Classic/Antique Car Repair: shimmy, jeep grand cherokee, jeep wagoneer

Question
Hi,

I put my pre mounted winter tires on.  Now the truck shakes at very low speeds.  I back out of the drive way, take off, and before I get 1 block it starts shaking.  Just a little faster and it stops.  It only shakes when I take off, not when I slow down thru that same speed.

The people I talk to say it's the balance, but the internet said it shakes above 45 mph if it's the balance.  That is why I am asking for your help.

I have a 1966 jeep wagoneer.  I have owned it one year, and done all the work on it my self.  I have a spare 1966 jeep grand cherokee, the difference is power windows and bucket seats.

Thank you, Susan

Answer
Hello Susan,

Well it sounds like maybe one of your winter tires has a ply-seperation or the steering has a worn part. Yes most balance problems start at 40 to 50 mph. Balance would not be my first choice. A ply-seperation is caused by A.defect in the tire. B. Damage from a pothole(breaks the steel belts) C. Too much air pressure at mounting time. You can find a ply-seperation by jacking each tire off the ground and spinning it watching for the tire not run true.( wiggle in the tread or a hop "high spot"). As for the worn steering parts jack up one wheel(front) and wiggle the tire side to side holding the tire at nine and three o'clock and feel for play(checks tie-rod ends,other parts). Then at the top and bottom of the tire and wiggle(checks bearings and bushings). Also a bar or lug wrench under the tire a lift up and check for play.( checks balljoints). A Question for you? Can you feel the shake in the steering wheel? or is it in the whole jeep? If you can feel the shake in the steering wheel you can bet in a problem in the front end!(Tire, Tie-rod end,shock,bearing) To test for a bad tire rotate the tires front to back and see if the shake changes. Question? Is the jeep a 4 wheel drive? Did it have this shake with the old tires? If not you can use the old summer ones to test with! Always change two at one time (front two or back two).
Thank you for the question about your 1966 jeep! I have a 1956 wagoneer.
Hope this helps you and please get back to me on the questions I asked about your jeep.

Thank you! Thomas woolf