55 mph shimmy

[dragonbar]

just got a 00 4.4. before i picked it up a few things were fixed on the truck, namely the front ball joints. however, i still have a shimmy between 50mph and 60mph. i'm thinking thrust arm bushing. at least that was the culprit on the 540. opinions, suggestions?

[primetime]

You mean it shimmies when you brake at 50 or 60mph speeds? or cruising at those speeds?

[dragonbar]

mainly when cruising. before we bought the car we test drove it and it shimmied while driving and while braking. i told him to fix the thrust arm bushing. they replaced the ball joints. now it shimmies when cruising but not really during braking.

[ZsX5o3]

I have the same problem on a 540 but I also need new rear tires, I am hoping this will fix it since thrust arm bushings & ball joints look ok.

[edco]

Originally Posted by dragonbar

mainly when cruising. before we bought the car we test drove it and it shimmied while driving and while braking. i told him to fix the thrust arm bushing. they replaced the ball joints. now it shimmies when cruising but not really during braking.

Try swapping your front and rear tires one at a time, just as an experiment. Go for a ride on a highway where you have experienced the shimmy.

If it changes, then you may have a weight/balance problem.

If not, then it's probably bushings.

If you jack up the vehicle and try shaking the wheel, that oughta tell you how tight the ball joints, center link and idler arm are.

HTH..

Ed

[dragonbar]

can't swap the tires, staggered setup. 20" rims 275 front/285 rear.
i'll check the ball joints and see what i can find.

[X5Dawg]

Mine is in the shop right now for this issue - I was getting a slight shimmy while driving, however mine is mainly when braking at highway speeds. Shop stated it was these bushings that you speak of.

Shop is going to put front wheels on a high speed balancer too.

[mrbmwx5]

read this one.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...eed-helps.html

[flyingmachine]

Originally Posted by dragonbar

mainly when cruising. before we bought the car we test drove it and it shimmied while driving and while braking. i told him to fix the thrust arm bushing. they replaced the ball joints. now it shimmies when cruising but not really during braking.

I would say tie rod end ball joint or wishbone ball joint is gone. lift up the car and shake your front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock position. Also 6 and 12 o'clock position. See if there is any play.

do you get the shimmy when driving thru pothole or uneven surface on one of the front wheels?

If no plays there, try to get the front wheels balanced.