Bad Shimmy on Front End

[Edward D. Reich]

1960. Would anyone know the reason for a bad shaking of both tires, (seems to be side to side) once in a while if I hit some type of a bump around 35 to whatever. I am still using bias tires. I had a mechanic look at the front end and couldn't seem to find anything. He thought one tire was out of balanced, but that was it. I mean it really shakes pretty good where I have to hit the brakes to settle the shaking.

Ed Reich. ( Florida )

[Chuck R.]

Re: Sounds like a loose joint somewhere

or a sloppy steering box.

If it were up and down, I'd be more inclinde to think tires out of round or out of balance.

Steering linkages should be closely watched with the full weight of the car on the suspension system and the steering wheel turned back and forth.

Same goes with the steering box, pitman arm and mounting hardware to the frame.

Your should probably then move to raising the car and placing a long bar under each tire and flex it up and down to double check the upper and lower ball joints.

Do you have power steering or a steering damper?

I'm sure you have done most if not all of these checks, but there's not alot under the front end that can produce a side to side rocking action through the steering wheel.

One more "out there" possibility, loose wheel bearings?

Ok I'm done. Hope you nail it,

Chuck

[Roy B.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

You said it looked OK looking under the Corvette. Then I would check to see if the DRAG LINK is worn and lost it's tension . It's the main component between the steering box and all other parts that many people over look.

[Dave F.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

Sounds like ball joints to me.

[Louis F.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

I had a similar experience and could never fiqure it out. Then one day i was driving and one of the front tires blew out.When i stopped i noticed that the tire had "peeled"almost like an apple. There were large pieces if the treaded part of the tire on the street.I put two new tires on and never had the problem again.Tire store told me i probably had defective tires.The tires were 3to 4 years old with plenty of thread.Hope this helps you out.

[Michael D.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

Possibly tie-rod ends, idler or pitman arm, maybe a steering box problem. Hope you get it worked out before driving to far. Have the front end checked out.
Mike D #1787

[John M.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

I've had this problem myself but in a later year car and it was the idler arm.

[Mike E.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

Interesting thought--since it's a 60 and has kingpins and no ball joints!

[Dave F.]

and that's why I own a '68 - Chuckster too!

and Chuck Rice swore it had ball joints !! Still sounds like bad ball joints. I'll go back under my rock....

[Terry D.]

Re: Bad Shimmy on Front End

Dave

No ball joints on C1's, they have kingpins! How's the car coming?

Terry Deusterman

[Terry D.]

Re: Bad Shimmy, Check Wheel Bearings Too *NM*

[Dave F.]

No ball joints - kingpins!

Got it! I thought everybody knew that inside every kingpin is a bad ball joint bustin' to get out. Car's coming along Terry....almost ready to fire her up!

[Chuck R.]

Re: I guess I should say OOPs here huh?

What can I tell ya, after looking at this 68 for four years everything looks C-3ish to me

Sorry for the mis-leading statement there Ed.

Chuck