Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Steering shimmy

1.8K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  RockRunner85  
#1 ·
My steering wheel shakes (rotates) back and forth about 1/2 inch, but only at speeds between about 40 and 55 mph. Unfortunately alot of my driving is in that range. What on earth can it be?

33" Kuhmo venture tires. I rotated and balanced last week, no effect.
Tightened track bar bolt. No effect.

Any ideas / things to check?

TIA!
 
#3 ·
check your caster angle. If it is inappropriately shallow, then correct with longer(adjustable) lower control arms in the front. Fix it while it's just a nuisance and before it worsens into death wobble.

-Chris
 
#4 ·
Hate to break it to ya but I've been dealing with that for 10k miles. It goes away and comes. Normally its just a slight shimmy between 45-55. My tires are in perfect balance, toe and caster are right on. I do have the stock steering and track bar and an aftermarket monroe steering damper. I have a feeling the larger tires put more force on the trackbar bushing than it can handle stock. When I get some cash thats what I'm going to replace next.
 
#5 ·
do you have heavy duty steering shock? Also if you have a dropped pitman arm, and not very much lift, that can cause some vibs and wobble.

I figured this out the hard way

JerseyDan
 
#7 ·
Jeepin' Rock Cl said:
I have a ZJ tie rod, stock everything else incl. pitman arm.

Maybe I'll have to look into a new track bar.

I did have a loose lower control arm bolt a month or so back, I wonder if it let the arm move enough to get things out of funk. :confused:
I have the stock pitman arm also. The lower control arms have a washer that keeps them center in the slot. You can use ecentric washers to adjust caster or go with adjustale control arms (which is the recommend method as the washers can move out of adjustment).
 
#8 ·
Jeepin' Rock Cl said:
I have a ZJ tie rod, stock everything else incl. pitman arm.

Maybe I'll have to look into a new track bar.

I did have a loose lower control arm bolt a month or so back, I wonder if it let the arm move enough to get things out of funk. :confused:
I'd check that out. Torque all steering componets to spec. Are you SURE your tires are balanced?
 
#9 ·
greenmachine99 said:
I'd check that out. Torque all steering componets to spec. Are you SURE your tires are balanced?
I know mine are defiantly balanced. I've had them done a couple of times over the past 10k at different places. Each place I watch them balance them to 0 and its always the same wqith the steeringwheel.