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steering wheel Shimmy

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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 06:24 PM
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Default steering wheel Shimmy

I recently put a 2.5" metalcloak lift with OME shocks and adjustable upper control arms on my 2013 JKU, my steering wheel shakes between 44-54 mph. After the install I took it to get an alignment and my caster was at +4.9 degrees on the left tire and +5.2 on the right tire. I had the shop rebalance the tires as a first step. Still the same shake. Put it back on the lift and checked tightness on all the components that were removed and still the same. After talking with metal cloak they suggested I try extending the arms 1 full turn to decrease the caster by about 1 degree. I have not had it realigned since to get the new angle but that did not help either. I have not tried adding positive caster and I do not believe this has anything to do with death wobble since it goes away on its own at 55mph. I am wondering if anyone might have any ideas as I would love to drive 50 without my steering wheel shaking. Also if anyone knows where to find the torque specs for the suspension it would be greatly appreciated. I was able to find a generic list of torque specs but not for everything I loosened in the front end. Thanks in advance.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 06:39 PM
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When you can reproduce the shimmy/shake at a certain speed it is usually the tires. Did you put on aftermarket wheels or spacers? If so make sure you remove the retaining clips which would definitely cause a shimmy if not removed.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by JKBud
When you can reproduce the shimmy/shake at a certain speed it is usually the tires. Did you put on aftermarket wheels or spacers? If so make sure you remove the retaining clips which would definitely cause a shimmy if not removed.
It happens at the same speed all the time and then goes away at the same speed as i start going faster. Didn't think of the retaining clips, I'll put it in the lift tomorrow to make sure the tire shop removed them. I put rock crawler wheels on and did not use spacers, they are heavy and I have heard hard to balance but I would hope the got it right 1 of the 2 times they balanced them.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by snowride20
but I would hope the got it right 1 of the 2 times they balanced them.
I go in to my local Discount Tire every 3k for the free balance/rotate. I have gone in with no vibes, had the tech tell me that the tires balanced great, and then had a vibe after leaving. Went back the next day, and was told that three of the five tires needed balancing.

These shops make mistakes like everyone else, or get busy, or just neglect to do a service right. If you think it is balance, have them do it again. Or try another shop.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by nthinuf
I go in to my local Discount Tire every 3k for the free balance/rotate. I have gone in with no vibes, had the tech tell me that the tires balanced great, and then had a vibe after leaving. Went back the next day, and was told that three of the five tires needed balancing.

These shops make mistakes like everyone else, or get busy, or just neglect to do a service right. If you think it is balance, have them do it again. Or try another shop.
I hear you, I have to go back this week for tires on the wife's jeep so maybe I'll have them balance them again if I can't figure it out by then. Think I will swap the fronts with the rears tomorrow when I get it on the lift just to see if that makes a difference.
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 02:28 PM
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Thanks for the help. JKbud was on the money with the retainer clips. Removed them and the Shimmy is gone. One wheel had none and others had 3 or 4 still on there. Glad it was easy.
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 03:59 PM
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Good to hear you got it all figured out, enjoy the jeep.
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 05:10 PM
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What retaining clips are we talking about? On the brakes?
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 05:43 PM
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On the wheel studs. They come with the stock tires and I never took them off or told the tire shop to remove them. I have honestly heard that this can cause a problem and should have known better.
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 06:36 PM
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Click image for larger version

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Nothing beats a picture, not a jeep but same idea.

Last edited by JKBud; Oct 7, 2014 at 06:38 PM.
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