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NDTracer
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
09:25:17
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 Subject: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Recently I have been getting a shake/shimmer when I drive. I notice it appears worse when I drive slow. It feels like the tires are fighting each other and cause a rocking of the truck. I am assuming they are out of alignment and that is causing that. Nothing was hit or anything so I wouldn't think it would just go out of alignment. Has anyone else had this issue? Is there maybe some sort of spacer that has come out and now the front is loose and bucking itself? Is this a possible DIY or will I have to take it in for an alignment or review?
Thanks
Clint
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bman42
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
12:31:42
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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check the edges of the tires to see if they are "cupped" or wearing funny. That would indicate alignment problems (more than likely)
If it seems to vibrate most at a certain MPH, could possibly be a balancing problem...
but wouldn't rule out the alignment issue though.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
13:30:29
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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i have experienced the slow speed shake before and found the belt shifting on a tire.
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NDTracer
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
15:49:38
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Well the shake at specific speeds could be a balance thing but that would be more of a fast speed not slow. At a faster speed it is more of an unbalanced feel. Plus when I drive on icy roads the slow speed shake appears much less. Would that be the same if it is a belt shifting? I never thought of that but the tires are possibly the originals (88k) as they are the basic Goodyear Wrangler that I havn't seen anywhere for years (except recently now at Wal-mart).
I can't see any cupping yet but this just kinda started. I thought it may have been some mud or ice that caused it at first but have since washed and looked for that and paid closer attention and it is more of a side to side than up/down. Would a camber adjustment do it too or just alignment?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
16:17:59
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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usually with the belt shift you could look at the tire tread and rotate the tire and watch the tread alignment. if the belts shifting the tread will follow.
it could be they are out of balance or, if it's been parked for a while, out of round.
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NDTracer
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
17:52:43
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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I would think the out of balance would be more of a vertical shake and increase with speed. The icy road would not have any bearing with that from my past experience too. Now the out of round shouldn't be the case either as it hasn't been parked for more than a week. The only thing there would be if water got in the tire and then froze during one of the parking times but I would think that would have gone away at one point as we have had some warm weather.
I will have to look at the tread and see but that isn't that common to break is it?
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jerry
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
20:42:50
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Is this a 4 X 4 Dak? Sounds like the way a truck drives when having 4WD engaged on dry pavement.
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NDTracer
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2006
09:20:09
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Jerry your right that is very similar. More like if the 4x4 is locked in and turning a corner. It is 4x4 but is not engaged and back tires spin on the ice verifying that.
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csmith
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2006
19:48:41
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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I Have a 96' dakota sport. Just had the same problem, Mechanic tryed rebalancing tires but couldn't get them balanced, he thought some of the belts in the tire were broke, I had him put on new tires, he had to replace the bottom ball joints also, then I had it realined and all is good now. I also went from 16 mpg to 20 mpg with this work to the truck. Hope this helps
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NDTracer
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2006
11:49:35
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Well I looked it over yesterday and it appears that a belt is bad on the front pass. tire. I put on the spare and it seems to have gone away. I also took it to a shop who saw it and lifted it up. He thought the ball joints and wheel bearings are going bad and that is what caused it. I don't know if I really want to spend 1200+ for redoing the joints and bearings. What are your thoughts, would the tire just go bad? I believe they are original which would mean they have about 89k on them so I knew they needed to be replaced but do you think the ball joints too? I don't have any clunking when on rough roads which is more the case with bad joints right?
Thanks.
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Terry
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2006
01:21:27
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Get a second opinion on the ball joints. It seems to be a favorite of many shops to quote bad joints as a matter of course. They may actually have to be done, but it's certainly worth another opinion.
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NDTracer
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2006
09:24:27
| RE: Shake, Alignment? 96 Dak
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Terry I was planning on that but thanks great advice. I am actually planning on running on the spare for a month or so to see if anything happens.
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