Re: Looking for Vehicle Advice

[Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 7:02:46 AM UTC-5, JoeRaisin wrote:
> My work van does something odd.
>
> 80% of the time, the van rolls straight and smooth but every now and
> then it feels like the front tires are wobbling.  This is to varying
> degrees - sometimes it feels like a little shimmy and sometimes it feels
> like they are about to fall off.  This happens randomly on all manner of
> road conditions but seems to be limited to higher speeds (40+) and more
> often than not during acceleration.
>
> The shop did an alignment and the tires have been balanced.  They have
> looked at the front end and said there is nothing wrong - last time I
> was told it was the tires picking up snow and ice but it happens in all
> four seasons.
>
> It happens on straightaways and on curves of either direction.  Slowing
> down will stop it but it will also stop of its own accord after a few
> seconds.  I don't think it has ever lasted more than 15-20 seconds - the
> shimmy version if it, at any rate.  The more pronounce version ends
> quickly because I will take my foot off the gas and reducing speed will
> usually end it.
>
> Any ideas?

Can you get someone to ride along side of you to watch while this is happening?

If the tires are "bouncing" up and down then it's the shocks.
If the tires are "wobbling" back and forth then it's tie rods, and/or ball joints, or (depending upon the age of the truck) King pins.
Remotely possible is the rack and pinion steering,  but not likely.

Whatever it is, get it fixed quickly. Every time it does it, ... it's taking a tremendous toll on the rest of the steering mechanism. Until you get it fixed, when it starts to vibrate ..... slow it down .... you could lose the whole front end.

And uhhhh, if the people who did the alignment couldn't find it .... I'd suggest you try somewhere else. I mean ComeON .... it's a trouble shooting problem ..... What do they think?   You're just making up the whole thing?
Sounds like they'd sooner do alignments than get into anything more difficult. And that means .... you don't want them to do the job to begin with.