"Shimmy" in the front end

[mairj40]

My 2005 Aveo has developed a "shimmy" in the front end. It does it when you are driving, and not when braking. I got new tires a few months ago and they told me that the tie rods were "popping". Could that be causing the "shimmy"? I also know the front struts are in need of replacing. What else should I be looking at? I am thinking about replacing the inner tie rods as well as the outters, and the lower ball joints as well. The front rotors are new and put on a few months ago. I doubt anything with the brakes is the issue, since it doesn't "shimmy" when the brakes are engaged.

[MetroMPG]

I've definitely had a worn lower ball joint cause a shimmy at highway speeds like you describe.

Not sure if a worn tie rod end would do the same thing. Maybe. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

[xintersecty]

Could be the cause. Here is an article showing how to on the tie rods
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/f94/h...ie-rods-15658/

[petrified.rabbit]

A lot of things can cause a shimmy, if you do the control arms as the ball joint replacement (to get new control arm bushings as well) and do the tie rods, you will eliminate most of the items that cause it. Even bad struts or the strut mounts can feel like a shimmy, depending on what you feel and when you feel it. Especially in the design of our front suspension.

[mairj40]

Thanks everyone.

This may be a dumb question, but do these cars have both upper and lower ball joints? I have been searching around for parts and all I can find is lower ball joints listed anywhere.

[MetroMPG]

Not sure if a worn tie rod end would do the same thing. Maybe. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

Coincidentally... my brother told me his Nissan X-Trail CUV had a shimmy. We swapped out a worn outer tie-rod end on Friday, and that cured it.

So I've now personally seen it caused from both problems (tie rod or ball joint).

[Mattaveo5]

If you've hit a pothole recently, bent wheels are common due to 14" tires not providing much cushion.