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Bob C
Lv 5
Bob C asked in Cars & TransportationCar MakesFord · 1 decade ago

Shimmy in the right front wheel?

I asked this question a couple of days ago but didn't get any good answers. I have a 2005 Ford Taurus. There is a "shimmy" in the front right wheel. It mostly happens at 60-75 mph but can happen at any speed at different times. It doesn't get worse when I apply the brakes. It is destroying my tire and brakes on the front right only. Here's what has been fixed so far-wheels have been balanced and rotated, alignment checked, new tire, new axle, new rotor, new front brake pads. Caliper is okay. Two ASE certified mechanics can't figure it out. Any suggestions? They want me to keep throwing money at it. I have already spent over $1000 and the problem hasn't gone away at all.

7 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    There are several things that could cause the problem you are having. . . . ball joint could be out, the bearing assembly could be bad, the tire could be bad, or the wheel could be bent. ASE certification doesn't guarantee a good mechanic and it doesn't sound to me that there has been any real trouble-shooting of this problem, only some parts changing. I suggest you find a mechanic that will look for and discover the trouble before changing parts. As was suggested, if you move that wheel to another location and the problem moves with it, you know it was wheel or tire. If it does not move with it, you will need to get the car in the air, as also suggested to look for the slack that should not be there. good luck but understand there is a BIG difference between a mechanic and a parts-changer - find a mechanic! I just noticed you said tires were rotated, so that should eliminate wheel and tire.

    Source(s): I have no initials before or after my name, but maintain all my own vehicles and have worked as an auto mechanic and maintenance man in a power plant and several other capacities.
  • 1 decade ago

    With the symptoms you have described, "It is destroying my tire and brakes on the front right only." the only thing that makes any sense would be a bad wheel bearing and/or a damaged hub asssembly allowing the wheel to wobble and force the rotor into the pads ruining the brakes as well as ruining the tire and causing the "shimmy" but this is something that should have been caught when doing ANY of the other repairs you have mentioned...to have done all the repairs you have listed and not find the problem does not speak well for the ability of the mechanics you have had working on it...I suggest taking it to your local Ford dealer to have the right front wheel bearing checked....explain what has been done and your symptoms and have a properly trained tech diagnose and fix your problem.

    Source(s): Over 20 years at a Ford dealership
  • Lisa
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    I have a suggestion, find a reputable shop that employs people capable of properly diagnosing the problem. Obviously, where you are taking your Taurus too is shell shocked here. The alignment is not okay even though he or she claims it to be, neither are the brakes. I'd have the alignment, inner and outer tie rods, control arm bushings etc checked. Did your so called "mechanic" give you a printout of before and after measurements for the alignment? If so what were the camber, caster and toe readings for the front and back? Need way more info.

  • 1 decade ago

    Iam said it about tire or rim elimination. Here is what the book saysImproper tire pressure (2) brake rotors / drums out of balance or out of round. (3) Inoperative ,worn,or looase shock absorbers or mounting parts,(4)Loose or worn suspension parts ( 5) Loose or worn wheel bearings (6) Incorrect steering gear adjustments Improper tire inflation (7) broken belt(s) in both tires (8) loose steering wheel. Doesn't matter on car make/ yr. All apply

    Source(s): GM emp 33 yrs. Avid backyard mech/enth with friends who are the same. Motors Manual , 44th Ed. 224 West 57 St, New York, NY. 10019
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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    thats a "ball joint" problem

    try this jack your car up so the problem wheel is off the ground and then try to wiggle the wheel put some strength into it if it moves or clunks

    its a worn out ball joint

    or while driving on a flat roat with no cambers do about 60km let go off steering wheel and apply brakes if the car pulls to the one side it is ball joints

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    this is easy

    You have a bad tire

    It happens all the time

    the "belt slips" inside the tire and makes it out of round

    put that wheel on the back to see if i`m right .

    really it happens all the time

  • 1 decade ago

    Wheel bearing?

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