shimmy problem started

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Oct 31, 2020 | 10:51 PM

41505379

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From: Wildwood, Mo

shimmy problem started

Our 1950 Ford F-3 has been restored for 22 some years. A couple of years ago at a Hershey show I bought a new pair of 17 x 7.00 Firestone heavy duty front tires to replace the ones I bought back 35 years ago for it. I was worried about their age. It had never had the shimmy problem before I put these new tires on. It takes all the fun out of driving it after hitting a pothole or rough area. If I had kept both of the old tires, I would put them back on to find out if for sure that the shimmy is caused by the new tires. I only kept one as a spare. Guess I could put the spare on and see what happens. any ideas or suggestions welcomed.

Oct 31, 2020 | 11:20 PM

fordf348

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From: near Philadelphia Pa

Have you had your tires balanced and the front end aligned?
Ed
near Philadelphia

Nov 1, 2020 | 07:38 PM

41505379

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From: Wildwood, Mo

I did check the toe in. It had none so I gave it 1/4 inch. I had not had the new tires balanced as they didn't seem to need it. Thank you for your reply.

Nov 2, 2020 | 11:56 AM

underthebridgejim

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From: paradise, northern calif.

Are they the same size and pattern as the rears? If so you could try rotating the front's and rear's to see if the shimmy follows the wheels?????

Nov 2, 2020 | 01:49 PM

FortyNiner

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From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41505379

I did check the toe in. It had none so I gave it 1/4 inch. I had not had the new tires balanced as they didn't seem to need it. Thank you for your reply.

So I am ignorant on this, how does one determine that tires don't need to be balanced?

Nov 2, 2020 | 01:53 PM

1956_F100

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

So I am ignorant on this, how does one determine that tires don't need to be balanced?

You cannot determine if tires need balancing by looking at them.

Nov 2, 2020 | 01:55 PM

1956_F100

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 41505379

I did check the toe in. It had none so I gave it 1/4 inch. I had not had the new tires balanced as they didn't seem to need it. Thank you for your reply.

Your new tires might be badly out of balance or out of round. The later of those cannot be fixed. Like I mentioned in my previous post, you cannot determine if a tire needs balancing by looking at it. If it's not a tire or wheel issue, I've seen badly worn steering boxes cause the issue you describe.