Bad Shake in the Steering

[P.L.A.N. - A.]

So, I just picked up a set of basically brand new tires that were on a 1st Gen Explorer. Got sick of the 14's on my 2wd Ranger. So now I have 235's on 15" rims which looks way better.

I got them balanced the other day, tire shop never said anything looked bad, but since I've put them on, I've had quite the shimmy in my steering.

What all should I look for to eliminate this? It's really irritating. I had the truck aligned last year and plant to lift the front 2" so I will have it aligned again soon. I was just surprised to have so much shake from a newly balanced set of tires.

 

[RangerSVT]

You might have a little slick in your gearbox, which would cause this, and the alignment shop would not detect it while aligning it...I'd get a steering stabilizer and it will solve your shimmy
SVT

 

[P.L.A.N. - A.]

not following... a little "slick" in the gearbox? what does that mean?

i guess I should point out that the turning radius on this truck has always sucked as well... like bad. It started pulling to the right a bit but never vibrated like this before.

I can try a stabilizer but I'd rather not spend the money if it's just a band-aid fix...

 

[doorgunner]

slick?????

maybe slack......

jack up both wheels using jack stands under the beam bolts about 1/8 inch off the pavement so that you can spin the tire by hand.....

watch the tire to see if it is out of round...it will rub the pavement as you spin it if there is a bad spot on the tread......

Do the same test to the other tire.......

This will let you know if either tire or RIM is bent.....it will only take a few minutes.....

Then grab one tire on the top and bottom to wiggle it & see if you can feel looseness in the wheelbearing...

Also watch the tie-rods for looseness as you try to wiggle the tire from side to side...

Do the same tests to the other tire....

 

[RangerSVT]

Thanks Doorgunner, I meant slack, not slick...and what doorgunner said, but if you just had it aligned, they should have checked for wheelbearing, bushing and tierod wear prior to doing the alignment
SVT

 

[doorgunner]

Thanks Doorgunner, I meant slack, not slick...and what doorgunner said, but if you just had it aligned, they should have checked for wheelbearing, bushing and tierod wear prior to doing the alignment
SVT

Egggggzakly!!!!

That's why I've learned to check it myself before I have it aligned....sometimes the mechanic might be having a bad day & forget to check for wear....it happened to me once

 

[4x4junkie]

Swap your old wheels back on. If the shimmy goes away, it's most certainly those tires.