Shimmy and Shake In Front End At High Speed

2003 FORD TAURUS
91,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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BOPPLES70
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My 03' Ford Taurus's front end shimmies and shakes at high speeds. It doesn't really pull or clunk at all, though. Plus, my brakes are fairly new and my tires are about 3/4 through their lives.
What could it be?
Jun 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Check tires, wheel alignment and suspension-could be a transaxle problem
Jun 24, 2011 at 9:12 PM
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IMOGENE
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It sounds like wheel balance may have throwen a wheel weight.(this would be the first thing to get checked) If a tyre had a bulge it would shake or bump at all speed but may only be noticed from about 30mph and would get worse as speed increased.
Jun 25, 2011 at 9:46 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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Allrighty Raz,

Got another islander moving in!lol!

bopples70, ever so slightly get each wheel barely off the ground---then spin it, if close enough to the ground, the tire will Scrape, if there is a bulge in it.

The Medic

Jun 25, 2011 at 11:00 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Good technique there Bubba, that's only for tires, what about the other concerns-get it going and keep me posted
Jun 25, 2011 at 11:11 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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bopples70,

My technique might also flush out a bent rim too!

I'm mainly and probably do my "Bestus" with "Real Jeeps", I now have 2, of a grand total of 7....Never owned anything else!

I admit,.....I have done my share of abuse; and my friends have seen Real H.ell Damage!........I'm sorta over it now that I'm older and wasted $$$ being stupid!

Things, that I have experienced with my Jeeps, might also apply to other vehicles

Such as a Big-Glass Glob of dried mud, stuck inside, the backside of your rim, will shake you senseless, for a while.......till you figure it out!

I have also noticed that I must, from time to time, RE-TIGHTEN my lug nuts on #6 Jeep (Mr. Jeep).......Now that I have aluminum rims.....Never had that problem with steel rims.

Even stupid as this sounds....If you have a wheel (especially a front) with low air pressure it could cause a shimmy.

We've been-a-talkin' so long.....What's your take on all of this?

The Medic
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Jun 26, 2011 at 12:36 AM