Shimmy and Shake In Front End At High Speed

BOPPLES70

MEMBER
2003 FORD TAURUS
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
91,000 MILES

My 03' Ford Taurus's front end shimmies and shakes at high speeds. It doesn't really pull or clunk at all, though. Plus, my brakes are fairly new and my tires are about 3/4 through their lives.
What could it be?

Friday, June 24th, 2011 AT 8:58 PM

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check tires, wheel alignment and suspension-could be a transaxle problem

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, June 24th, 2011 AT 9:12 PM

IMOGENE

MEMBER
7 POSTS

It sounds like wheel balance may have throwen a wheel weight.(This would be the first thing to get checked) If a tyre had a bulge it would shake or bump at all speed but may only be noticed from about 30mph and would get worse as speed increased.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

-1

Saturday, June 25th, 2011 AT 9:46 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Allrighty Raz,

Got another islander moving in!Lol!

Bopples70, ever so slightly get each wheel barely off the ground---then spin it, if close enough to the ground, the tire will Scrape, if there is a bulge in it.

The Medic

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, June 25th, 2011 AT 11:00 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Good technique there Bubba, that's only for tires, what about the other concerns-get it going and keep me posted

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, June 25th, 2011 AT 11:11 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Bopples70,

My technique might also flush out a bent rim too!

I'm mainly and probably do my "Bestus" with "Real Jeeps", I now have 2, of a grand total of 7. Never owned anything else!

I admit.I have done my share of abuse; and my friends have seen Real H. Ell Damage.I'm sorta over it now that I'm older and wasted $$$ being stupid!

Things, that I have experienced with my Jeeps, might also apply to other vehicles

Such as a Big-Glass Glob of dried mud, stuck inside, the backside of your rim, will shake you senseless, for a while. Till you figure it out!

I have also noticed that I must, from time to time, RE-TIGHTEN my lug nuts on #6 Jeep (Mr. Jeep). Now that I have aluminum rims. Never had that problem with steel rims.

Even stupid as this sounds. If you have a wheel (especially a front) with low air pressure it could cause a shimmy.

We've been-a-talkin' so long. What's your take on all of this?

The Medic

Images (Click to make bigger)