front end shakes

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I've been having front end problems with my truck. Out of no where it starts to shimmy and when I apply the brakes the shimmy is amplified. The more I apply the brakes the worse it gets. It does not always happen. I can be going down the road just fine pull over to get a coffee or fuel take off again and it will start. I've rotated the tires had all ball joints replaced the track bar one of the torsion bars and thetie rod ends. also had an alignemnt done. Truck is a '96 4x4 w/5spd.

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1996 RAM2500 4x4 5. 9 Cummins w/5sp 3. 54 rearend. 8ft Diamond plow. Scotty type k&n filter. New truck bed(crunched my other one) Hope to add 4" exhaust soon. Silencer ring reinstalled Cat fell off and ran into the woods. Can still here the turbo just fine. Truck now sounds better and runs better! New linex spray on bedliner!

 

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smitty-you could have warped a brake rotor. i know my truck is doing the same thing right now. my pads were thin and the stock rotors cant be turned anymore, so i threw a set of pads on to get me by untill i decide what to buy (i want to get drilled rotors)

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99' 2500 2wd SLT Auto LWB Quadcab "BANKS STINGER PLUS" (TURBO BACK 4"-STAINLESS EXHAUST, QUICK TURBO HOUSING, OTTOMIND COMPUTER,K&N FILTER, PYRO-BOOST & TRANS-TEMP GUAGES), 275hp RV INJECTORS,PROTORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSGO SHIFTKIT, AIRLIFT "SUPER DUTY", CENTURY "ELITE" CAP (LIMO BLACK ON WINDOWS),BEDRUG, SHELF-IT,PIONEER "PREMIER" CD W\CD CONTOLLER,YAMAHA PASSIVE EQ, ALPINE 200 WATT 4-CHANNEL AMP, POLK SPEAKERS, PUNCH 45 "STRAPPED MONO" (90WATTS) ON 12" BAZOOKA TUBE

 

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Smitty,

Check your steering damper (the shock cross ways on the tie rod). If it is shot it can cause the symptoms you are having.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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I would install a good steering stabilizer as well. I don't think that is what is starting your shimmy, but I think that might be amplifing the problem. Do you have oversized tires on your truck?

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98 Properly Valved 4x4 SWB QC ISB A/T Metallic Red w/ tan cloth interior, DC nerf bars, DC two piece mud-flaps, 275 h. p. injectors, Monroe Gas Magnums, Armor Tuff spray in bed liner, Goodyear Wrangler ATS 285/75r/16, BD Heavy Duty Valve body. Walker 21468 thru flow muffler,Cobra 29 NWST CB. American Racing Wheels. Power Edge EZ control module.

 

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After reading an earlier post on rear brakes being out of adjustment it seems that the trucks suffering this problem are only being stopped by the front brakes. One post stated that alot of miles were driven and the rear brakes where never used. (out of adjustment) I would think that this would cause overheating and pre-mature wear on the front rotors. (warping) I just did my brakes and found the same to be true. Rear brake shoes in perfect condition. Front pads needed to be replaced and the rotors turned. No more shake or shimmy. Hope this helps.

 

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looks like it is the brakes. will probably replaced the caliper and the rotor. what advantage is there between the solid rotor and the drilled rotors??? as for tires they are 245 75r 16. I do plan to replace the tires since they are getting worn.

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1996 RAM2500 4x4 5. 9 Cummins w/5sp 3. 54 rearend. 8ft Diamond plow. Scotty type k&n filter. New truck bed(crunched my other one) Hope to add 4" exhaust soon. Silencer ring reinstalled Cat fell off and ran into the woods. Can still here the turbo just fine. Truck now sounds better and runs better! New linex spray on bedliner!

 

[Archive]

My 94' has had shimmy trouble from day one. The fix was with the slotted rotors. From what I understand, the drilled rotors may get heat fractures on heavy vehicles. Issue 29, Egr is where I got mine. Power stop on the net has them cheaper, but I paid for the advise and previous Ram experience.