Re: front end shakes like a hula girl (archive)

I recently revived my '69 1600-2 from its non-working state with the help of a new coil and the tube in the gas tank unclogged (altogether much cheaper solutions than the new distributor I was told my car needed) now however, after taking it for a few drives I find I have a nasty shake in the front end. The shake itself seems to come and go, and it quite a bit more defined when you let your foot off the gas, or brake heavily. During acceleration it is very slight, and as said before it comes and goes. A couple of opinions given to me so far relate either to the tie rod ends or the ball joints. Any further advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
thanks; nate

Sure will be nice when the archives work again.
Anyway, I had this problem too after my 69 sat for several years. The car would pull to the right during braking and had a bad shimmy (felt like the front end but was the rear) at about 45mph. Turned out that the right front caliper was sticking due to a collapsed brake line(s). This would cause the right rear tire to push harder than the left and induce a hop. I replaced all brake lines, installed 2 rebuilt front calipers, new rotors (old ones too thin), new rear wheel cylinders, shoes and drums (too thin again). Bled brakes, took for a test drive and it worked like new. No more wheel hop and it stops on a dime. However, I don't know your car so here is what you should do to check it out to eliminate all other possibilities.

First, I assume that you have had the tires and wheels checked for roundness or bends and have had them rebalanced. Also have the alignment checked (only pay for a front end alignment, not all 4). If this wasn't done, go do it.

Now drive down the road and have someone follow you and look to see if either or both of the rear wheels are hopping. If there is, then you probably have a situation similar to mine.

Next you need to check the front end for looseness.

Jack the front end up enough where you can get under it. Place jack stands securely under the car (under the front radius arm bushings or chassis rails) MAKE SURE IT IS SECURE! Crawl underneath and do a visual inspection of all the suspension rubber bushings and tie rod seals. If you notice any bushings missing chunks of rubber or swollen from oil, or tie rod seals torn, they will need to be replaced.

Lay on your back and grab hold of the front wheels on either the back or front side, try to push and pull them both at the same time and notice what the suspension is doing. If you see anything loose, that needs to be replaced. Also grab hold of the center link, outer tie rod ends and try to move them and check for looseness. Check front wheel bearings for looseness. Pull tires and look at rotors/pads, do they look discolored as in overheating? If so, could be sign of frozen calipers or collapsed brake hoses. It might be that they have a build up of rust on them causing them to drag. You can also pull the rotors and have them checked for runout at a shop that turns rotors. Excessive runout will cause shimmy during braking.

Move steering wheel slightly back and forth to check slop in steering box, tighten if loose. Get a pair of channel locks and try to compress each tie rod joint. If the joint has any looseness it will need to be replaced. Place a long 2x4 or other pry bar under each front tire, lower the car to about 2" above, place on jackstands, then pull up on the bar and check the front ball joints for looseness. Any looseness, replace ball joints.

Hope something in this book helps (sorry it was so long)

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