1999 suburban shimmy?

I

ISLANDER914

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I have been chasing this shimmy for too long and could use some help. Recently have replaced all tie rods, both cv jpints, upper and lower ball joints, rotated and balanced tires, front end allignment, pads and rotors and still have what seems to be a shimmy and higher speeds (65-70 mph). At lower speeds I can hear what would sound like a wobble hum of some sort or like a tire wear sound. Sometimes at really slow speeds, like in parking lots, when turning slightly to the right I feel the steering wheel do a little dance back and forth. I tow a travel trailer with a weight distribution hitch and not a peep. I tow a 16 foot bass boat and at 65 mph you would think the front end is coming apart. Mechanic checked idler and pitman arm, said they were good. No play in wheels when it's jacked up. Can it be a bad bearing or a bent axle part of some sort? Bought it used and it currently has 170K miles on it. Any help is much appreciated. Thank You.

"IF YOUR NOT DRIVING A SUBURBAN... YOUR NOT DRIVING"
 
Are you talking the front drive shaft? There seems not to be play in them when checked by hand. The rear u-joints were just replaced. Does the front drive shaft turn when in 2WD? I am not sure what a steady bearing is. I was thinking of replacing the front bearing assemblys. I figure with 170K miles it can't hurt. I do remember my wife backed into the front driverside wheel when I first got the truck. I had the wheels cut hard to the left, she was backing out of the driveway and caught the left tire with her bumper. I had just walked out and tried to stop her from going foward so I could straighten out the wheels, but she went foward almost ripped the bumper off the Trailblazer and rocked the heck out of the Suburban. I don't think it could have bent the steering knuckle but do you think it might have affected the bearing assembly. It is only held by three bolts and the shimmy is felt and heard mostly when driving. Thanks again for your time
 
No steady bearing. It's a single drive shaft. Tire brand is Hercules, I am not sure who makes them. They are getting close. I'll put another 10k miles on them if I can and get new ones, and another alignment. People I've been talking to seem to think it might still be an alignment issue.
 
My wifes car had a shimmy that nobody could figure out, on a whim that the cheap tires on the front might be the problem I changed them. Since then she has not had an issue.
 
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Sam Chickltes
I have a 1999 Suburban with 4-WD. It has had a shimmy, vibration or something like that since I bought it new in 1999. It virbrates at about 70 miles per hour. At first I thought it was the off-tires that were causing the problem. But after three sets of tires I know it is in the vehicle itself. I went back to the dealer to get the problem resolved. But when I told him it ownly occured at 70 mph or greater, he said that his insurance would not allow them to drive over 70. No help there and I will never buy another from that dealer. So I have had the alignment checked, U joints checked, and the engine mounts checked, no help. I would love get this resolved. Trails10
 
trails10 said:
Sam Chickltes
I have a 1999 Suburban with 4-WD. It has had a shimmy, vibration or something like that since I bought it new in 1999. It virbrates at about 70 miles per hour. At first I thought it was the off-tires that were causing the problem. But after three sets of tires I know it is in the vehicle itself. I went back to the dealer to get the problem resolved. But when I told him it ownly occured at 70 mph or greater, he said that his insurance would not allow them to drive over 70. No help there and I will never buy another from that dealer. So I have had the alignment checked, U joints checked, and the engine mounts checked, no help. I would love get this resolved. Trails10
Click to expand...

Possibly something with the tranny? Or bent/out of balance drive shaft.
 
Well, I had to have the front hub assemblys replaced because they were worn and causing my ABS to activate at slow speeds. I took the boat out for a tow and it seemed to do the trick, 75mph and no shimmys. I was amazed. Thanks for all your input on the matter.
 
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