Steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds

[Brett Dikeman]

On Feb 16, 2006, at 1:14 PM, Tony Urban wrote:

> Over the past month or two I've noticed a shimmy in my steering wheel
> when I hit 55 and above.  I'd think it was my alignment or a tire  
> but it
> seems to come and go (although it's there more than it isn't).  To
> better explain, I'll be going 65 and the wheel will be shuddering  
> about
> 1/8 inch side to side, I'll round a curve and the shimmy will go away.
> I round another curve and it returns.
>
> Does anyone have an idea one what could be causing this problem?

Could be a number of things, many/most of them very dangerous if  
they're precursors (ie a bolt working loose but not off completely  
etc).  I would strongly advice against driving the car until you  
figure out what it is.  Inspect the tire (inside and outside edge)  
for bubbles or tread separation.  Check all the lug nuts.  Grip the  
top of the tire and rock it back and forth (throw your weight into  
it).  You'll sometimes hear clunking if something is loose, or feel  
an unnatural wiggle...and with a buddy watching things, you might see  
movement and be able to track it down.  Jack the car up and try to  
wiggle the tire/rim (do this gently, and not with the emergency  
jack.  As always, use jack stands, etc. etc.)

Consider a flat-bed tow to a mechanic if you can't determine the  
source- I wouldn't drive it until I knew why it was happening.  If I  
had a shimmy that suddenly appeared on the track or street, that'd be  
a "pull over as soon as is safe" item.

Brett