Name that Shimmy!
08-24-2014, 06:31 AM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: 10-02-2010
Location: Port Huron, MI
Posts: 5,933
Name that Shimmy!
I am having a persistent issue with my HHR.
I am getting front end shimmy, and cannot figure out what it could be.
As I am travelling down the road if I am travelling straight, you can feel the shimmy, BUT that is intermittent as well. I have gone entire drives to and from work (45 minutes) without feeling it, other times it is with me during the entire trip. Going around a curve, or corner, the shimmy disappears. ~There is also a sound coming from the drivers side wheel well area that sounds pseudo metal like, but mostly plastic. This may be as a result of whatever the problem is, or may be what is causing it. Unsure.
Also, the speeds between which I notice it is 60-70, above 70 it disappears, below 60 is almost non-existent.
We've jacked it up and checked everything suspension/drivetrain up front that we can to test for anything loose.
Replaced parts;
Struts, Strut mounts, front springs, wheel bearing/hub assy.
Pads are OK (AZ Ceramic with more than 3/4 life)
Rotors are OK (AZ Standard, no warping yet, and no brake chatter)
Open to all suggestions for checking this out. Being that I am working 7 days a week right now, I will check it when I can.
First person to suggest an idea that leads to finding the culprit will earn a $25 Visa Gift Card, good for use ANYWHERE that a Visa credit/debit is accepted.
~LawDog88
I am getting front end shimmy, and cannot figure out what it could be.
As I am travelling down the road if I am travelling straight, you can feel the shimmy, BUT that is intermittent as well. I have gone entire drives to and from work (45 minutes) without feeling it, other times it is with me during the entire trip. Going around a curve, or corner, the shimmy disappears. ~There is also a sound coming from the drivers side wheel well area that sounds pseudo metal like, but mostly plastic. This may be as a result of whatever the problem is, or may be what is causing it. Unsure.
Also, the speeds between which I notice it is 60-70, above 70 it disappears, below 60 is almost non-existent.
We've jacked it up and checked everything suspension/drivetrain up front that we can to test for anything loose.
Replaced parts;
Struts, Strut mounts, front springs, wheel bearing/hub assy.
Pads are OK (AZ Ceramic with more than 3/4 life)
Rotors are OK (AZ Standard, no warping yet, and no brake chatter)
Open to all suggestions for checking this out. Being that I am working 7 days a week right now, I will check it when I can.
First person to suggest an idea that leads to finding the culprit will earn a $25 Visa Gift Card, good for use ANYWHERE that a Visa credit/debit is accepted.
~LawDog88
Last edited by LawDog88; 08-24-2014 at 07:32 AM. Reason: ~
08-24-2014, 08:10 AM
#3
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,519
I had a similar issue for three years, I replaced struts, sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, LCA rear bushings, ball joints, tie rod outer ends, then inner tie rods.
All over a period of time, but that Tina Turner would shimmy at same speeds you mentioned, I have swapped to the larger SS brakes up front, I have winter and summer tires and rims, then in July I replaced the intermediate steering shaft, and the shimmy is gone so far!
Now this is my experience with my HHR but check you steering shaft! It may be the culprit
All over a period of time, but that Tina Turner would shimmy at same speeds you mentioned, I have swapped to the larger SS brakes up front, I have winter and summer tires and rims, then in July I replaced the intermediate steering shaft, and the shimmy is gone so far!
Now this is my experience with my HHR but check you steering shaft! It may be the culprit
08-24-2014, 08:25 AM
#4
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: 10-02-2010
Location: Port Huron, MI
Posts: 5,933
We did check that OldBlue. Did you happen to take any photos of it when you went 'hunting' ? We checked everything under the hood, and all the grommets, bushings, end links, struts, shocks, mounts. Everything.. We did test the wheel with/semi-quick short back and forth movements vehicle off, key forward, and could hear a slight 'dunk or tunk' sound... though we wrote that off as normal since we tried it on my dad's Buick LeSabre and heard it there too..
08-24-2014, 08:42 AM
#5
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,519
For me the shaft u joint at the steering rack end under the hood was dry of grease , it only moved 1 to 2 degrees but it was noticeably more loose than the new steering shaft.
Sorry I did not take any pictures , I get caught up in the hunt and forget to take pictures.
Sorry I did not take any pictures , I get caught up in the hunt and forget to take pictures.