Front end shimmy

[Wil]

I've done some searching around this and other sites but couldn't come to a definite diagnosis for this problem.

 

I have a '97 Path with 150K miles. I have new Kuhmo tires in the front. They appear to be wearing evenly so far. I recently started getting a pronounced shimmy at around 60 to 70 mph. It is more noticeable when I’m going around a bend on the highway at 60-70 mph or so. I have had the wheels balanced (free lifetime balancing with the tires).

 

I notice that the rubber thing on the inside of the springs on both suspensions are all broken up and sitting at the bottom of the spring chamber. Otherwise, the suspension appears to be in good order (they were replaced around 80k miles). I jacked up the front end and shook both front wheels (as best as I could, I was working alone) and both wheels feel solid. No easy movement in any plane. However with 150k miles on the ball joints etc…who knows.

 

What should I look to replace first? Thanks.

[brerben]

I've done some searching around this and other sites but couldn't come to a definite diagnosis for this problem.

 

I have a '97 Path with 150K miles. I have new Kuhmo tires in the front. They appear to be wearing evenly so far. I recently started getting a pronounced shimmy at around 60 to 70 mph. It is more noticeable when I’m going around a bend on the highway at 60-70 mph or so. I have had the wheels balanced (free lifetime balancing with the tires).

 

I notice that the rubber thing on the inside of the springs on both suspensions are all broken up and sitting at the bottom of the spring chamber. Otherwise, the suspension appears to be in good order (they were replaced around 80k miles). I jacked up the front end and shook both front wheels (as best as I could, I was working alone) and both wheels feel solid. No easy movement in any plane. However with 150k miles on the ball joints etc…who knows.

 

What should I look to replace first? Thanks.

 

I'm no expert but I would say that with 150k miles, your control arm and/or sway bar bushings are worn out and need to be replaced. They come rubber as stock, but when you replace them, use polyurethane bushings as they are more durable and tighter. Here are two links to learn more about what I'm talking about:

 

Fitting Polyurethane Bushings: http://npora.ipbhost.com//index.php?showto...241&hl=poly

Project Pathfinder - Suspension (Cont'd): http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/december03/pathfinder/

[zonianbrat]

I posted almost the exact same problem about a month ago. Mine is a 97 that shimmies between 60 and 70. When i was home I had my tires balanced and the problem is still there so this time when i get to go home I am takin it to the shop and have them take a look and probably going to have some front end work done.

[mikeysentra]

I had this same problem and it was a varry slight bent wheel. It took 5 ballances to find it. I found a good used wheel at the wrecking yard and all is good now. it would start shimmying about 50 and go away around 73. not all is good and smooth.

 

As for bushings Mine are getting soft. Especialy since I pulled a 20 foot enclosed car hauler a few weeks ago delivering a friends car 150 mile round trip. any vehicle that has over 100,000 miles on factory rubber bushings should have them replaced. mine is a 97 pathy and has 135,000 and was doing ok tell I pulled the trailer it really sofened things up. I guess the 5000 lb tow rating is there for a reason. I think I was pulling near 6000 lbs. I would really check the bushings for wear and use a pry bar to check tie rod end wear and ball joint wear. it can be hard to tell if somthings loose with out useing a little preassuere from a prybar.

[trogdor]

I would check you tie-rods, and your rack(steering) to make sure that it is not worn out, after I lifted mine it is already worn out an 03 with 56,000 miles and I have to replace my rack O-well. good luck with the shimmy.

[zonianbrat]

I had this same problem and it was a varry slight bent wheel. It took 5 ballances to find it. I found a good used wheel at the wrecking yard and all is good now. it would start shimmying about 50 and go away around 73. not all is good and smooth.

 

As for bushings Mine are getting soft. Especialy since I pulled a 20 foot enclosed car hauler a few weeks ago delivering a friends car 150 mile round trip. any vehicle that has over 100,000 miles on factory rubber bushings should have them replaced. mine is a 97 pathy and has 135,000 and was doing ok tell I pulled the trailer it really sofened things up. I guess the 5000 lb tow rating is there for a reason. I think I was pulling near 6000 lbs. I would really check the bushings for wear and use a pry bar to check tie rod end wear and ball joint wear. it can be hard to tell if somthings loose with out useing a little preassuere from a prybar.

 

I thought that might be my problem (bent wheel) as 3 years ago I hit black ice then slid for about 100 ft before going off road sideways, then my tire blew out and the rim dug in and sent the truck over on it's side where I slid for another 20 ft or so. Yeah tons of fun. Anyway the rim that dug in was bent and replaced but this shimmy has only started in the last 2-3 months when I have been doing alot of highway driving.

[norcalpathy]

I get this shimmy too. I thought it was my tires being out of balance, but it's stayed around after I had the tires balanced, rotated. Do I need to take it to a shop, or is this easily fixed? (someone mentioned control arm and/or sway bar bushings)

 

Any more info?