The Ford Barn

dpson · 08-15-2018, 09:42 PM

I had a pretty good (bad) shimmy in the front end of the Model A that seemed to come and go depending on travel speed. My passenger said it seemed to be coming from the right front wheel, so when I got back home I jacked up that side and placed a piece of 2x8 against the tire and spun the wheel. There was over 1/4 inch of runout (wobble) in the tire. I put a different tire and rim on the front that had much less runout and took it for a test drive. It was much better, still not perfect, but no more death wobble at certain speeds. I think I'm still going to install the steering damper from Snyders. Moral of the story, try the simple things first.

Y-Blockhead · 08-16-2018, 01:01 AM

A couple of recent discussions for your reading pleasure...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...teering+damper

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...teering+damper

Patrick L. · 08-16-2018, 05:59 AM

Its just an opinion, but, a steering damper is a bandaid.

WHN · 08-16-2018, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Its just an opinion, but, a steering damper is a bandaid.

A properly prepared Model A does not need a steering damper.

If it were my car, I would go over the complete front end. Once everything is right, it will last a long time.

Tires, spring, rims, shocks, steering box, front end, wishbone. After 90 years, a little wear here and there in the front end and you have a problem that will just be concealed with the damper.

If not properly fixed, your shimmy mostlikely will be back.

gustafson · 08-16-2018, 01:21 PM

yep

Dave in MN · 08-16-2018, 01:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I work on lots of front ends and also straightened the wobble of many wheels.

1/4" wobble contributes to but is not the only cause of your bad shimmy.

I agree with those above that suggest a close inspection of the front end and repair/adjust what is needed.

I have a "Do it yourself" article on my website that explains how to remove the "wobble" from your wheels. Look for: Wheel Wobble Reduction by Spoke shrinking

Click on the link below to get to my website.
Good Day!

www.durableperformance.net

dpson · 08-16-2018, 06:04 PM

Dave,

Thanks for the information on wheel straightening!

Tiny · 08-17-2018, 10:54 AM

Take off your tie rod and drag link and examine your steering balls. My guess is that they are egg/football shaped. This was the case with my death wobble

08-15-2018, 09:42 PM	#1
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Front end shimmy solved I had a pretty good (bad) shimmy in the front end of the Model A that seemed to come and go depending on travel speed. My passenger said it seemed to be coming from the right front wheel, so when I got back home I jacked up that side and placed a piece of 2x8 against the tire and spun the wheel. There was over 1/4 inch of runout (wobble) in the tire. I put a different tire and rim on the front that had much less runout and took it for a test drive. It was much better, still not perfect, but no more death wobble at certain speeds. I think I'm still going to install the steering damper from Snyders. Moral of the story, try the simple things first.

08-16-2018, 01:01 AM	#2
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,848	Re: Front end shimmy solved A couple of recent discussions for your reading pleasure... https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...teering+damper https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...teering+damper

08-16-2018, 05:59 AM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Front end shimmy solved Its just an opinion, but, a steering damper is a bandaid.

08-16-2018, 01:21 PM	#5
gustafson BANNED Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 128	Re: Front end shimmy solved yep

08-16-2018, 01:36 PM	#6
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Front end shimmy solved Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I work on lots of front ends and also straightened the wobble of many wheels. 1/4" wobble contributes to but is not the only cause of your bad shimmy. I agree with those above that suggest a close inspection of the front end and repair/adjust what is needed. I have a "Do it yourself" article on my website that explains how to remove the "wobble" from your wheels. Look for: Wheel Wobble Reduction by Spoke shrinking Click on the link below to get to my website. Good Day! www.durableperformance.net

08-16-2018, 06:04 PM	#7
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Re: Front end shimmy solved Dave, Thanks for the information on wheel straightening!

08-17-2018, 10:54 AM	#8
Tiny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Redding Cal Posts: 1,388	Re: Front end shimmy solved Take off your tie rod and drag link and examine your steering balls. My guess is that they are egg/football shaped. This was the case with my death wobble __________________ Blackwall Panthers Nor Cal chapter