Expert: Dan Liddy - 2/3/2004

Question
hi Dan, this is andy again i wrote you a few weeks ago, this time im having trouble with shaking in the front around 55 mph. , i jacked it up shook the right front tire and it made the idler arm move , it looks like there are some bushings missing, would this cause the shake. i had my tires check for balance and they were fine.   any help would be great thanks again    
 Andy      (  its a 80  280 zx )  

Answer
Yes, of course that would cause the shaking.  I'd suggest you get in touch with Dave Malvern of Malvern Racing. try 'www.malvernracing.com' or call (434)971-9688.  If he doesn't have the replacement bushing, he can direct you to the people that do.  

Any time you have something loose in the steering linkage, it will cause shaking or shimmying at road speeds, and your idler arm bushings are most certainly at least part of the problem. you should also check that the steering rack,or steering gearbox is solidly mounted, check for looseness in the ball joints, and finally both the inner and outer tie rods.   

Finally, My first "Z" car had a shimmy that was quite a challenge.  Eventually, I  learned that the brake rotors on the front had been turned once too often, and they were warped and causing the shaking under braking.

Keep the old bucket running, they're among the most reliable and rugged cars ever built - - -anywhere !

Dan Liddy
Saraota, Florida