4th Gear Bad Shimmy

[41powerwagon]

I took the 41 out this am and all was fine. Got on a major road and went to 4th gear. Started to shake or shimmy real bad. Person behind me said it looked like front right wheel. Because all of you have been so knowledgeable and helpful would you give me the things I should be looking for to fix.
Many Thanks-Rick

[Gordon_M]

Obvious stuff. Put the front axle up on stands and look for loose stuff: wheel nuts, joints, links.

If it all looks OK, spin the wheel by hand and look for runout. If you don't see anything swap that wheel with the spare and drive it.

Typically the 'death wobble' has several inputs, like worn joints, out of balance or out of true wheels, wrong toe-in / toe-out, even tyre pressure too high or too low. Topped up the tyre pressures since you last drove it? try lowering them a little.

How often have you taken the truck to that speed?

[41powerwagon]

First time in 4th gear. Wobble wasn’t there and then boom there it was. Drove home in 3rd no wobble. Will have it up on blocks tomorrow-thanks

[41powerwagon]

Update: two lug nuts were not tight. When the wheels were painted, for whatever reason the wheel weights were removed.
I have called around tire places and truck tire places. No one will balance the tires, I do understand this insurance and all for a split rim. If I just bubble balance them would that be good enough?

[Gordon_M]

If I just bubble balance them would that be good enough?

That would have to be your first move, see how much improvement you get.

[zepher11]

Has anyone ever used the stainless tire balancing beads? I've seen them listed, but know nothing about them. I wonder if they actually work? There are some listed on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/323772660199?s ... 1438.l2649

[41powerwagon]

Okay, probably need new drag repair kit. Biggest problem is no one will touch the split rims. Everyone from classic car shops to farm tractor repair places to semi truck repair shops.
SO…. Anyone have a diy for at least static balancing. Or does anyone know of a place in Michigan that would do it.

[Gordon_M]

Nip over to Joe's Power Wagon Forum and ask the same question, someone there would know. I get they don't want to work on the rims, but if you took a whole wheel in with just a few PSI in it I don't see why they wouldn't put it on the balancer.

Plan B, buy another rim or two.

[41powerwagon]

I’m back. Bought a bubble balancer (you can never have enough tools) I’m using new NDT’s. 7.5x 16. Original Budd wheels-1941. Flaps, tubes. 1st tire(40psi) To balance it says it says it needs 12 oz to balance. Does this sound excessive? Neighbors off road trucks say that is okay due to size, aggressiveness of tread.
Opinions please.

[Gordon_M]

For the size and type of wheel 12Oz isn't that much. I suppose the balancer only works with the wheel one way up, because of the offset? I'd be inclined to try it both ways, since you don't know if you need the weight on the inside or outside edge.

[41powerwagon]

Thanks Gordon. More weights coming today.