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Hey All;

Really glad to see there is a forum for the EnFo on the web. My wife and I are the owners of a 1960 Anglia Escort (station wagon) that we have had for about 8 years. We pull it behind our motorhome when we travel. It is all stock, and is in need of restoration, but it runs great and it works for us. It has a real bad shimmy in the front end when it get close to 45mph, so hopefully I can find some parts or experience here that will help me find the problem and fix it. Looking forward to contributing what little knowledge I have. I have had a love affair with these things since the late 60's. All have been 100E's (except my step father had a 105 in 1967 (one of the cars I learned to drive in). Us kids (4 of us) would say we were going to church on sunday, then just ride around for an hour or so. We had a blast.

Motorhome and Escort:



Escort in the back yard:



My Brother and I (on the left) by the Escort:



GaryB in Wa

(originally posted August 3, 2007)

Welcome to the forum.

Wow the motorhome makes the Anglia look even smaller than it is!

I was having the same shimmy problem in my 105E. It turned out one of my wheel bearings was loose. The way I checked was to jack up the front of the car so the wheels were off the ground. Then grabbed the wheel both top and bottom and wiggled it to see if there was any play.

To fix it, I just popped off the center cap, pulled the cotter pin, and tightened the castle nut (while spinning the tire) till it started to drag. then backed off the nut, till I could get the cotter pin (actually a new cotter pin) back in.

Of course part of the problem might have been the 45+ year old tires still on the car.

Anyhow, with a new set of balances tires, and the tightened wheel bearings there is now no problem driving at least 55.

Hope this helps, James

(originally posted August 5, 2007)

The wheel wobble you describe is common on this model at around 45 mph if there is a problem on the front end. Basically it is down to one or both front wheels being out of balance, but exagerated by a fault in the steering or suspension. Faults include:

deformed tyre; buckled wheel; loose wheel bearings (as described - there should be the merest hint of free play in the wheel bearing after adjustment); worn track control arm ball joints (at the bottom of the strut; this is the usual primary cause); play in any of the steering joints; play in the steering box; ineffective dampers.

Well, there are a few checks for you to do! Best of luck; keep us posted.