My son lives near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. When the temperature gets really cold, as it is now, his Pontiac Vibe develops a shimmy. He says that no one seems to be able to figure it out but he did say when he goes to the car wash and sprays hot water up into and around the front end, the shimmy goes away. Any ideas out there?
My best guess would have to do with wheel bearings or CV joints that have become contaminated and are on their way out. The connection to the cold would have to do with the dirty grease that is left being stiff and not lubricating well. As it warms up, the grease softens & lubes better.
Either way, if it is one of these things, there must be a blown bearing seal or CV boot that has resulted in a loss of grease & contamination of what remains.
That’s my WAG, anyway.