Shimmy
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Shimmy
Just sprung for radials for my 1951 F1. Nice upgrade from the 17 year old bias plies. I now have a pretty serious shimmy at about 30-35 MPH. Alignment?wheel bearings? The wheels are old and probably not perfect, could this be it? Appreciate in advance troubleshooting suggestions. BB
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,968
From: Rio Rancho, NM
If the wheels were out of round I would think that the person who did the mount & balance of the new radials would have said something (hopefully)
How do they look? are there huge amounts of weights, are there weights mounted opposite one another? There's always a chance that they didn't do a good job on balancing.
It could be loose and worn front end parts also; spring bushings, tie rod ends, etc.
Is it a shimmy or is it the dreaded "death wobble" does the whole steering wheel start vibrating back and forth violently? if so then the toe-in adjustment is the most likely cause.
Good luck
Bobby
How do they look? are there huge amounts of weights, are there weights mounted opposite one another? There's always a chance that they didn't do a good job on balancing.
It could be loose and worn front end parts also; spring bushings, tie rod ends, etc.
Is it a shimmy or is it the dreaded "death wobble" does the whole steering wheel start vibrating back and forth violently? if so then the toe-in adjustment is the most likely cause.
Good luck
Bobby
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Michicot WI
If they are used tires, you could have a broken belt in one tire. If the shimmy goes away after you increase your speed (in your case when get over 40 MPH) you have a broken belt or unbalanced wheel, in my opinion it's a broken belt
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
The tires are brand new and were installed by the best tire shop in town. At installation, it was pointed out that the wheels were not great, but not that bad either. It appears from these two replies that it is the death wobble; therefore I will figure out the toe in adjustment. By chance is there a link or a youtube video that covers that? I am a garage mechanic, but pretty good at following instruction. Thank you, Bobby and Ifed. Billy B.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 81
From: Northville, MI
Just sprung for radials for my 1951 F1. Nice upgrade from the 17 year old bias plies. I now have a pretty serious shimmy at about 30-35 MPH. Alignment?wheel bearings? The wheels are old and probably not perfect, could this be it? Appreciate in advance troubleshooting suggestions. BB
Severe "Death Wobble" occurs when you hit a bump and shaking occurs that is so severe that it shakes the whole truck and won't stop until the vehicle stops.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 791
Likes: 11
From: Louisville
First things first...
Death wobble is more than just a shimmy. Death Wobble will literally jerk the wheel side-to-side so violently you'll swear the tires are leaving the pavement and the fenders will fly off the truck. I am not exaggerating, it is violent! I doubt there are any videos because it would be nearly impossible to hold a camera while it happens. It begins driving normally then suddenly all hell breaks loose. It doesn't ease into a shimmy. Two or three side-to-side bounces and then it's off to the races and it won't stop until the truck stops. While it can happen to most any vehicle it is '86 & earlier Chevy pickups that suffer this the most, especially if lifted and/or huge tires installed.
My experience has been that shimmy below 45 mph is bad tire or wheel. Or loose wheel/lug nuts, mounted improperly, etc.
If it wasn't doing this before the new tires were installed...
Death wobble is more than just a shimmy. Death Wobble will literally jerk the wheel side-to-side so violently you'll swear the tires are leaving the pavement and the fenders will fly off the truck. I am not exaggerating, it is violent! I doubt there are any videos because it would be nearly impossible to hold a camera while it happens. It begins driving normally then suddenly all hell breaks loose. It doesn't ease into a shimmy. Two or three side-to-side bounces and then it's off to the races and it won't stop until the truck stops. While it can happen to most any vehicle it is '86 & earlier Chevy pickups that suffer this the most, especially if lifted and/or huge tires installed.
My experience has been that shimmy below 45 mph is bad tire or wheel. Or loose wheel/lug nuts, mounted improperly, etc.
If it wasn't doing this before the new tires were installed...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I was always told that a shimmy at 30 - 35 was usually a bad tie rod end. If toe-in is incorrect, it can bring out a bad rod end.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,773
Likes: 169
From: Pt.St.Lucie , Fla.
It doesn't mean the tires are perfectly round ! Have had all the tires on the 4 street vehicles trued . Makes a major difference .
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 791
Likes: 11
From: Louisville
If it's the new tires I dang sure wouldn't shave them! I'd demand a new set. Start at the beginning. Your old tires didn't shimmy, did they? What changed? Start there.
Uh, if a tie rod is bad IT will cause the toe to be incorrect. There's no way to have correct toe with a bad end. Most people have absolutely no idea they are driving with a bad tie rod. Well, at least not until it separates and they end up in the ditch. Or wonder why the inside edges of their tires have disappeared. And toe affects both front tires, you can't have correct toe on one side and incorrect toe on the other.
Uh, if a tie rod is bad IT will cause the toe to be incorrect. There's no way to have correct toe with a bad end. Most people have absolutely no idea they are driving with a bad tie rod. Well, at least not until it separates and they end up in the ditch. Or wonder why the inside edges of their tires have disappeared. And toe affects both front tires, you can't have correct toe on one side and incorrect toe on the other.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Really appreciate all the feedback. Pretty much diagnosed as a bad wheel. We put the bad one on the right rear instead of the front, and it made a big difference! I'll start a search for a new set of stock wheels, but in the meantime, the ride is much improved. Thanks again!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trevorrules
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Jun 23, 2018 09:38 AM
ben73058
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
74
Feb 24, 2012 12:31 AM
F-250 WARHORSE
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Feb 19, 2012 01:34 PM
a1parrothead
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Mar 18, 2005 08:51 PM