Re: Front wheel shimmy

Posted by Glen Weilbaker on August 11, 1998 at 07:44:21

In Reply to: Front wheel shimmy
posted by Fred H. Engelman on August 10, 1998 at 14:50:27

Fred,
To answer your question, yes. It is often over looked when the trouble shooting steering problems.
There are two types available, the original and an after market rubber ball.The original requires the radius ball to be restored to the original diameter, if it anything less or egg shaped it will give you problems, hence the after market rubber ball type that uses a rubber ball over the worn part plus two cast halves to contain the affair.
The way Henry made it is the way to go because it is a more robust design but it will be more involved to repair, welding and grinding. There is a cheating way that is to install a fender washer that is dimpled to shape of the ball take up slop.
The after market rubber is a quick fix, a draw back is the rubber only last a few months. This area receives a lot of pounding that wears fast on the rubber.
To check if it is loose, park your car on the flat somewhere, motor off, parking brake engaged and tranny in first. Crawl under and grab the radius bar at the y area , push and pull with some grunt, if she moves she's loose.
BTW, anything loose in the the system will cause problems, even low tire pressure. Be sure to keep a lube and oil schedule.
Good Luck,
GW