'96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
lug nuts and they're all tight.

What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
causing the shimmy?

Thanks and Best Regards,

Marcel

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

If you can feel a shimmy, you need to replace your steering
dampener, number 21 at:
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/grand_c...sionZJ9398.htm Of
course, something else is trigger it, form wheel balance, or out of
round, wheel bearings, axle universal joints, tierod ends, track bar or
control arms bushings, any one of which could be the cause and need
replacement: http://www.----------.com/TJalign.htm
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

maleemi wrote:
>
> I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
> month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
> very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
> It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
> of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
> minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
> lug nuts and they're all tight.
>
> What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
> causing the shimmy?
>
> Thanks and Best Regards,
>
> Marcel

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

If you can feel a shimmy, you need to replace your steering
dampener, number 21 at:
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/grand_c...sionZJ9398.htm Of
course, something else is trigger it, form wheel balance, or out of
round, wheel bearings, axle universal joints, tierod ends, track bar or
control arms bushings, any one of which could be the cause and need
replacement: http://www.----------.com/TJalign.htm
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

maleemi wrote:
>
> I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
> month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
> very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
> It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
> of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
> minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
> lug nuts and they're all tight.
>
> What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
> causing the shimmy?
>
> Thanks and Best Regards,
>
> Marcel

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

If you can feel a shimmy, you need to replace your steering
dampener, number 21 at:
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/grand_c...sionZJ9398.htm Of
course, something else is trigger it, form wheel balance, or out of
round, wheel bearings, axle universal joints, tierod ends, track bar or
control arms bushings, any one of which could be the cause and need
replacement: http://www.----------.com/TJalign.htm
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

maleemi wrote:
>
> I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
> month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
> very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
> It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
> of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
> minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
> lug nuts and they're all tight.
>
> What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
> causing the shimmy?
>
> Thanks and Best Regards,
>
> Marcel

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

maleemi did pass the time by typing:
> I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
> month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
> very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
> It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
> of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
> minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
> lug nuts and they're all tight.
>
> What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
> causing the shimmy?

It's called deathwobble and it only gets worse. Eventually it can get
to the point where your front wheels are dribbling down the road.
Generally what sets it off is uneven pavement similar to hitting a
speed bump diagonally. Although just one pothole or unbalanced tire
can set it off.

A few questions to start this off.

How old are the shocks?
How old are the tires are are they properly inflated?
How old is the steering stablizer (shock looking device on the steering linkage)?
How long has it been since you ballanced the tires?


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

maleemi did pass the time by typing:
> I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
> month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
> very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
> It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
> of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
> minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
> lug nuts and they're all tight.
>
> What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
> causing the shimmy?

It's called deathwobble and it only gets worse. Eventually it can get
to the point where your front wheels are dribbling down the road.
Generally what sets it off is uneven pavement similar to hitting a
speed bump diagonally. Although just one pothole or unbalanced tire
can set it off.

A few questions to start this off.

How old are the shocks?
How old are the tires are are they properly inflated?
How old is the steering stablizer (shock looking device on the steering linkage)?
How long has it been since you ballanced the tires?


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

maleemi did pass the time by typing:
> I have a '96 6 cylinder Laredo Grand with 125,000 miles on it. Last
> month I thought I noticed an occasional slight shimmy in the front end,
> very slight wobbling and a bit of feedback through the steering wheel.
> It wasn't constant and seemed to be somewhat dependent on the smoothness
> of the road. It's gotten a bit more pronounced over time although still
> minor but I'm concerned it may indicate a problem. I've checked the tire
> lug nuts and they're all tight.
>
> What else should I be checking? Does anyone have any idea what might be
> causing the shimmy?

It's called deathwobble and it only gets worse. Eventually it can get
to the point where your front wheels are dribbling down the road.
Generally what sets it off is uneven pavement similar to hitting a
speed bump diagonally. Although just one pothole or unbalanced tire
can set it off.

A few questions to start this off.

How old are the shocks?
How old are the tires are are they properly inflated?
How old is the steering stablizer (shock looking device on the steering linkage)?
How long has it been since you ballanced the tires?


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

> A few questions to start this off.
>
> How old are the shocks?
They are the original shocks that came with the car (125,000 miles).
FWIW even though they have a lot of miles on 'em they seem to be in
pretty good shape, when I depress each corner of the jeep and release,
they stablize quickly....no excess bouncing.

> How old are the tires are are they properly inflated?
The tires have 40,000 miles on 'em and are showing a little more than
1/8" of tread. I realize they'll need to be replaced in the next
5,000-10,000 miles. They are properly inflated.

> How old is the steering stablizer (shock looking device on the steering linkage)?
It's never been replaced (125,000 miles)

> How long has it been since you ballanced the tires?

I had them balanced when I bought the tires (40,000 miles).

Should I rebalance the tires first and see if that clears things up or
should I replace the steering damper first? Is it possible to test the
damper without replacing it? How difficult is it to replace the damper
on a '96 Grand?

Thanks for the prompt replies!

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

> A few questions to start this off.
>
> How old are the shocks?
They are the original shocks that came with the car (125,000 miles).
FWIW even though they have a lot of miles on 'em they seem to be in
pretty good shape, when I depress each corner of the jeep and release,
they stablize quickly....no excess bouncing.

> How old are the tires are are they properly inflated?
The tires have 40,000 miles on 'em and are showing a little more than
1/8" of tread. I realize they'll need to be replaced in the next
5,000-10,000 miles. They are properly inflated.

> How old is the steering stablizer (shock looking device on the steering linkage)?
It's never been replaced (125,000 miles)

> How long has it been since you ballanced the tires?

I had them balanced when I bought the tires (40,000 miles).

Should I rebalance the tires first and see if that clears things up or
should I replace the steering damper first? Is it possible to test the
damper without replacing it? How difficult is it to replace the damper
on a '96 Grand?

Thanks for the prompt replies!

Re: '96 GC front end starting to shimmy
 

> A few questions to start this off.
>
> How old are the shocks?
They are the original shocks that came with the car (125,000 miles).
FWIW even though they have a lot of miles on 'em they seem to be in
pretty good shape, when I depress each corner of the jeep and release,
they stablize quickly....no excess bouncing.

> How old are the tires are are they properly inflated?
The tires have 40,000 miles on 'em and are showing a little more than
1/8" of tread. I realize they'll need to be replaced in the next
5,000-10,000 miles. They are properly inflated.

> How old is the steering stablizer (shock looking device on the steering linkage)?
It's never been replaced (125,000 miles)

> How long has it been since you ballanced the tires?

I had them balanced when I bought the tires (40,000 miles).

Should I rebalance the tires first and see if that clears things up or
should I replace the steering damper first? Is it possible to test the
damper without replacing it? How difficult is it to replace the damper
on a '96 Grand?

Thanks for the prompt replies!