Front end shimmy

[jerrytocci]

Front end shimmies at slow speed braking . Drives fine .

 

[700rpm]

Must be a Model A.

 

[Synchro909]

Do a search. That matter has been discussed to death. All you could wish to know will be in a previous thread.

 

[nkaminar]

Warranty issue. Bring it back to the Ford dealer.

 

[ModelAMike1930]

Check the wheel bearings and or the tie rod ends.

 

[KenBolton]

After addressing everything else I replaced the wishbone rubber ball clamp with a repro original. Did the trick.

 

[jerrytocci]

Thanks Ken

 

[goodcar]

Front end shimmies at slow speed braking . Drives fine .

The dreaded death wobble. Check everything steering related, tie rod and drag link inserts, steering arm and pitman balls. If egg shaped, replace. Check spindles and wheel bearings for wear. Radius ball needs to be tight. Check for proper toe in.

 

[nkaminar]

Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mLjZRAXRRA

Warning: If you listened to 45's in the 50's this will give you an ear worm.

 

[Cape Codder]

I have just done all that "goodcar" suggested PLUS had the end of the axles rebushed. BOTH sides were elongated! In my opinion with what I had the King Pins can move even with the locking horizontal pin installed.

 

[nkaminar]

There is a trick to installing the locking pins. They have to be hammered in and then the nut installed. If someone did not install them correctly then the king pins can move around a bit.

 

[Synchro909]

There is a trick to installing the locking pins. They have to be hammered in and then the nut installed. If someone did not install them correctly then the king pins can move around a bit.

I NEVER hammer those cotter pins in now. I did once and ruined the axle by elongating the king pin eye.

 

[Rob Doe]

Front end shimmies at slow speed braking . Drives fine .

I read somewhere recently that proper setting of the toe-in can sometimes resolve shimmy, even if other parts are worn. Not sure about the braking type shimmy, but would be worth a try if the toe-in is incorrect.

Sounds like your brakes could need adjusting. I use a cheap infrared temperature gauge to read the temps of the drums after a few stops.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yep, my temporary front axle assembly on my 28 had very loose king pin bushings, but the correct toe in, and it never had a hint of shimmy.

 

[Patrick L.]

It can be anything from the steering box adjustment all the way thru to the wheel bearings and anything in between. Thats quite a bit of stuff to look at and fix. Loose king pin bushings are not the problem unless maybe if they are really loose. When everything is checked and fixed if needed then set the toe-in to 1/32-1/16".

 

[Jim Brierley]

I've found it is often looseness in the drag link ends, but all the above should be checked.