Need help w/ vibrations on a '06 XSP w/ 20" Enkei Deep six

Badco · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 05:23 PM

I have an intermittent problem with a "shimmy" on the front end at various speeds. It's akin to having a warped rotor that causes the steering wheel to pulse when hitting your brakes. It's not a violent back and forth shake, but it's enough to make you wonder what the hell is happening.
I've noticed it at low speeds (anything from 20-45mph). It happens at completely random times, so I'm yet not convinced it's a bad balance.

The front ball joints have been replaced before anyone asks.

The truck is an '06 XSP with the g-Force T/A KDW II mounted on the 20" Deep Six rims. Tires and rims have around 19k mi on them.

I did a search but so many different issues popped up concerning a front end shake I got tired of wading thru the post.

Anyone have any insight?

milkman2 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 07:24 PM

Having the same or similar issues with my 03. I had the tire speed balanced by 3 different shops as I though it was a balancing issue. Changed my rotors out as I though it was a warp rotors based on the pulsation I felt.

After reading some of the old threads I think my Steering Rack bushing is the source of this problem. This weekend I will be installing Total Chaos Urethane Steering Rack Kit. I think for $35.00 this is worth a try.

Good luck!

Boosted27606 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:03 PM

It might very well be a tire with a broken belt. Or more likely a tire that is now out of round. This is a common issue and the lower the aspect ratio, the more acute the problem is.

To check this is quite simple but you need to find a tire shop that has a ROAD FORCE balancing machine.

Simply balancing the tires won't help. The Road Force machine will find if the WHEEL is perfectly round and where the HEAVIEST spot of the wheel is. Then it will determine if the TIRE is out of round and if so by how much. It will also suggest to turn the tire on the wheel to match the heaviest spot of the wheel with the lightest spot of the tire to minimize the addition of balancing weights.

There are many threads on TS about this procedure, in fact, one of the engineers who designed that HUNTER machine was a TS member at one time and might be still, I do not know. The man wrote a very interesting presentation about how the process works and I suggest to read it. I did learn quite a bit about tires and balancing wheels/tires combos.