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dakotaowner
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2005
17:20:17
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 Subject: Front end shimmies really bad!
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Message:
The front end of my '98 Dakota is shimmiing really bad to a point that it is uncontrollable and dangerous to drive. The dealers are saying it could be bad tires, my tires aren't THAT bad. I know that's not what it is. There is no way an alignment or tires would cause this.
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Keith
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2005
17:47:12
|  RE: Front end shimmies really bad!
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Message:
I had the same problem in my '00. Discount tire told me it wasn't that the tires were out of balance. I took it to an alignment shop and they told me it was mechanical. I ended up replacing both front ball joints and bath front upper control arms. The repair cost was $745 most of which was labor as usual. I had an extended waranty so it only hit me for the deductable. Problem solved!
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2005
18:24:13
| RE: Front end shimmies really bad!
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Message:
"The dealers are saying it could be bad tires..."
Has there been a test drive or any driveline diagnostics completed, or only a phone call asking for suggestions? Belt separation in tires, although not always highly visible, can be a source of a nagging vibration. Maybe you have slung a wheel weight. Maybe someone is playing a joke on you by adding/removing wheel weights, or even added some weight to the driveshaft. Wheel bearings, ball joints, differential wear conditions can all contribute to vibrations while driving.
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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2005
20:18:59
| RE: Front end shimmies really bad!
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Message:
Jack the truck up and put it on jackstands if you can. Grab the top and bottom of each front tires and try to wiggle the tire/wheel assembly on a horizontal axis to see if there's any play in your balljoints or control arm bushings. If there isn't any, check your tires for proper inflation and balance. Also, make sure that you don't have any loose lug nuts. Does the shimmy happen at certain speeds, while braking or accelerating? Bad alignment can cause the tires to wear abnormally, making the tires out of round or rippled that will have symptoms of tires severely out of balance. Check to make sure your tires are wearing evenly, not only side to side but around the circumference of the tire. Good luck.
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dakotaowner
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2005
14:17:37
| RE: Front end shimmies really bad!
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Message:
So, the dealership says the ball joints broke and the shocks broke. It isn't covered under my warranty, so I'm considering a trade-in. The cost to fix it is over $2,000! You guys were on the right track. I'm wondering if it's worth fixing with another mechanic. I just don't want to put anything into it when it could have more problems. I liked that truck too, this sucks! The worse part is I just bought it from a dealership 4 months ago and they are saying I'm responsible for it. It looks to me like they gave me a truck that shouldn't have passed inspection. I'm trying to get a lemon law lawyer on it.
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Dealers Bite
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2005
22:15:42
| RE: Front end shimmies really bad!
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All parts are under $ 250 total, an easy day in the garage would have you rollin again.
BTW where are you located.?
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