Shimmy, lurch, squeak on L400

[stonefly]

Hi there
My '94 L400 has had a good history (2+ yrs).
It has had small issues of not shifting - holding at higher rpms then doing its thing, but good for the most part. At cold start up it holds at about 60kmh for a bit before shifting. At present the tranny fluid - good level and maybe a little off color (some brown). (What type of fluid?)
Lately I've had issue where it causes the vehicle to shake a bit between 20 - 70kmh. When I take the OD off, it dampens the effect but it is still noticeable. At 80kmh+ I can feel some vibration and it sort of sounds like the vibration and subtle lurching chugga-chugga-chugga you feel near a train. It is getting a little louder and while not a huge deal I can certainly hear the change in the vibration. At low speed idle, if I simply let the vehicle go I can feel the vehicle do a go-pause-go-pause kind of subtle lurching. At the same time I can hear a squeak in the back end that coincides with the lurch rythm.
Should add that the rpms are consistent - they don't bounce around at all. Acceleration rpms is as has always been - fuel lines seem to be smooth.
I've read through the forums - wondered about something in the brakes seized? Maybe TPS? Tranny?
Anyone have any thoughts?!
This will be the first trip to the shop with me. Hopefully I can find someone good in Red Deer, Ab to work on her. It would be nice to go in with an idea of what we're possibly looking at. :)

[thelazygreenfox]

Stonefly (fisherman? I guess)
Take it to a brake shop for a free estimate. Tell them you'll come back in a week if you don't want the work done by them.

My first guess is warped front rotors, but a shop can tell you quickly. You can do all the work if you're handy with tools.

Good luck
TLGF

[jessef]

does it sound like this accompanied by lurching? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um-CF2NNfVM

also tires that are not properly balanced or out of round can cause shimmying at various speeds

[stonefly]

I took it in yesterday afternoon. There is a wee wearing on the inner front tire - possibly a bearing issue with possible lump in the tire. Ah, but in 2 quick test drives did the e-brake test of the rear brakes. They wanted to have a look at the brakes today (I'm checking her in now) as well but nothing really stood out on the test drives. But when I got home the rear pass side brakes were smoking from the use of the e-brake. So, likely the rear brakes were seizing and the heat has warped something to egg shape giving a bizare lurch feel. Was wierd that there is no grinding, etc felt in the braking to lead to this, but sometimes these things go that way. Ah well, a little more $ as I'm sure there's a few melted parts in there. And the tires are Yok AT/S so I might have to replace one of them too if the tire is no good. Funny how these things go.
Thanks for your time.
PS - no sound like that vid! Thankfully. :)