Front end problem

[sn00zer99]

Hello,
I have just begun getting a hop type shimmy when using my '87 V3500 1ton dump. Any ideas is it aligmnet , bad tires ? Does not matter if it is loaded or not happens every once and a while .
Thanks

[rcbildr]

Sounds like it might be warped brake rotors. I have a similar problem with my 83 shortbed.

[xrcr]

I had that problem and it was Tires. Look at them and see what the wear looks like. Front end components could be loose as well. Tire wear will help tell you this as well. They wear funny for a reason.

[2tons of fun]

ther eis about 40 things that go wrong on th efront end and they all lead to shimmy/death wobble.

tres are worn, no toe control
tires are shot
dle are worn.
if its lifted at all, bad caster angle.
old king pin springs/bushing/bearings need to be replaced. put a few large washers under the cap and arm to reload the springs. wheel bearings.
wheel is bent,
steering stabilizer is shot.
leaf spring shackles are busted, bushing shot.

[BIG V]

put a few large washers under the cap and arm to reload the springs.

i agree with the above post besides this quote. i guess 2 tons of fun hasn't ever broke a spring on a dana 60 front axle before. u think your hands are full now with a little deathwobble you'll have your hands full if the spring breaks i know it happened to me. the springs are about 4-6 dollars each new from most gear suppliers. i edont know whats cheeper a few washers or new springs

[2tons of fun]

never heard of one breaking before.

mine were .25" permenantly compressed so i stacked a 1/4" worth of washers back in and was good as new.

[BIG V]

so if your valve springs are compressed 1/4 of a inch you revive there longevity by stacking a 1/4 inch of washers?

[2tons of fun]

hate to break the news to you but there is a slight cycling and usge differance between valve and kingpin springs, only a slight differance......

[b454rat]

Tho the spring/washer trick does work, I think pinion angle has alot to do with it too. But since the truck is stock, not an issue..

[BIG V]

a new spring is 4-6 bucks come awn its not that much money if your going to go thru the motions you might as well do it right. yes stacking washers does the trick for a short while the the plastic cup splits and wears out and you again get the deathwobble. bandaided not fixed.

[2tons of fun]

how do you fix a wear item?

if you spent $6 for the new spring and $6 fo the new nylon how is that not a bandaid, its still going to wear out and compress.

why spend the moeny for the spring and not do a full rebuild? if the spring and nylon ar shot so is the seals and lower bearing.

it r a fix and you got suckerd for $12.


i am still trying to figure out how you broke a spring. the load never changes unless you raise a tire off the ground, do you do a lot of jumping with 44's?

[us111]

huh? could not resit..figured i would bump

[BIG V]

forget it

[2tons of fun]

funny, i have had my washers in for 4 years, i, my neighbors, and the rest of the world arent dead yet. id say that is a pretty good "bandaid", must be cloth and water resistant too.

[2tons of fun]

ill stop here, i wont post any more in this thread.

dont want to get band hammerd.

any other questions or comments can be pmed to me directly.

[b454rat]

I've never heard of breaking a spring, even jumping it I can't see how.....