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front wheel shimmy

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:44 pm
by ruckman101
Ok, so it feels like the passenger side front wheel shimmy/shakes at about 40 mph on the Ghia. Otherwise I don't notice anything slower or faster. What should I look for?


neal

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:53 pm
by Randy in Maine
What happens if you put the front tires on the rear?

If it goes away I would be looking for a tie out of round, a bent rim or an out of balance tire.

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:08 pm
by chitwnvw
Wheel balanced?

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:52 pm
by Hippie
If it just started, look for fresh marks on the rim where a wheel weight might have been. Sometimes they just take a breeze.

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:56 pm
by ruckman101
Balanced with the mounting of the new tires a year ago. Maybe I have lost a weight.

neal

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:56 am
by chitwnvw
ruckman101 wrote:Balanced with the mounting of the new tires a year ago. Maybe I have lost a weight.

neal
Mud ( or whatever ) on the inside of the rim? I would try rotating. I seem to recall someone having this issue and it was a sign of failure for that tire. The tread coming loose or some sort. At any rate, it would be good to isolate if it is the tire/rim or something else.

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:38 am
by Hippie
chitwnvw wrote:Mud ( or whatever ) on the inside of the rim?
Good point there Todd. Often overlooked. And you're right tires with belt separation can shimmy too.

Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:09 am
by hambone
What about wheel bearing adjustment? Too loose can cause wobblies.

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:01 pm
by ruckman101
Well, had the balance checked today, and wheels are balanced just fine. Worn tie-rod ends are causing the shimmy. The worst is on the driver's side, even though the shimmy feels like it's the passenger side wheel.

The guy at the tire shop explained how to measure my toe-in after I get them replaced. They look easy enough to replace.


neal

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:37 am
by ruckman101
Wait a minute, do I need a "pickle fork"? That sounds nasty.



neal

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:54 am
by RussellK
ruckman101 wrote:Wait a minute, do I need a "pickle fork"? That sounds nasty.



neal
They aren't terribly expensive. If I weren't 1900 miles away I'd loan one to you. There is also a tie rod end & ball joint tool. German Supply has them. You might be able to borrow one from a flaps.

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:15 am
by RSorak 71Westy
A pickle fork is not required to get the tie rod end outta the steering knuckle, just a nice hammer. Hit the steering knuckle where the tapered shaft from tie rod goes through it. The force should distort the hole for a milisec and allow the tie rod to pop free. This trick DOES work I've used it many times.....It has the advantage of never tearing up the rubber boots too.

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:15 pm
by ruckman101
Yah, New territory for me again. Ya mean I don't just undo that bottom nut and pop it off of there, then thread it out of the tie rod? I better take a look at my Bentley.

So picked up the new ones this morning, was encouraged to see the box, Meyle Products, Germany. Then I noticed a small sticker on the side, "Made in Turkey".

Thanks Gypsy, the plan is to tackle on my approaching weekend. Ya gonna be at the homefront Sunday morning? Maybe I could swing by and grab that fork hanging. Saturday morning would work on this end, too.


neal

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:00 pm
by RSorak 71Westy
Yes loosen the bottom nut a few turns but leave it on to protect the threads in case you miss with the hammer. (Not that it matters as the threads are going to be replaced.) But just loosening the nut will not allow anything to come loose. The tapered part of the tie rod end will not easily come out of the steering knuckle. Hence the need for a trick or a pickle fork.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:05 pm
by ruckman101
Ok, so got the tie-rod ends in, but have a bit to do still. According to our tape measure, the toe-in is at 1/16 of an inch. But, loosening the lock nut on the inner side of the passenger tie-rod, to adjust both sides, was elusive. No wrench, tight space. So it was all adjusted by turning the driver side tie-rod. Going to have to go back I suspect, as the steering wheel is wonky now. Initially the toe-in was over an inch. Three threads tighter, six total, got us to 1/16 of an inch.

And the boots are torn on the ball joints, so gotta hit the tears with a glob of grease.

I think I'm on the right track. Pickle forks were available here on the mountain, and the old ones came off without too much of a fight.


neal