front wheel shimmy

Questions and requests about Technical Repairs of the CCKW
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Corne Lauwerijssen
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front wheel shimmy

Post by Corne Lauwerijssen »

Hi guys

Iam troubling with my front wheels since I have this truck, 5and half year
know. I started with brand new NDTs and balanced, no luck. They where good, but a small ditch in the road forced me to stop the truck. Really dangerous! After a year, I got the oppertunity to buy to wheels with NOS curvered NATO NDTs, these ran perfect, until I had a flat left front tire 6 weeks ago. I replaced the inner tire and balanced it. But know Iam back to where I was 5,5years ago, its shimmying again!

Doing this repair, i also discovered that the steeringknucklebearings were extensively worn and the shocks are dead. I also noticed that the left brakedrum is not in balance, it always stops in the same position, the right one doesnt.Wheelbearings where okey.

I already did some investigation last weeks and asked someone who is al his life in to these trucks (40years) and he said that SPLITaxle trucks are very prone fore shimmy and that mostly all front wheels need balancing. I think he is correct, because I took a look at banjo and splitaxle trucks and none of the banjos where balanced.

All input or advice is welcome!

KEEP THEM ROLLING :wink:


I keep this repair updated

Corné
194x GMC cckwx353 Cargo (cab1574, turrethole, winch, SWB)
1944 GMC cckw353 Cargo
1944 GMC cckw353 Open toolset (complete)
1945 1-tons trailer (Ben Hur type) (sold)
194x 1-tons trailer (Ben Hur type)
1945 Willys MB
1945 1/4-tons Bantam T-3
1944 PE-95G Willys Generatorset
1972 AM General M35A2 (sold)
1968 M50A2 Water tanker (sold)
Fernando Mendes
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Banjo with shimmy too.

Post by Fernando Mendes »

My banjo 2-44 is with shimmy too.Not balanced non brake drums & front wheels.I think one of the probable problem is the tire pressure under 55 pounds.Regards. :roll:
Jeep Willys MB DoD dec,16 1942 s/n:196275
Dodge B3-B 4x2 1952 s/n:90099559
CCKW 353 Banjo 1944 s/n:309623
Ledog
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Post by Ledog »

I have shimmy at 35 to 40 mph since I have replaced both front wheels. I have set the tires on the rims myself. I have not balanced the wheels. My truck has split axles.

Do you think it could be enough to get them balanced by a professional?
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1942 GMC CCKW 353 cargo closed cab with steel bed
1943 Dodge WC 63 (6x6)
1944 Jeep Willys
1943 steel Ben Hur trailer
194? 1 ton Buffalo water trailer
194? 1/4 ton Bantam trailer
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dr deuce
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Post by dr deuce »

The banjo has more damping than the splits due to the knuckle sealing.

I would suggest replacing the knuckle bearings with new. I had a banjo truck that shimmied because of a worn upper bearing. Make sure you follow the manual exactly on the shims (# etc) you use. Tire pressure as mentionedwill affect it. Sagged front springs will change the caster some.
Tierod ends are a biggie if they are worn and loose. You might also try removing the drive flanges and covering the openings with a temporary ducktape covering to keep the dirt out so that the front end is not turning at all.
Dr Deuce Over 50,000 driven miles in a CCKW
1942 CCKW closed cab shopvan
1943 CCKW closed cab cargo w/M32 MG mount
1944 CCKW open cab LeRoi Kompressor
1944 CCKW open cab F1 Aircraft fueler tanker
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Corne Lauwerijssen
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Post by Corne Lauwerijssen »

Hi Guys

Iam just back from the Warandpieceshow, everything went okey.
Only the weather could have been better, those who been there know why.... rain and mud mud mud and mud

To come back to the shimmy, I replaced everything that didnt work and
there was no difference. Still the same problem, but I discovered that the tire is out of round, egg shaped.

In Beltring I found 2 very good used road type tires, these also need balancing as they also shimmy above the 35mph. But I put my hope on them, because they feel right under the 35mph and because they should drive better than any NDT. Maybe if time permits, i will have the front wheels lined out.. to see if thats okey.

Dr Deuce, you could be right about the sagged springs, because my
truck leans to the left(empty). NO ITS NOT A JEEP!! :D
My truck is already freewheeling at frontaxle btw.

Thanks for the replies!!!

Corné
194x GMC cckwx353 Cargo (cab1574, turrethole, winch, SWB)
1944 GMC cckw353 Cargo
1944 GMC cckw353 Open toolset (complete)
1945 1-tons trailer (Ben Hur type) (sold)
194x 1-tons trailer (Ben Hur type)
1945 Willys MB
1945 1/4-tons Bantam T-3
1944 PE-95G Willys Generatorset
1972 AM General M35A2 (sold)
1968 M50A2 Water tanker (sold)
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