shimmy at 60 MPH

[sdz]

I'm looking for advice from those experienced with a problem like this.

At 60 MPH I am getting a slight shimmy. I just bought the car this weekend, so I'm sure it could be a lot of things. I put a new set of tires on today (balanced of course). I also replaced all of the front wheel bearings (inners and outers).

I'm not familiar enough with these cars yet to know what are common causes.

It does it even if coasting at 60 MPH.

Driveshaft?

 

[rigamaroles]

Most likely the driveshaft. Check the U-Joints to see if theres a lot of play in them, make sure the bolts are tight on the differential yolk. Has the driveshaft been removed? Maybe it was installed oppositely, you could try to rotate the driveshaft 180 degrees.

 

[rigamaroles]

Oh, did you notice if it shimmied before the new tires were put on? They could have mis-balanced them.

 

[sdz]

Most likely the driveshaft. Check the U-Joints to see if theres a lot of play in them, make sure the bolts are tight on the differential yolk. Has the driveshaft been removed? Maybe it was installed oppositely, you could try to rotate the driveshaft 180 degrees.

The u-joints look good. I will check the bolts and try rotating the driveshaft.

 

[sdz]

Oh, did you notice if it shimmied before the new tires were put on? They could have mis-balanced them.

Yep. The original and new tires both have the same issue.

I had an alignment done today. It seems like it's a little better now, but still not great. I will drive it some more and see if it does feel better or not.

 

[S&B]

try jacking the rear of the car up and test in your drive way, do it with the wheel on and the wheels off, obviously if the shimny is still there with the wheels off thats not the problem, then try indexing the d/s maybe its just not lined up in the right holes. If that doesnt fix it pop it offf and get thi Hi speed balanced. If that doesnt fix it then you know your down to you clutch and flywheel.

 

[sdz]

try jacking the rear of the car up and test in your drive way, do it with the wheel on and the wheels off, obviously if the shimny is still there with the wheels off thats not the problem, then try indexing the d/s maybe its just not lined up in the right holes. If that doesnt fix it pop it offf and get thi Hi speed balanced. If that doesnt fix it then you know your down to you clutch and flywheel.

I put the car up on the lift, and ran it in first gear. I could see the movement side to side in the driveshaft. So I would guess the issue is in that area. I will probably just pick up an aluminum drive shaft and see if it improves things.

The bolts in the rear end look fine.

So I suppose it could be the tranny or rear end too?

 

[Foxfan88]

i used to fight silly vibrations. then i bought an alum DS and it cured it all.

i was hesitant to spend the dough on one but it was well worth it IMO

 

[S&B]

cant you get the D/s from an astro mini van thats alum or somepting?