Intermittent wheel shimmy?

[Dynamo]

Since installing OEM 20" wheels & tires I have noticed an intermittent wheel shimmy. The steering wheel will wobble left & right rapidly as if something is causing the front wheels to shimmy. I have had the front checked out (checked out ok) and had it aligned. I also installed a KYB steering stabilizer which didn't seem to make much difference. It usually happens around 60-65mph and since it is an intermittent problem I can't tell if it's actually the wheels & tires or road surface or other. I always seem to notice it most in the morning when I first get up to speed on the highway. Most of the time at speed and on the highway everything feels ok (no shimmy) and no shimmy ever at slower speeds. I am inclined to think it's just a combination of the tires being cold and that specific section of highway but every so often I will feel it elsewhere too.

Any suggestions? I realize the larger wheel & tire combo will feel different than the original 16" setup that I had before but this issue is really bugging me. The only other thing I can try is getting the wheels & tires balanced again but the tires are less than a month old and IMO Discount Tire did a great job of balancing them.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Sounds like a tire balance issue to me.

 

[swtz71]

I would recheck the lug torque and balance. Also make sure ithe wheel is fully against the hub.

 

[Dynamo]

Sounds like a tire balance issue to me.

Wouldn't a balance issue be apparent everywhere though and not just on certain roads? I will probably have them checked anyway just to make sure.

I would recheck the lug torque and balance. Also make sure ithe wheel is fully against the hub.

I will check that too.

Thanks guys.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

No, actually I'd say its just the opposite. Typically with an off balanced tire you only notice it at a small range of speeds..

 

[Dynamo]

No, actually I'd say its just the opposite. Typically with an off balanced tire you only notice it at a small range of speeds..

I meant to say that if it was a balance issue then wouldn't it be apparent on all roads at that speed range? While I only experience the shimmy in the 60-65mph range I don't feel it on all roads at that speed range.

For example, every morning when I leave my neighborhood I pull out onto the highway and in this one particular 1/2 mile stretch when I get up to speed I usually feel the shimmy then when I reach 60-65mph. Once I'm past that stretch of highway I don't feel it anymore except maybe at a few spots during my commute even though my speed stays in the 60-65mph range.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Okay - that's odd. Is the pavement different where id does that? Grooved construction or anything? could it be that you are always at that specific speed at that point? lol - i don't know - i agree it seems odd.

 

[Dynamo]

It's fairly smooth pavement, certainly nicer than most roads. About a mile past this section the road is rougher and it feels typical for a rough road but no shimmy.

When I have time on the weekend I will have to see if tire temperature makes a difference since I notice it most in the morning when I am first starting out.