Rob.

So here's the situation. I've had a steering wheel shimmy on my 1991 civic si since I've bought it in october 2009. It happens when I slightly tap the brakes at low and high speeds.

I just replaced the rotors and pads today (thinking it was warped rotors) and problem still persists.
Tires are new and have been balanced. I have hubcentric rings installed as well.

I know I have a bad driveshaft. Could that be the culprit ?
I also read that if there's rust on the front hubs, it can cause steering wheel shimmy...
Could it be worn suspension bushings ?


Any other possible causes ?

StayKrafty

Could possibly be your calipers causing the problem. Could also be a halfshaft. Is the problem on both sides or one?

Rob.

AFAIK, 1 side is the problem on the driveshaft.

bradennicely

lateral runout, you ge this when you dont torque your wheels down properly.
when you changed your rotars did it solve the problem at first?
if not you could be looking at tie rod issues

Rob.

wheels are always torqued to 80ft/lb after taking them off. I make sure of that.

It cant be bad brakes. I just put all new brembo x-drilled rotors and Hawk HP Plus pads.
Like I said I had the shimmy on the old brake setup as well.

Im thinking t's either my spindle or loose/worn front end suspension component. I'm going to my mechanic again tomorrow to do a thorough inspection, which I should have done initially. Everything on the front suspension has not been replaced in 20 years..LoL

BiG ChOr!Zo

iTrader: (1)

i replaced almost my entire front suspension and i still have the same problem as you...only thing left to change is the radius rod bushings and lca bushings...i do got really bad wheel hop everytime i hit a bump but im in for a solution

schueytenten

Add me to this problem as well, and having replaced almost everything in the front. I replaced the steering rack end bushing and no luck. That seemed to be the consensus when I was doing the work. I just give it up to the car being 22 years old and he's just getting tired.

Hopefully there is some magic fix for us.

Rob.

From what I read, 9/10 times, a steering wheel shimmy when tapping the brake pedal is a worn suspension component ! Unless your rotors are warped, but in my case they aren't.

R72

Like braden said, have you looked at your tie rods? If they have some play it could cause the shaking you're describing.

schueytenten

All tie rods new in my case.

90efhatchic

it can be bad brakes.... alot of aftermarket rotors are not perfect and require machining from the dealer... i work at a honda dealership and see it often with aftermarket rotors we have to use an on car lathe to true them up brand new

mattbatson

count me in for replaced everything on the front end, including a new rack. All new bushings, wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints...everything.
new pads and rotors too.

still have it.

Rob.

Guys I also read that if you over torque the lug nuts, your front wheel hubs can warp, which in turn can warp your rotrs... just another idea....


Update:

So we put the car on the hoist today and did a lil trial and error.
First we made sure that the front hubs were not rusty and clean. Done.
Then we rechecked all the front suspension tie rods, ball joints (replaced by previous onwer), Upper control arms, lower control arm bushings, and lower front subframe bushings, sway bar links. All seemed to be tight with no play or cracks.
Lastly, we decided that it may be the axles. So I started the car on the hoist, and got it up to 80 kph-100 kph in 5th gear and I immediately felt the shimmy in the steering wheel at that speed.
I'm replacing both axles, Hopefully this fixes the problem.

mattbatson

both of my axles r new

still have the shimmy

Rob.

Then replace your front wheel hubs cuz they may be warped.
You replaced everything else..LoL

ps: how old are your shocks though ?

big-guy 585

did u check ur alignment? u might have a caster problem

Rob.

alignment was done when I installed my momo wheel in october.

big-guy 585

but was it done right alot of shop set the toe and let it go. lol unless u did it i had the same problem on my rex but my brakes were warped. but u could be having the shopping cart effect with way to negative caster. thats my only theory i can come up with

mattbatson

just installed koni/ground control coilovers complete with their tophats.


yes, the wheel hubs are the only thing left...lol

Rob.

Good news. Just got my car back from the mechanic.
Replaced both CV Axles with new ones (not rebuilt) and the car has no more shimmy.
Took it up to 100 km/h and it drives so smooth. No shimmy during braking either.
I do however need to do an alignment cuz the car seems to push to the right ever so slightly.

90efhatchic

pushes and pulls on hondas are caused by tire wear normally... try rotating your front tires side to see if the pull chases before you deem it an alignment issue... again see it all the time at the dealership i work at

Rob.

My Nokian WRG2 tires are 2 months old. I had an alignment done in October, but the shop didnt do a good job because the steering wheels was not 100% centered.

Powhatan

Good to hear that you solved your problem. I have 1990 with exactly the same problem. I have replaced just about everything..its only coming from the passenger front. How much was the cv joint job?

Rob.

I replaced both axles with brand new ones (not rebuilt), 2 hour job total cost was around $400 USD

Powhatan

It was the rear brakes... I replaced my drums and pads and it fixed the problem. It seems that if your drums are warped it transfers to the front..and it seems like the problem is your front end... not so. If you pull up the emergency brake and you feel a vibration then replace your drums and pads and that will cure it.... YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! after $1000 in front end parts...it was only $80 in drums and shoes..