Shimmy @ 50mph

[Cathel17]

I just recently replaced my brake pads, and ive noticed that around 47-54 MPH my steering wheel shimmys right to left quite bad. It goes back and forth about 2 inches each way and becomes very annoying. If i slow down or speed up from 50 it goes away. Could this just be the new brakes pads needing to be worn a bit? I didnt notice this problem till after installing the brakepads

[slow6]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

not saying this is your prob, but there is a proper procedure to breaking or bedding in new pads

[97rs4life]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

yea there is a way to break pads in, also could be a wheel that needs balancing. Also check all your lugnuts to make sure they are tight. A couple loose lugnuts can cause your symptoms and also cause you to loose the wheel/tire while driving.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

Usually those shimmies at around 50mph are due to worn tires that need balancing. Whenever mine have done that, re-balancing the tires has solved the problem.

[Cathel17]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

Usually those shimmies at around 50mph are due to worn tires that need balancing. Whenever mine have done that, re-balancing the tires has solved the problem.

Theyre BRAND NEW Wheels/tires
only 200 miles on them

[Earnhardt132000]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

So you got them balanced, right?

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

Could you have knocked a wheel weight off when taking the tires off?

If definitely sounds like a tire balance issue.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

Could you have knocked a wheel weight off when taking the tires off?

If definitely sounds like a tire balance issue.

That's a good thought, be sure to check for that. If the weights are there and they didn't shimmy before, then it must be something with the brakes.

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

while they're balancing, tell the techs to shake the front end. basically they'll try to move the front wheels side to side and in/out at the top. if theres movement then you got worn suspension parts. shouldnt cost nothin and takes all of 2 minutes

[Stock98camaro]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

Same problem here. Whenever I get them balanced it goes away, but comes back... Then I do another balance and it goes away again. Any guesses as to what that is? Bent wheel?

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

could be a hard spot in the tire...

I would take it to a dealer who has a road force machine so they can inspect your steering and suspension, check the wear, balance and hard spots of your tires. could be a bad wheel too. sucks they are new.

[Cathel17]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

Well theyre under warranty. Ill check to see if all the balances are still there tommorow.

[jeffkiernan]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

I had the exact same problem. you need to have your discs re-surfaced. it is really cheap and it fixed the problem. a local place did mine for like 6 dollars each.

[slow6]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

but arent they new brakes/discs?
jeffkiernan , do you mean rotors?

edit: added: "jeffkiernan"

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Shimmy @ 50mph

is this a problem that happens when you are braking?