2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Turning Shimmy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-30-2007, 03:20 AM
mdrohman's Avatar
mdrohman
mdrohman is offline
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Turning Shimmy

My truck sort of shimmies when I turn. It acts like its in 4wd (I don't really know that it isn't for sure besides the lever beingin 2hi and no light on the dash). The steering wheel just jerkes just like if it were locked in 4wd. It doesn't do anything weird at highway speeds and I don't think it does anything weird below 5 mph - I can't really tell. Has anyone had anything like this before? Maybe its an alignment thing? Thanks for any responses.

Matt

PS - I did lift the front left wheel off the ground and spin it and the driveshaft didn't spin so I assume that also means its not in 4wd.
 
  #2  
Old 04-30-2007, 03:28 AM
Captain Squalus's Avatar
Captain Squalus
Captain Squalus is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Turning Shimmy

ORIGINAL: mdrohman

My truck sort of shimmies when I turn. It acts like its in 4wd (I don't really know that it isn't for sure besides the lever beingin 2hi and no light on the dash). The steering wheel just jerkes just like if it were locked in 4wd. It doesn't do anything weird at highway speeds and I don't think it does anything weird below 5 mph - I can't really tell. Has anyone had anything like this before? Maybe its an alignment thing? Thanks for any responses.

Matt

PS - I did lift the front left wheel off the ground and spin it and the driveshaft didn't spin so I assume that also means its not in 4wd.
If just the left front was off the ground and the drive shaft didn't turn somthing is broke!
When you turn one of the three (LF,RF or DS) if all the gears in the diff are intact and the axles are not broke one of the other two has to turn.
 
  #3  
Old 05-01-2007, 12:55 AM
TMS Bill's Avatar
TMS Bill
TMS Bill is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Warren, NJ
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Turning Shimmy

Nope ... the inner half shaft on the passenger side is turning in the opposite direction of the driver's side. The driveshaft never moves until 4wd is engaged.
 
  #4  
Old 05-01-2007, 02:48 AM
Aubrey's Avatar
Aubrey
Aubrey is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Englewood, CO
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Turning Shimmy

What year and how many miles? Mine was doing something very similar. Bad ball joints.
 
  #5  
Old 05-01-2007, 06:30 AM
Captain Squalus's Avatar
Captain Squalus
Captain Squalus is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Turning Shimmy

ORIGINAL: TMS Bill

Nope ... the inner half shaft on the passenger side is turning in the opposite direction of the driver's side. The driveshaft never moves until 4wd is engaged.
Only on the old ones with the cad system.
 
  #6  
Old 05-01-2007, 07:44 AM
Crabman's Avatar
Crabman
Crabman is offline
Professional
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default RE: Turning Shimmy

Your frontuniversal joints are bad. I had the exact same problem. It felt like I was in four wheel drive on dry pavement. Only happened at slow speed because you would never be able to turn the wheel that sharp at high speeds. Not a tough job but plan on a couple of hours.
 
  #7  
Old 05-01-2007, 10:39 PM
TMS Bill's Avatar
TMS Bill
TMS Bill is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Warren, NJ
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Turning Shimmy

ORIGINAL: Captain Squalus

ORIGINAL: TMS Bill

Nope ... the inner half shaft on the passenger side is turning in the opposite direction of the driver's side. The driveshaft never moves until 4wd is engaged.
Only on the old ones with the cad system.
I would hope that's what he's talking about ... all the 2nd Gen 4x4's I know of use the CAD system.
 



Quick Reply: Turning Shimmy



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:48 PM.