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| | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 117 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 117 | Installed Royal king pins and needle bearings along with tapered roller bearings. Toe-in and camber are correct, unsure how to check camber. Have developed a terrible front end shimmy from 35 mph up. Everything torqued. No components with excessive play. Any suggestions or solutions welcome!
Thanks, in advance for any help.
cgresham1212
If you don't drive it, why have it?
55 1st Series 3100 5 window
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 155 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2002 Posts: 155 | Tie-rod ends are a possibility, even though you can't feel any excessive play..
Geoff
68 GMC 3800
56 JD420C w/JD90 Loader
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | cgresham1212,
A rotating component is usually the cause of a shimmy. With all the work you have done to the front end, I would suspect a tire or tire assembly for sure. Loose tie rod ends or a sloppy steering box will exacerbate the problem, but it usually starts with a wheel or tire.
If the problem came with all the upgrades, my only thought would be how well the new tapered roller bearing setups are seated on the shoulder of the spindle.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Are the wheels straight? Bent wheels can cause a terrible shimmy and are very common on old trucks.
Are the tires good? An out of round tire, or bulging tire, might cause trouble.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 81 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 81 | I had a 1958 stepside may years ago that developed a scary shimmy that would usually start only when a pothole was hit with afront wheel. All front end items were in good condition. Surprisingly, balancing the from wheels solved the problem.
meansam | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,440 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,440 | I'm with Meansam... Have your tires balanced before you tear anything apart... check the wheel bearing adjustment while the wheels are off.
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 | I agree with the others , check your tires,rims an have em balanced | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Another on for tires/wheels. Alignment adjustments will not cause a shimmy. Some unscrupulus shops will tell you that just to sell an alignment.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 20 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 20 | I agree with longbox55. He is absolutly right.
I myself am a mechanic and work at a kal tire who specializes in front end and drive train repair.
Worn\miss-aligned front end parts wont cause a vibration or shimmy. You should also take rusty rods
advice and double check the bearing adjustment while your wheels are being balanced.
Keep an eye on your front tires for unusual or uneven wear. that will be your indicator wether or not you need an alignment. | | |
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