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Posted By Discussion Topic: Shimmy -- page: 1 2     flatfoot 03-12-2015 @ 11:01 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 253 Joined: Mar 2011 What can cause shimmy? I had the toe in set 0-1/8" But when I did this the shimmy got worse. I was told to check for a bent wheel. Then I was told the tires where too old(1996). In CA can't work on tire over 10 years old. Tire shop would not take them off the rim to check for bent rim. So I guess new tires then check the rim? I guess I'll get new tires. From where I don't know. I guess Coker Any suggestions? (1936 Ford Fordor) I failed to mention that the front shocks are not original. They are modern day tpe. This message was edited by flatfoot on 3-13-15 @ 1:54 PM nelsb01 03-12-2015 @ 11:52 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 975 Joined: Oct 2009 Flatfoot; Find that interesting that a tire shop would not at least dis-mount the tire to check the rim. At least for a possible sale of new tires. But....... Not trying to sound like a commercial for Coker, I have their 600x16 black walls on my car and have 18000 miles in 18 years. The problem with tires and age is dependant on how much time they are in the sun. Your daily driver is exposed to the sun more than your classic -- think about that for a minute. The tire vs. age issue was some lawyer's claim to fame. I asked the Coker reps at Hershey about my black wall tires 3 years ago and he IMMEDIATELY said I needed new tires. Does that sound like salesmanship or liability??? You make the call. Back to your original topic - shimmy. That could be caused by bent rim, out of round tire, front end alignment, or a tire not being balanced. I would first say your tires maybe the cause (California has too much nice weather and sunshine), so, since you want to move forward, get new tires and then at least that part of the equation has been eliminated. CharlieStephens 03-12-2015 @ 12:34 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 880 Joined: Oct 2009 Why can't you spin the wheel and tire assembly and check for run out and out of round? Of course it would be "nice" to have the tires off but this should give you the information you want. Have you considered in investing in a set of tire irons.? The old tires are not that hard to work with. One final thought, if you check with the tire on the rim you will also check to see if the tire is properly made. Charlie Stephens This message was edited by CharlieStephens on 3-12-15 @ 4:44 PM jackb 03-12-2015 @ 1:56 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 8 Joined: Feb 2015 I had to find a shop to balance the tires, wheels and brake-drums while on the car. Some older shops still use this method. The raise one at a time and spin it and check it with a strobe. This is the only way i could get my car to run smooth with no shimmy. The main reason is that the brake drums are out of balance. The new ones I got from Wheel Vintiques were not balanced. The only drawback is you have to mark the wheel if you take it off so that it goes back on the lugs the way it came off. My '40 has been running perfect for almost 11 yrs on the Dunlop Radials I bought and it has over 19,000 miles showing no wear or cracks. trjford8 03-12-2015 @ 6:36 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 4203 Joined: Oct 2009 Have you checked all the usual places for excessive wear? Kingpins, tie rod ends, drag link ends, excessive play in the steering box and the rubber ball on the wishbone. All this should be checked. If your tires are from 1996 and the car sits a lot, you most likely have flat spots in those old tires. fla48 03-12-2015 @ 6:36 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 128 Joined: Nov 2011 I may be missing something here, but have you checked the king pins, tie rod ends, etc? len47merc 03-12-2015 @ 6:41 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1165 Joined: Oct 2013 flatfoot - did the car always have a bit of shimmy and now it is worse? Or did it just start? Does the shimmy show itself at all speeds or only at or above certain speeds? Have you had anyone drive behind and beside you in another vehicle and observe each wheel at speed when the shimmy is apparent to determine which wheel or wheels are the problem(s)? Do you feel the shimmy in the steering wheel or in your 'rear'/seat? Or both? How long has the car sat without being driven? Are your current tires radials or bias plies? Steve This message was edited by len47merc on 3-12-15 @ 6:48 PM 42wagon 03-13-2015 @ 3:25 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 If I was to be asked for the cause of a shimmy in the front end I would immediately suggest loose or worn king pins and tie rod ends. Back in the day that was the prime suspect for a shimmy. If those are absolutely tight only then I would move on to the tires and wheels. flatfoot 03-13-2015 @ 1:52 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 253 Joined: Mar 2011 Len, thank you for your response. I had a small shimmy when I hit a little bump in the road; But now it is a large shimmy. I do have modern day front shocks. I might go back to the original front shocks. The rears are original. I feel the shimmy in the steering wheel big time. Tires are bias ply. Good tread. Mfgred 1996, Sears Allstate. The car sat for about 3 1/2 years w/o being driven. However, it runs really well. The first time I drive it it only shimmied if I hit a small bump and then would smooth at about 35 mph (speedo works good). Now it starts to shimmy at about 20+mph and does not smooth out until about 45-50 mph. I have not had anyone follow me to check the wheels if they wobble. flatfoot 03-13-2015 @ 1:55 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 253 Joined: Mar 2011 I did check the King pins, but they are in good shape. They will need to be fixed in a year or two, though.

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