to my truck...
Check to see if the Steering gear box moves when you turn the wheel. You will need to have someone turn the wheel while you watch it. If it moves check to see if it broke off the frame.
I hit a pothole with my truck and it started doing exactly what you're explaining. I could't figure out what was going on... but I finally noticed that the gearbox was torn right out of the frame, and only staying put because it had nowhere to go. But when I turned the wheel you could see it rock, and hitting a pothole it would move enought to SERIOUSLY shimmy the whole truck to the point of lost control.
The fix was arch welding heavy gauge steal over the bolt holes that the box tore out of on both sides or the frame... then bolting the box back on using larger washers for safety... was fine after that.
So check for that play in the steering and remember you have a lot of other stuff to check too if this isn't the prblem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
All the front-end components must be checked for wear.
Pay particular attention to the idler arm. (Located opposite the steering box on the tie-rod) What you describe is a classic symptom of a worn idler arm.
And yes, do check the frame for cracks at all front-end attaching points; steering box, idler arm, etc.
Pay particular attention to the idler arm. (Located opposite the steering box on the tie-rod) What you describe is a classic symptom of a worn idler arm.
And yes, do check the frame for cracks at all front-end attaching points; steering box, idler arm, etc.