Steering wheel shimmy

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May 8, 2002 | 09:34 AM

CoolVette86

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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey

Steering wheel shimmy

Hi folks! The steering wheel for my '86 does the consistent left-right shimmy whether I'm driving low speed or high speed. What could it be? :confused:

May 8, 2002 | 11:57 AM

4GTABODT

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered

St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09

Re: Steering wheel shimmy (CoolVette86)

George, it sounds like it could be one of four things. First, the tires are out of balance (which includes the possibility of a bent rim) or second and worst yet, the belts have shifted in one or both tires. Thirdly, and most likely, front end ball joints have worn out (you have a bottom and top ball joint on each side). and finally, your shocks and/or shock mounts are faulty.

To test the ball joints, lift up the car and place your hands at 12:00 and 6:00 and try to rock the tire in and out...if it does, one or both your ball joints need replacing...

Hope this helps :cheers:

[Modified by Quik86, 10:58 AM 5/8/2002]

May 8, 2002 | 08:34 PM

JasonL

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 3,198

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From: Northern CA

Re: Steering wheel shimmy (Quik86)

Worn tie-rod ends can cause that as well, right?

May 9, 2002 | 02:39 AM

Frizlefrak

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From: El Paso Texas

Re: Steering wheel shimmy (CoolVette86)

Basically, any worn suspension component can cause shimmy. Ball joints, shocks, tires out of balance, control arm bushings, alignment, tie rod ends, bad steering rack, bad wheel bearing....and of course, a tire that has gone south. As quik 86 pointed out, check out the ball joints by trying to move the tire at 12 and 6. Try rotating the tires and see if that helps. If the shocks are old, just replace them. Finding a shimmy or vibration is second only to finding an electrical problem for being a PITA. Good luck

May 10, 2002 | 12:34 PM

CoolVette86

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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey

Re: Steering wheel shimmy (Frizlefrak)

Thanks for the input, fellas. I guess I'll be putting the car on ramps this weekend. My to do list...

1. Resurface front rotor.
2. Drain, refill radiator.
3. Install new temp housing gasket.
4. Replace MAF burnoff and power relays.
5. Trace and check the horn wirings.

Wow, talk about a full weekend...

May 10, 2002 | 12:59 PM

85WHITEZ51

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,785

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From: Leander TX

Re: Steering wheel shimmy (Quik86)

I have this problem for a couple of years now and just got it fixed yesterday (kinda of). Take your car and get the wheels and tires high speed balanced, I went to discount tire. They were able to tell that one of my wheels had a man. deffect and was bent on the inside of the wheel, NOT on either lip. Another way to find out, and a way that doesn't cost $100 would be to rotate your tires and see if the steering wheel stops shaking. If it does then that's where you problem is (wheels and tires). If you do this and it was a tire problem in the front now once moved the car will feel a little shaky about where your butt is. Good luck.