[s-cars] Shimmy -- please help diagnose

[Fred Munro]

Steven;

The shimmy problem you describe can also be caused by worn control arm
bushings or bad subframe bushings.

I hope your mechanic didn't really want $1200 to install new shocks. It's a
half-hour job and the shocks are probably $200 for the pair.

HTH

Fred Munro
'94 S4


-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Steven N. Verona
Sent: May 5, 2005 7:45 PM
To: scar list
Subject: [s-cars] Shimmy -- please help diagnose


About 2 weeks ago I detected a slight shimmy in the right front of the 95.5
S6 Avant that has gotten worse and is now at the point where I do not want
to drive the car over 60mph.  The shimmy occurs when on the highway and
going around a slight left bend.  The steering wheel does not shimmy. but it
feels like the wheel is shaking.  I jacked up the front and examined the
suspension and steering linkages and the only thing I found was on the top
shock mount there is a gap between the rubber bushing and the cone shaped
washer under the nut attached to the shock shaft.  When I jack the car up
and down the gap changes.  Could this be the problem?  I am confused because
I would expect to have the wheel vibrate over all bumps on the highway and
both left and right bends if the shock mount was the problem.  I had a local
mechanic look at it and he said the rubber mount has failed and the shocks
should be replaced as well, $1200 for Bilstein Heavy Duty.  I would hate to
do the work only to find out that was not the problem.

If this is the problem, should I:
1. Just replace the mounts?
2. Replace the mounts and the struts on the front?  If so, what would you
recommend I install?
3. Replace all four with something a little lower and stiffer? I would like
a stiffer ride and less body roll, but I don't want to lower the car much as
I drive it in the snow and on the rough potholed streets of Philadelphia.
What would you recommend?

Finally, I am looking for a mechanic in the Bryn Mawr area, any suggestions?

Thanks for the help.

Steven N. Verona
Inventor of products, services and business processes.
PO Box 407   Gladwyne, PA 19035
p 215.989.0083
f  661.458.2894
www.stevenverona.com

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