Steering wheel shimmy

[tpwood]

I just picked up a 96 metro LSI, with 73K mile on it, looks to be in really good shape mechanically and I do most of my own work. Haven't picked up a Haynes manual yet, bought it off of Ebay this morning. When I was driving it to work I would get a shake in the steering wheel at 65 then it would stop for a few miles then start again, would also do this at 55 but not as bad. Doesn't do this at slower speeds, it's got fair front tires and everything is tight in the front end and no strange noises that would indicate cv joints, I can't think tires or rims would cause an intermittant vibration. Any Help! would be much appreciated, Thamks, Tim

[geozukigti]

It's probably worn tie rod ends. I had an old lincoln do the same thing. Everything felt tight, till I pulled the tie rod ends off.. And they were about to fall apart. Check the ball joints too.

[Crvett69]

take it to a tire shop and have them check and balance front tires or swap the front to the back and see if shake goes away. can also take to to most places that do alignments and they will do a inspection for free of front suspension parts

[tpwood]

I am going to try the tire swap front to rear first, hopefully this will take care of it. The car is solid, if this keeps going good I will sell my 2002 Dakota 4X4, living 35 miles from work I ride my goldwing all the time and when I have to take the truck it just empties my wallet to fill it up with gas. Will let you all know what fixes this, I got a buddy at work that says chevy has had problems with the steering bushings going bad too. Thanks!

[geozukigti]

Heh, well chevy's may have problems, but suzuki's don't have steering bushings. They have inner and outer tie rod ends that hook directly up to the rack and steering knuckle. The metro is a Suzuki, not a Chevy. Also, if your tires are out of balance, and you put them on the rear... you're gonna kill the rear wheel bearings really quick.

[tpwood]

Well I just swapped front to rear tires and didn't help. Noticed the CV boots are split, since i just got the car I am going to replace my CV joints and then try the tie rods.

[tpwood]

Update: Replaced both half shafts and that resolved the shimy problems, thanks for all the inputs!!