I have a 64 impala that is making me nuts and hope someone on here can help me figure this out. I have a really bad shimmy/ shake in the front end when I push on the brakes, So naturally I replaced the brakes, bearings, seals, drums and it was fine for about 15 - 20 miles. Stopped nice with no shimmy / shake or pull, then it comes back and it's doing it again. low speed slow stopping and rapid stopping. At all driving speeds its fine no shake no shimmy, street driving, frwy driving. it's on air and I have even chenged hight to see if it changes. only shake when I'm stopping. Any help would be greatly appriciated. thanks
it turns good, handles well, drives straight, no pull, single finger steering effort from 0 all the way to 80 mph, no shakes, no shimmys, no wabbles. it's just when I push on the brakes, Shakes and shimmy's feels like the front end is coming off. I don't know anything about front suspension, ball joints, and front end components. Thats why I'm asking, I'm more of a body, paint, fabrication guy, never did anything but put brakes, wheel bearings, hydros and air into a front end. LOL HELP!
If the the ball joints and/or bushings were questionable before the air was installed, you have most likely accelerated their life span with its installation. If you're not comfortable with suspension work, you may want to have a shop look at it.
Agree that it is most likely a ball joint or control arm bushing, probably upper. Keep in mind that braking reverses the load against the spindle. In normal driving, the top of the spindle is pulled back by road drag. Braking forces the top of the spindle forward as the spindle mounted brakes cope with the rotation of the drum or rotor. Jack the car up and support it under the lower control arms if possible. That will keep the front end at or near ride height. Spin the front tires as fast as you can by hand, then have someone stand on the brakes while you watch/listen under the front. You might get lucky and see or hear something moving.
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