front end shake
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: fairfax va
front end shake
hello all, i have an 1980 vette that has developed a SERIOUS shake when cruising down the road at about 40 mph. It feels like the car is about to rattle apart. I noticed that if i get on the throttle real hard the shake goes away,leading me to suspect problem in front end. Also it cruises fine at about 75-80. are there any things i can look at in the garage before i take it in? im new to front end suspension work but have decent knowledge about cars. thanks all!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
First step is to eliminate tires from the equation. Check them for sep and if you don't know how to check seperation, just drive to a tire shop and have them take a look at them. Tread sep is easily visible to a tire person (I ran tire shops 20 years) but the average mechanic does not know what to look for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Jack up front as suggested and grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and try to turn the wheel by hand. Also while still in the air also put a large prybar or a jack under the wheel and see if it moves vertically at all, report back with any play.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
And M/T can suffer from it too, it's something that happens to all tire companies including Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Firestone.
Are the tires on the car radials?
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 476
Likes: 6
A few years back my 71 had much the same problem I thought the front end was goig to fall off.Turned out one of the U joints on the drive shaft had gone bad,But I would still look at the tires.
Last edited by mad pad house; May 22, 2010 at 09:01 PM.
