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reesa
Dodge Dakota
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11/22/2004
18:25:12
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 Subject: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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Hi, I have a question about my '91 Dodge Minivan. I know :( ...it's not a Dakota but if it helps my husband drives a Dakota :) and when we had problems with it this message board really helped out.
Ok...here's my problem, a couple of days ago the front end started to shimmie. The best way I can decribe is it rocks the van side to side. It's only noticable at low speeds (with or without braking)and the steering wheel shakes back and forth (but that happens always). I thought it was because of a low tire but it filled all the tires and it still does it. The other problem I've had for awhile now is when I back up and turn the wheel, there's a loud knocking sound coming from the front end and it doesn't stop until I straighten out. Also I don't know if it's related but the shifter (automatic) gets stuck if I park on a hill and don't use the emergency brake before shifting it into park. Thanks, I really appreciate it.
Reesa
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reesa
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2004
08:37:15
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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If it helps it's a...
91 Dodge Caravan
6 Cylinder
3.0 engine
3 spd automatic
2WD (Front Wheel Drive)
Thanks Again!
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gizmodog
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2004
09:55:31
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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More than likely it is the engine mounts. Replace all 3 and get the dealer mounts. The aftermarket ones are just rubber inserts and are very difficult to replace. The factory ones are better to install. The shimmy is from the engine not being level and binding up on the half shafts. This will also cause your shifter to bind up
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reesa
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2004
10:36:39
|  RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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Is there a way I can check the motor mounts? Would I beable to see if they are bad?
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reesa
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2004
12:11:00
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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Help... :) Could the wheels be out of balance? Motor mounts from dodge are $257...ouch!
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Jack
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2004
21:54:30
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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Sounds to me like the c.v. joints on the axles are bad. Thats what I would check first.
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Dan
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2004
00:32:42
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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check your thead on your tires
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93dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2004
09:09:23
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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the loud knocking sound is the CV joints. no doubt about it. when they get worn out they do that. providing you are driving a caravan and not a fullsize(rear wheel drive). as for the steering wheel shaking you probably have a tire or two out of balance and maybe even need an alignment job.
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James Dreano
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2010
22:15:55
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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TRUST ME ON THIS ONE, I HAVE NOTHING TO SELL, AND I AM GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT NOW !
I HAVE A 95 CARAVAN W/SHIMMY. . .
I HAVE REPLACED WHEEL-BEARINGS, AXLE-SHAFTS(INCLUDING CV JOINTS), REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES, HAD THEM BALANCED, HAD FRONT-END ALIGNMENT, ROTATED TIRES, HAD TIE-RODS CHECKED AND COUNTLESS OTHER FRUITLESS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS. AFTER A 780 MILE TRIP TO FLORIDA, I DID NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THE DRIVE BACK WITH THIS PROBLEM WORSENING. A WHEEL/TIRE SHOP HERE TOOK LESS THAN AN HOUR TO DETERMINE THAT I HAD ONE ENGINE-MOUNT, AND ONE TRANSMISSION-MOUNT BROKEN !!! SINCE THIS IS A TRANSVERSE ENGINE, FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLE, THIS CAN FEEL LIKE ALL OF THE ABOVE MALFUNCTIONS, AS WELL AS BENT RIM(S), AND OTHERS. IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO HAVE THESE CHECKED, BEFORE YOU SPEND MONEY ON NEDLESS REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS !!! YOU CAN PERFORM A SIMPLE CHECK YOURSELF, BY HAVING SOMEONE SHIFT FROM DRIVE, TO REVERSE GEAR, AND BACK WITH THE HOOD OPEN, ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING-BRAKE ON !!!
IF ANY MOUNTS ARE BAD AN AGRESSIVE MOVEMENT (A LURCHING/RISING) CAN BE OBSERVED ! ! !
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Yo
Dodge Dakota
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10/06/2010
08:40:39
| RE: Shimmies and knocking in the front end?
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I hope they fixed this problem since they posted this 6 years ago.
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