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Front end shimmies

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 4:45 pm
by featherhands
NewB
having the '97 front end shimmies between 65-70 mph. Tires balanced with wheel alignment adjusted...heard this was common but would love to know if anyone has resolved this.
thanks for the attention

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:53 pm
by Brian
Do this first.....jack up left side of car and move front wheels/tires to the rear and the rear to the front. Jack up the right side and do the same swap. Now drive....worse or better?

Have a "Road Force Balance" done. Go to this link and enter zip code to find shop near you that can do it...

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:49 pm
by featherhands
Thanks Brian

Will give it a try and leave results....

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:40 am
by featherhands
Yo Brian
Follow up on "Shimmies"....had Road force balance done and made slight improvement
mostly annoying....would changing to a 15" wheel/tire make any difference????
thanks, dude

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:56 am
by Brian
Hmm, what size wheels/tires on the car?

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:04 am
by featherhands
P185/60 R14 Stock? Toyo tire

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:03 pm
by Brian
Well, nothing wrong with original wheels and tires if they already went through road force balance.

What is your mileage on this Miata?

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:39 pm
by featherhands
27,800 mi (if you can believe it:))

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 1:11 pm
by Brian
Well, not an issue of worn bushings.

Car ever hit a curb? Perhaps something bent in front end?

How about alignment, what are the numbers?

Re: Front end shimmies

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:50 pm
by featherhands
I can see that you are taking this issue on as a personal mission......
You da Man, Brian!

* no front end action
* alignment just completed according to specs.....
* have no idea about the numbers (am sure they are out there in the universe)
* I'm staying close to home with the Binary System.......0 or 1

* I can learn to live with the MiataShimmies... that's about all of the exercise I get it anyway.

* Thanks Brian