Model A SHAKES

H

Harpoon13

Junior Member
When I go over a bump, my '29 Model wobbles and shakes significantly and continues to do so until I come to a full stop. What causes this???
 
Something in your steering is worn or loose. Go to the search box and type in "Death Wobble." You will see a lot of suggestions.
 
Called death wobble.
Start with properly adjusted front wheel bearings.
Most components of the front end can be worn, and contribute to the wobble.
Might want to ask a local club member for help.
Tom Endy is the southern california Person I would go to if you need a repair.
Bob
 
What you have is called a shimmy. Common when something in front end is loose. It can be anything from loose wheel bearing adjustment to loose steering box adjustment, AND, anything in between.

The problem can be found and corrected. Do not add a steering damper.
 
Harpoon
In one of the Model A club magazines recently was an great article concerning this problem. MAFC or MARC are some of the best sources of good info about A's. plus this
gang of Barners.
Richard in New Bern
 
Very common and deserves your immediate attention. The posters above gave seen it discussed many,many times and the suggested corrections. It is indeed a safety issue with a very specific pian for correction. Read the previous posts and you cannot go wrong! Wayne
 
If loose or worn parts in the front suspension and steering don't fix the problem, then you should check the front axle for being bent. Kevin in NJ has posted pictures of how to check the front axle.
 
King pins
balls on steering arms worn
tie rods ends
out of alignment
worn tires
tires out of balance
steering
worn spring perch bushings
loose wish bone
etc
 
Have a very patient friend sit in the drivers seat while you are under the car looking EVERYTHING over. Have them move the steering wheel back and forth over and over again bumping the steering wheel each way just enough to almost move the wheels. Look for any and all movement. When you do find something(s) loose fix it and the shimmy will go away.
Could be....
Too much play in steering box.
Bolts holding steering box to frame loose.
Bolt holding steering arm not tight enough.
Slop in the ends of the pitman and/or tie rod.
Wishbone ball worn.
After market rubber boot on wish bone ball bad. (get rid of it and go back to original)
Spring perch(s) loose in axle.
Front spring u-bolts loose.
King pins worn.
Front wheel bearings worn/loose.
Front backing plates loose.
Toe in not right.

You do not need the shock damper thing a ma jig. It is just a way of covering up a problem that can and should be fixed.

Others will chime in with stuff I've missed.
 
first check that the wheel bearing has not loosened. hasnt happened to me in an A yet but it was a problem for me in a 76 chevy 4x4. with the car up. grab the wheel at top and bottom and shake. but with the 4x4 it needed. the bearing reset(surprisingly no bearing damage) 4 ball joints 3 u joints 2 axle bearings and a partridge in a pear tree. all in the front axle. best of luck. you are probably setting off on a journey of a whole front end refresh. but you will love the way your car drives afterwords.
 
After checking to see if anything is loose as Dave suggested, I adjusted the Toe In and that solved my death wobble.
 
Okay! First on the long list is wheel balance, simple and cost effective. Next will be the up in the air shake test to see what may be loose and start repairs ASAP - then call in the help of an expert ($$$)

Thanks! Jeff
 
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