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Front end shake and shimmy 65 mph+

Tiny
ALNAT
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER
Shakes or Wobbles problem 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 130, 00 miles

I can feel a consistent shake and shimmy at 65 mph through the steering wheel. I can also detect it while sitting in the passenger seat. The struts, CV bearings, axles, have been replaced. The engine mount in front replaced, the rear one is current and good. The tires are not worn, and have been rotated, spin balanced. Our long time mechanic checked the transmission, it is OK. What else can it be? The shimmy does not get worse, it is not hard to steer, and it does disappear at lower speeds. The shimmy stops under 65 MPH, no brake juddering, no problem accelerating or stopping. Tires were balanced, spin balance by mechanic familiar with van. Rotating did not solve problem, no effect. Car not hard to steer, not pulling.
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Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 AT 3:01 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

There is only one thing left I can think of that would cause the problem which is the lower ball joints are worn and need to be replaced.

Here are some guides that will get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-shakes-when-accelerating-or-braking

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/lower-control-arm-bushing-replacement

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, July 5th, 2017 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
My 2002 Mercury Villager Sport does the same thing but I have replaced struts, ball joints, and inner tie rod control arm bushings basically everything on the front end and mine still does it. I also replaced the rack and pinion too.
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like you have done a lot already. I have a few questions that may be too simple. Have you had the vehicle aligned recently? Are the tires wearing evenly and not cupped? Did you check for a shifted belt in the tires? Is there anything that stops the problem? For example, if you apply the brakes, does it stop or get worse? Have you checked the tire balance? Has anyone inspected the CV joints? Have Hub bearings been inspected? Is there any humming or sounds or smells the aren't normal?

Let me know. Here are a couple of links you may find of interest until I hear back from you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-cv-joint-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

I realize I asked a lot of questions. I'm trying to narrow things down.

I will watch for your response.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, June 4th, 2021 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The tires are brand new I have replaced both CV axles just had a alignment still does it the driver side does need a wheel bearing but it's not that bad, there is no funny smells. The shaking is constant all the time from 65 to 80 no matter what I do it shakes with or without hitting the brakes. The rest of the time the van drives perfect. It's just when you get it up to 65 to 80 is when it shakes.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I'm replacing the wheel bearing today, but I'm doubting that will make a difference.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Oh, ya. The outer tie rods I have replaced too. I have literally replaced every thing on the front end except for the wheel bearings. Passenger side is fine and the drivers side has a very slight while to it when you jack up the van and grab the tire.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Could the motor mounts cause that shake?
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 7:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

If it is a motor mount, it would likely be specific to an RPM you would reach. Just for the heck of it (if the wheel bearing doesn't fix it) pay attention to the engine RPMs when you reach 65. Then drive it at the same RPM in a lower gear at the same RPM.

If I had to guess, I would say no to the motor mount, but anything is possible.

Let me know if the wheel bearing makes any difference. Also, is this something that started all at once?

Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yes, it started right after I replaced the ball joints and control arm bushings. My bushing were really bad the van used to turn by itself while you were going straight on a road. They were so bad you could grab the tires and move them left and right. Wheel bearing didn't do anything.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 10:35 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Ball joints can cause a vibration along with the control arm bushings. Have you rechecked for any excessive play? Was the vehicle aligned after these parts were replaced?

Joe
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Sunday, June 6th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yep, I was checking my ball joints yesterday again my passenger side CV axle is bad but I'm replacing it again with another new CV axle it is a lifetime warranty I bought it a month ago just did both motor mounts on bottom made a big difference in the shaking; but it still does it it's just not as violent as it was. I still need a shop to align my front, but I did one with string and too cheers and get it really close with that. I don't know where to go from here. What should I check next? I'm clues.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I just replaced the control arm bushings and I check them yesterday when I was checking the ball joints. Both ball joints and control arm bushings are perfect no play at all.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 8:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

There really isn't a lot left. Maybe the alignment could eliminate what it left. Everything is new and checks good. It's odd that the problem started after the bushings and ball joint replacement. I feel funny asking questions because I feel you have gone through everything already. LOL. The ball joints are fully seated, correct? Did you have any issues when you installed the new control arm bushings that you can remember?

Joe
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Getting a thumping sound/grinding sound in my front end while I go straight but it will go away when I turn left but as soon as I come out of the turn starts right back again.
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Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Getting a thumping sound / grinding sound in my front end while I go straight but it will go away when I turn left but as soon as I come out of the tourn starts right back again
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Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

That sounds like a wheel bearing. When you turn left, the vehicle's weight distribution shifts to the right. Thus, it removes weight from the left front wheel bearing. Does it get louder if you turn right? Also, does the sound seem to come from the left front?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
TIM JOLLY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
It's hard to say where the noise is coming from X I swear sounds like it's coming from the middle of the front but other times it sounds like it's coming from the driver's side of the noise stays the same when I turn right there's no difference and the noise gets louder the faster I go.
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Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Tim,

Chances are it is the left front wheel bearing. Safely lift the left rear wheel from the ground and see if there is any play in the wheel (left/right, up/down, in/out). Even if it feels tight, it could be bad. Hopefully, this will test will identify the issue for certain.

As far as replacing the bearing, this one will require you to fully remove the steering knuckle. Also, you will need a press and a bearing puller.

If you look at the first two pics below, they show the directions for the replacement once the knuckle is removed. The remaining pics are the directions for removing the steering knuckle. I noticed the directions for knuckle removal discuss the bearing replacement as well.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 8:16 PM

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