Hey all,
:help
I was playing with my 2002 tonight doing some maintenance on her. Thermostat, hoses, that type of stuff. I also figured while I was at it, I would check a bad shimmy (more then the typical e21 type shimmy) that I get at around 40 mph and also when I hit the brakes at around town cruising speed. The wheel shakes back and forth little violently. I jacked the car up and shook the wheel with my hands from side to side and heard a little clicking and there was a little movement. I shook it from top to bottom and got play and also clicking. I also checked the ball joints and the tie rod ends, which seem good. What I came up with as well as a friend helping me, the bearings could be shot. Anyone have an opinion on this? I just wanted to double check before buying parts. It’s been a while since I have done front end work. Thanks!

If the tie rods and center link seem to be o.k. i would suspect wheel bearings. They arent that hard to do and are pretty inexpensive so i would say just do them. Make sure you pack plenty of grease in there too before you put it back together.

The front wheel bearings are adjustable. You may want to re-adjust them properly before replacment.

I think with the age, I'll just replace them. It will take me 30 mins to do it. I've done it before on other cars. Thanks

When I purchased my car the steering wheel would shake back and forth violently, so I purchased new wheels and had them balanced and the shaking stoped.