Shimmy at 50 MPH

yo.dave · 08-19-2007, 02:17 PM

My 87 na has a shimmey at 50 mph that is evident even when cornering. What might I be looking at to repair? Would new rack bushings be the thing? and how hard is this job. I can by a used rack for $45 and rebuild it. Is this the way to go? I am in Tualatin Oregon.

Gairloch · 08-19-2007, 06:01 PM

First things first, have you had your tire balances checked?

If the tires are in good shape the problem is unlikely to be your steering rack. Check your ball joints and tie rod ends.

To check the tie rod ends jack the car up, take the wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and give it a shake. There should be very little movement there.

To check the ball joints again jack up the car. Take the wheel at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and give it a shake. There should be even less movement possible here.

If you're getting a pretty good wiggle from either most likely that's where your problem lies.

yo.dave · 08-19-2007, 10:19 PM

Thanks mate

Mister2.2 · 08-20-2007, 12:06 AM

My MK1 used to shake around those speeds, higher speed rated tires fixed that. Another owner with the same problem suggested it to me.

tigerpee · 08-20-2007, 10:52 AM

Check your alignment as well.

bimbimr2 · 08-30-2007, 12:05 AM

alignment wont cause a vibration or a shimmy. worn out suspension parts, unbalanced tires, or even worn out or bad tires will cause it. the steering rack will be the last option.

Gairloch · 08-30-2007, 06:36 AM

No, alignment won't directly cause a shimmy. It can damage tires which WILL cause shimmy though.

Would be interesting to see what the wear pattern on his tires looks like.

bimbimr2 · 08-30-2007, 09:24 AM

usually what we see at my shop if the alignment is out bad enough for that kind a situation it like a diagonal cross hatching. almost like a bad strut.

08-19-2007, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
yo.dave No Skills Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Shimmy at 50 MPH My 87 na has a shimmey at 50 mph that is evident even when cornering. What might I be looking at to repair? Would new rack bushings be the thing? and how hard is this job. I can by a used rack for $45 and rebuild it. Is this the way to go? I am in Tualatin Oregon.

08-20-2007, 12:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mister2.2 Cheese it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,561 Thanks: 121 Thanked 115 Times in 99 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	My MK1 used to shake around those speeds, higher speed rated tires fixed that. Another owner with the same problem suggested it to me. __________________ --Josh MR2Trader.com Free to Buy and Sell your MR2 Parts!

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08-19-2007, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	First things first, have you had your tire balances checked? If the tires are in good shape the problem is unlikely to be your steering rack. Check your ball joints and tie rod ends. To check the tie rod ends jack the car up, take the wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and give it a shake. There should be very little movement there. To check the ball joints again jack up the car. Take the wheel at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and give it a shake. There should be even less movement possible here. If you're getting a pretty good wiggle from either most likely that's where your problem lies.

08-19-2007, 10:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
yo.dave No Skills Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks mate

08-20-2007, 10:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
tigerpee Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 549 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Check your alignment as well.

08-30-2007, 12:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
bimbimr2 the one bc Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: nashville, tn Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	alignment wont cause a vibration or a shimmy. worn out suspension parts, unbalanced tires, or even worn out or bad tires will cause it. the steering rack will be the last option.

08-30-2007, 06:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	No, alignment won't directly cause a shimmy. It can damage tires which WILL cause shimmy though. Would be interesting to see what the wear pattern on his tires looks like.

08-30-2007, 09:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
bimbimr2 the one bc Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: nashville, tn Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	usually what we see at my shop if the alignment is out bad enough for that kind a situation it like a diagonal cross hatching. almost like a bad strut.