# Shimmy **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** tacoma, toyota\ **Created:** [December 8, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584 "2013-12-08T18:15:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rodznokkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@rodznokkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rodznokkin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/1 "2013-12-08T18:15:57Z")
My 1987 Toyota motorhome has an inconsistent shimmy which starts between 47 and 55 mph. This is a one ton chassis. I replaced the front tires and had them balanced. An independent mechanic said that everything was tight and could not find the problem. I took it to Toyota and they also said everything was tight. They checked steering, suspension, wheel bearings, brakes, and U joints. When the shimmy starts, accelerating or decelerating does not stop the shimmy. At one time I took it rapidly from 55mph down to a full stop. As I slowed the shimmy and thumping got more intense all the way down to a dead stop. The shimmy will start on smooth, even pavement and hitting bumps does NOT seem to start the shimmy. The RV has 75000 miles on it. ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/2 "2013-12-08T20:36:17Z")
You replaced the front tires, but not the back. Try rotating the tires and see if the shimmy changes. It could be a tire separating internally, bent rim, or warped rotor. Debris behind the rotor and incorrectly torqued lugs could do it to. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/3 "2013-12-09T00:35:16Z")
Maybe the rear axle IS the problem. See the attached article. The rear axles were overloaded on early trucks and were only fixed “after 1987” per the article. > **[The Deadly Secret That Lurks in the Early Toyota Motor Homes](http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Deadly-Secret-That-Lurks-in-the-Early-Toyota-Motor-Homes&id=4065393)** > > Even though the Toyota motor home had a loyal and dedicated following, there was a deadly secret built into the early models. This article will expose that secret and inform you how to avoid the consequences. The vibration may be a hint your rear axle is about to fail. You might want to check it out in any case. ---
**Author:** ![rodznokkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@rodznokkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rodznokkin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/4 "2013-12-09T03:23:49Z")
Mustangman; You are quite accurate about the Toyota history just as I am aware. That’s why I bought this Toyota MH which has the upgraded one ton axle, i.e., six lug. I am quite confident that the problem is not with the axle or rear wheel bearings. That’s why I mentioned that it was on a one ton chassis. I feel like my problem is coming from the front; steering/axle/suspension/brakes. ---
**Author:** ![rodznokkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@rodznokkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rodznokkin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/5 "2013-12-09T03:39:47Z")
knfenimore, I really don’t think it’s a ply separation since the problem was on both the old and the new tires. The new tires are Yokohamas, made in Japan too. I might more likely expect a ply separation on new tires made in China or some off brand cheapies. Bent wheel might be a possibility but the tire installer said that the wheel was good. Warped rotor or debris sounds like a good possibility. When making my hard stop from 55mph, the thumping/shimmy increased along with louder thumping in the brake pedal. I could actually feel the thumping in the brake pedal. HOWEVER, when otherwise stopping (without the shimmy) the braking action is very smooth. If it was a warped rotor, wouldn’t it pulse every time when braking? Maybe you can see why I am so stumped on this one. Any new ideas with this additional info? Can lug torque be that critical? ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/6 "2013-12-09T03:45:25Z")
Lay down in front of the vehicle and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth about an 1/8th to 1/4th turn each way. Look at every joint and component for a looseness. If something needs attention, you will see it. If these have struts in front, I don’t think they do but if they do, I would also look at the upper strut mount, but unfortunately you have to remove it to see if it is cracked. ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shimmy/82584/7 "2013-12-09T16:32:28Z")
This may be related to the dreaded Jeep death wobble - which seems to occur due to worn components and frequently those components are missed in inspection. I vote for having someone else look at the front end parts - keeping in mind that what might be considered normal wear for some vehicles, might be excessive for this one.