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Wheels-Tires Front end shimmy on 79 foxbody

  • Thread starter Thread starter 79fox2245
  • Start date Start date Jul 4, 2025
7

79fox2245

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#1
  • Jul 4, 2025
  • #1
Alright everyone, I’m new to the foxbody scene and I’m dealing with an oscillating front end shimmy at 50+ mph. I’ve replaced inner/outer tie rods, sway bar end links, shocks, wheels and tires, fresh alignment and balance. I’m thinking it’s got to be in the steering components further up but let me know what y’all think could be the issue. (It’s also been on a lift and doesn’t have any play in the bearings.)
 

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Mindseye007

10 years still blowing strong
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#2
  • Jul 4, 2025
  • #2
Warped front rotors, I bet...
 
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AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
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#3
  • Jul 5, 2025
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Rack and pinion.
 
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79fox2245

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#4
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Mindseye007 said:
Warped front rotors, I bet...
Click to expand...
It doesn’t do it during breaking any worse or at low speeds so I ruled that out.
 
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79fox2245

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#5
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  • #5
AeroCoupe said:
Rack and pinion.
Click to expand...
What do you think would be happening? Is it something that could be fixed or just replace the whole thing?
 

Mindseye007

10 years still blowing strong
5 Year Member
Oct 21, 2020
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ontario
Jul 5, 2025
#6
  • Jul 5, 2025
  • #6
79fox2245 said:
It doesn’t do it during breaking any worse or at low speeds so I ruled that out.
Click to expand...
My 1991 LX coupe 5.0 was doing the exact same thing as yours, and it turned out to be my front rotors were warped, upgraded to these https://lmr.com/item/PS-1279-26/powerstop-mustang-z26-rotor-pad-kit-front-87-93-5-0 and my problem was solved.
 

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
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#7
  • Jul 5, 2025
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Try to find a shop with an old school wheel balancer that can spool up each wheel/tire separately while they are still on the car... It might help you diagnose it.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
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Claremore, OK
Jul 5, 2025
#8
  • Jul 5, 2025
  • #8
I missed that you have replaced the inner tie rods so I doubt it’s the rack. They typically work or don’t. Could be the rack bushings…

This is a really good thread over on the Corral. The OP did not post up if he ever fixed it but another member posted his fix. Lots of good tech.

https://www.corral.net/threads/fox-front-end-shimmy.2086057/
 
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limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
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#9
  • Jul 5, 2025
  • #9
View: https://youtu.be/oMQQ-XEEias
 
7

79fox2245

Member
Jul 4, 2025
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Colorado
Jul 5, 2025
#10
  • Jul 5, 2025
  • #10
AeroCoupe said:
I missed that you have replaced the inner tie rods so I doubt it’s the rack. They typically work or don’t. Could be the rack bushings…

This is a really good thread over on the Corral. The OP did not post up if he ever fixed it but another member posted his fix. Lots of good tech.

https://www.corral.net/threads/fox-front-end-shimmy.2086057/
Click to expand...
I read the thread a now have a bunch of ideas. Starting with the cheaper options first lol. Thanks for the link! I’ll update on what happens.
 
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
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#11
  • Jul 6, 2025
  • #11
I had a similar issue with 'The Dump Truck', front tires balanced twice by same guy, took it to another shop and they found a bent front rim, the third shop noticed there were a LOT of weight on one rim, the first guy missed the rim being bent......twice!!
might be worth adding to the list..
 
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79fox2245

Member
Jul 4, 2025
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Jul 7, 2025
#12
  • Jul 7, 2025
  • #12
General karthief said:
I had a similar issue with 'The Dump Truck', front tires balanced twice by same guy, took it to another shop and they found a bent front rim, the third shop noticed there were a LOT of weight on one rim, the first guy missed the rim being bent......twice!!
might be worth adding to the list..
Click to expand...
I’ll check it out again!
 
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,916
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203
polk county florida
Jul 7, 2025
#13
  • Jul 7, 2025
  • #13
Easy way to check is to jack up one wheel at a time and put a piece of wood just off the tire and spin the wheel.
 
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