Shimmy on '12 RT SE

[ulflyer]

Friend gets a shimmy at around 43 mph. Not at any other speed. She has 26K on the '12.
Both wheels have been rebalanced. Guy at tire shop had no other work and took a lot of time balancing. Only after we get back to my house did I realize I failed to ask him to check the "run out" (if that is the right term) so I jacked it up and had someone spin each wheel while holding a piece of wood almost against the the wheel rim. One side was true all the way around but the other, which is one that took a lot of work to get balanced, showed a slight bend at one spot. It could even be seen with the eye and I'd guess it was "off" not more than one or two eights of an inch.

Would this likely be the cause of the shimmy?

 

[Jeriatric]

The stock tires are JUNK

Have been rebalancing(dynamic) mine every 2 to 3K. Most noticeable in the 40+ MPH range. Accelerating through it is terrible but, deceleration is even worse. Lord help you if you're in a traffic situation that requires maintaing 40 or so.

Warranty be damned.....I'm done with the stock tires.

 

[R FUN]

My 2012 did the same at same speed and at times very bad. Tried everything,wheel alignment,balance,rotation etc. Finally changed the tires to car tires and problem solved, car tires are great. It appears might be the only solution,good luck.
Roger

 

[2Paw]

Me too

I have the same problem, check all the usual suspects, replaced tires was fine for awhile (1000 miles) but is back. If I keep the PSI at around 20 and balance between left and right it is not nearly as prevalent. When I replace the tires it was with the Kendas will not be the next time.

 

[happyspyder2039]

I have the same problem, check all the usual suspects, replaced tires was fine for awhile (1000 miles) but is back. If I keep the PSI at around 20 and balance between left and right it is not nearly as prevalent. When I replace the tires it was with the Kendas will not be the next time.

try ride on. I had the same issue. Replaced both front tires. Balanced still there. Bought ride on & fixed!

 

[ulflyer]

The Wheel is Bent

I wasn't very clear in the initial thread, but long story short,
the wheel has a slight bend in it. Its very slight but noticable when the wheel is jacked up and spun by hand and if you watch the edge of the rim you can see at one spot the rim if bent approx 1/8 inch. I don't know anyone with an RT with 14inch wheels that I could swap a wheel with to determine for certain that the slight bend is the cause of the shimmy at 43 mph.

Does anyone know if my 15 inch wheels will fit on a '12 RT fender? If so, I could use my wheels.

It might come down to her having to buy another wheel on the assumption that the bend is the problem and go from there. Perhaps we can find a used one but I haven't seen
any for sale here or on Ebay.

 

[Jeriatric]

Wheel

There are repair shops that can straighten the wheel. Providing it is not cracked. Check your local listings.

 

[ulflyer]

There are repair shops that can straighten the wheel. Providing it is not cracked. Check your local listings.

Shop in Winston Salem said they couldn't guarantee making it
perfect. Friend decided against it.

 

[grumpybob]

Got the same problem with my 2012 RT Limited. Did a laser align in July. Nothing but problem after problem this summer. Glad I put it up for the winter.

 

[ulflyer]

Got the same problem with my 2012 RT Limited. Did a laser align in July. Nothing but problem after problem this summer. Glad I put it up for the winter.

Jack it up and have someone roll the wheels while you watch
the edge of the rim. It may be bent a little and if so it should
be noticalble.

 

[PMK]

Not saying the rim is bent or not bent.

Our 14 when I balanced the fronts, I have one rim that runs true. The right rim has a slight wobble visually. Here's the kicker though, the rim is not bent. When they machined the mounting flange / bead flange, they are not exactly aligned with the flanges rough casting.

What I did was first get concerned and upset, but then with the wheel / tire on the balancer, I checked for true on the tire at the bead flange. This ran true so what I thought was a poor or bent wheel is not that bad.

The right tire on the other hand is crap and does have a wobble when viewing the treads centerline. I have not yet replaced or warrantied it yet. I did accomplish a dynamic balance of both fronts and all shake and shimmy is gone.

As for 15" fitting 14" fenders. I am under the impression that the 2014 RT base uses the same fenders as the earlier models with 15" wheels.

PK

 

[grumpybob]

Jack it up and have someone roll the wheels while you watch
the edge of the rim. It may be bent a little and if so it should
be noticalble.

Started a couple of weeks after the laser alignment. was thinking something came loose, or a tire is going bad. will check the rims when I check it out. Haven't hit anything with it to bend a rim. Thanks for the advice.