Front End Wheel Hop

[Dominic Salemi]

Hello Group

Has any one had a slight front end wheel shake at 40 to 45 mph? I had this before I resto mod my 64 Cadillac w/ a LS-3 & 4L65E transmission . We took the body off the frame and disassembled, sand blasted and painted the frame. I replaced ALL bushings and even put in new rear trailing arms. I have Kelsey Wire wheels on the car and many say that could be the issue. I went out and bought a set of steel wheels and new radial tires to eliminate and confusion. I still have this shake. Some time it is worst than others. Shocks are 2-years old and are a basic shocks.

Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks

Dominic

[Tony and Ginny 429]

 Dominic

Wheel hop at 45-50 MPH Sb worn shocks from my own experience with our year Cadillacs 

The shocks are what keeps the tire to the pavement and prevent the  hopping from happening 

The rims and tire SB balanced on a high speed balancer if not done already 

That applies to Kelsey wire wheels  and tires as well

Wondering if the change in weight from the old engine and trans to the new addition might have something to do with the front end issue but not sure about that 

Give changing the shocks a chance as many replacement shock ( China ) can be cheep replacements that do not last long as they should 

I am about 85-90 %sure that’s your issue 

Enjoy 

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Hey Dominic 

Just realized I know who you are  from the site as  you sometimes  drop in and Love  your black convert 

Enjoy 

[JOHN V SCHILLACI]

I'll assume the wheels are balanced and properly inflated and aligned. Could be shocks. Some more probable causes, bad wheel bearing/s, out of round brake drums if you still have them if disc brakes, the rotors .but this usually only happens when braking Anything connected to the steering such as tie rod ends, idler arm and  I'm sure others will have other ideas.

[Dominic Salemi]

John

Do you think back brake drums could do this. I did put disc brakes on the front and left the back with the drums. I had this issue before I modiflied the car. How do you tell if your drums are out of balance?

[Tony and Ginny 429]

The rear brake drums would not be effecting the front end wheel shake at all — no connection to the front 

You can have the entire front end suspension checked  by a good local  mechanic to see if some parts have become  worn at this point in time and ask for an estimate to do the work 

They will advise you hoping to do the work for you but—- you will have a better idea of what you may need to  be replacing 

Wheel hop and shaking are two different symptoms —hop is shocks—- shaking could be worn front end parts which always requires an —alignment after new parts are installed 

Enjoy 

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Did you install a  —proportioning valve at the master cylinder to balance the brake pressure to the disc brakes and the rear drums when installing you front disc brake kit ?

Enjoy 

[Dominic Salemi]

Tony

I put all new parts in the front end when they disassemble the frame. As I mention this was happening before I did the over haul. Yes they put the proportioning valve along with a new MC. It happens 40 to 45 mph and not all the time. I leaning toward a better pair of shocks. I have a friend with the same issue but he does not have everything new........maybe its Buffalo?? lol

[Tony and Ginny 429]

I would consider having the entire front end checked by a shop and go from there 

Not sure if installing the disc brakes would require a new alignment myself 

Enjoy