I have a side to side shake in my steering wheel. It is present at all speeds. Is this an out of balance wheel/tire,or wheel bearing? What should I check first? Thanks to all!!

chk tires 1st for busted belt and/or outta round.

Bad tire or bent wheel is the most likely cause of this problem.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I'll go new tire hunting tomorrow or Friday.I'll let you know what I found out. Thanks for the help.

Thomas, are you running the factory type steel wheels? or some aftermarket jobs?

I am running factory aluminum wheels on this 1992 Grand Caravan.(My other vehicle is a 1979 d-100 pickup with a slant six).

You really need to specify the vehicle. Everyone that posted assumed you were talking about a rear wheel drive Mopar. On a front wheel drive vehicle, a bad CV joint can cause that problem., as can a bad front bearing/hub assy (though not as likely).

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I purchased a good used tire today, for the right front and had it balanced. However, the problem still exists. It is especially noticeable when braking and slowing down to 15-20mph.Could it be the other front tire or perhaps a warped brake rotor? More opinions wanted. THANKS.

Yeah it could be either, or else check (were talking FWD minivan, right?) an inner CV joint, differential bearings in the transaxle (they can be replaced w/o pulling the whole trans) does yours have "equal length" CV shafts with a stub axle/carrier bearing/U joint setup on the pass side?? If so check the U joint/carrier bearing. Also check your motor/trans mounts; FWDs are more "picky" so to speak and complain by shimmying/shaking if CV drive angles are off. Junk it and buy a RWD B van instead (yeah, yeah I know) On a CV prob, dont even bother trying to replace just the inner joint; reman halfshafts can be had for like $60.

to eliminate the possibility of it being a tire/wheel just swap the front to back and test drive. If the shimmy goes away or changes significantly then you;ve found your culprit. If not then you need to look at brake rotors, cv joints, steering linkage, wheel bearings, and alignment. To try to fix it by guess and try can get very expensive. You'll likely be money ahead by taking it to a front end shop for proper diagnosis.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

it could also be hte diff. I replaced the diff in one of those front wheel drive mitsu/chrysler jobbies once, hte spiders had chunks missing. is it an auto?

is it clacking? if so its either the diff or a cv joint. if not, it could be a ball joint because of the load that FWD puts on the suspension.

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63 valient 4 speed over drive, holly 390, dutra duals, power steering, ac, hydraulic roof, KH 4 piston disks, kyb gas adjust all round, sway bars front and rear, 8 3/4 rear axcel and the ugliest green you ever saw

An inner CV won't usually clunk/clack as an outer will when bad and alignment WON'T cause vibration/shimmy/shake. Pull? Yeah. Tire wear?? That too. Squirrelly driving if WAYYYY out? Yeah that too.

Uneven or incorrect caster will most certainly cause front end shimmy. I've seen it many times.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Caster isnt adjustable on these, so if that was found to be, I'd start looking for bent parts. Sounds like the typical "caravan shake" that Ive seen and been driven nuts by many times...

That may well be. I had a 92 Voyager and never had a problem with the front end and I never had occasion to become acquainted with the front suspension other than that it was a fairly typical McPherson strut design.

_________________
David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.