Pickup troubles

[sochr000]

So, I'm decent at fixing my pickup, but have no real training, and so, was hoping someone could give me some insight before I take it to the shop and spend money that might not need to be spent.

Earlier today, while driving back from Brainerd, I lost control and went backwards into the ditch.  I was okay, so I got out, checked the tires to make sure they were okay, poked around a little bit to make sure that nothing was going to explode, etc.  I noticed on the way home that my passenger side tires were leaking, sounded like I had broken the bead (air was coming from between the rim and the tire).  So, I nursed it back to Cass Lake, hit a gas station there for air for the tires, and then drove the rest of the way home.  While driving home though is where the weird stuff started to happen.  Between about 50-60mph the car shook pretty bad, but if I got going about 70mph it stopped shaking.  I pulled over a couple more times, and the tires had stopped leaking (Cass Lake has magic tire air I guess).  So far, all I can figure, is that my alignment is off from going into the ditch sideways/backwards.  So, if anyone can give me a little more insight as to what's up it would be appreciated.

Also, any places to look, for broken stuff, or whatever would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Woody]

It's possible when you went in that some wheel weights came off-had that happen once, took forever to realize it.  Also check that there isn't snow/ice packed in and around the brakes.  Last year the Mrs. had gone through some really deep drifts and then complained of it shaking violently.  So I looked it over-couldn't see much with all the snow packed in the underside.  I put it in the garage overnight (heated), and the next morning took it for a drive.  It didn't shake at all.  As far as the tire loosing air-I'd guess the bead is broke.  Also is it possible the rim is bent anywhere?  Hard to know without looking at it.  But there's some places to check.   

[Randy Kaar]

alignment wont cause a shake normally, sounds like a
wheel imbalance or bent rim. jack up each corner and spin
the wheel while someone watches the tire

randy

[sochr000]

alright, thanks for the tips, will check that out once there's light outside again.

[Randy Kaar]

let us know if find anything.

randy

[sochr000]

Will do.

[Spinach]

Should be a wheel balance problem from what your saying.possible bent rim but not near as likely as a balance  problem.

[sochr000]

Now that's what I like to hear (assuming you're right).  I am still kind of worried about the pickup, the frame is pretty iffy, and that's mostly what worried me, but a quick check before work didn't show anything hugely wrong with it.  I might even clean the garage a little tonight and check it out before bed, who knows.

[sochr000]

Well, after taking it to L&M Fleet today they checked the tires and rims out and balanced them for me.  It turns out that the tires were out of balance by a pretty fair bit.  The other thing that could have been wrong with the pickup is this (I forgot about this until now) but when I got the air in Cass Lake, I didn't have a pressure gauge and so I just kind of eye-balled the tires.  So, yeah, the tire guy at Fleet laughed when I told him that and said that might have had something to do with it.

Oh well, I took it up to 65mph today, not for long due to the weather, but for a few miles, and no shaking.  Thanks for the pointers everyone.

[Woody]

   At least it wasn't a costly fix!