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Is slight steering wheel vibration normal with AT tires?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Loco x Toyota, Jul 7, 2022.

  1. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:20 PM
    #61
    Altitude4x4

    Altitude4x4 New Member

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    Brutal man, need an engineer consult asap.
     
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  2. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:31 PM
    #62
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Not blaming aero directly, but more like aerodynamic forces reveal that the 4runnner’s “”legacy” body on frame design is not quite the same as a unibody. Because more components and structures are moving in relation to each other, there might be more places for harmonic weirdness to develop. With the variances between vehicles, it might be part of why it might affect some more than others.

    I think this is all spitballing though…
     
  3. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:36 PM
    #63
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Honestly, with all the problems some have had, you wonder if lemon law is applicable. I seriously dont understand how a dealer can possibly say it’s normal to have a shimmy.
     
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  4. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:40 PM
    #64
    Loco x Toyota

    Loco x Toyota [OP] New Member

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    In theory, 20" wheels are easier to balance than 17" because the weights are closer to the outer edge of the tire,

    unfortunately I sold mine and I'm tempted to get these 20" https://venomrex.com/collections/venomrex-6-lug-wheels/products/vr-602-desert-bronze

    and put on highway tires just to get rid of the shimmy
     
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  5. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:45 PM
    #65
    BionicRandy

    BionicRandy New Member

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    Agree 100%. I have never considered looking into anything else, just take it back until they get it right. They eventually always do!
     
  6. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:47 PM
    #66
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Have you tried different wheels and/or tires?

    Edit: I saw that you had mentioned having no shimmy with the stock wheels and tires, but having it with two different sets of tires on a set of aftermarket wheels.

    What a pain in the ass.

    So, it could be a defect in a hub bearing or something like that, as I mentioned. Or, some play in a part of the suspension that exacerbates even the slightest off balance tires.


    Yes, we all agree here. I just don't agree with some of the theories about the reason for it.

    I get irritated just hearing about it. I'd be so pissed off if I had this problem.

    Wasn't there mention in one of the other 900 threads about this where new lower control arms had cured it?



    Who knows...

    Maybe people who can't get a fix should start a class action lawsuit. I personally find it unacceptable that anyone should have to just live with a wobble in a $40K+ vehicle.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2022
  7. Jul 10, 2022 at 7:59 PM
    #67
    BionicRandy

    BionicRandy New Member

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    Is there another commonality? i.e. All have TRD wheels? Is it only Pros and Limiteds? Diff drops? If aerodynamics was gonna do it my ‘12 with 3” on rake should be getting it bad.
    Back in 08 when I put a 3/2 Toytec Ultimate lift and 285 ATs on my 07 there was lots of fuss over diff drops causing shimmies and vibrations so I omitted the diff drop and never had an issue.
     
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  8. Jul 11, 2022 at 6:35 AM
    #68
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    I feel the same way. If some can make it go away by putting a different set of tires or wheels on, or by getting them balanced again as in my case, then what does that say?
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
  9. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:32 AM
    #69
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    There must be something that exacerbates the slightest vibration. But, it seems like it can usually be fixed with perfectly balanced tires. Unfortunately, it seems that some wheel and tire combos can't be balanced perfectly.

    I am annoyed for the folks who can't seem to get it fixed. It would be nice if there was an obvious cause that could be addressed, rather than just speculation.
     
  10. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:46 AM
    #70
    Yoytota

    Yoytota New Member

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    One of the main reasons I'm trying to trade in for a Tacoma right now
     
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  11. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:59 AM
    #71
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    I can feel it in the armrest.
     
  12. Jul 11, 2022 at 8:12 AM
    #72
    Yoytota

    Yoytota New Member

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    It vibrates the whole front end on mine you can fill it up through the front seats
     
  13. Jul 11, 2022 at 8:53 AM
    #73
    Sandman317

    Sandman317 New Member

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    I have ran Wildpeaks since 2019 with my Tacoma and now my 4Runner. No balancing issues and very smooth for an AT tire, zero shaking.

    I have read horror stories on all the popular tires, I think all the manufactures have some bad batches that go out here and there.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
    SlvrSlug and Thatbassguy like this.
  14. Jul 11, 2022 at 9:40 AM
    #74
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Yup. I've heard of issues with KO2's and mine were perfect. A friend had Wildpeaks he couldn't get balanced. Everyone makes a shitty set once in awhile.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2022 at 4:06 PM
    #75
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    Nevada lemon law (copy/pasted) tid bits…
    • The vehicle has had to be repaired for serious issues a substantial number of times (usually at least four) OR been out of service for a cumulative 30 days or more in a year-long period AND
    • The vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s warranty OR has been in the possession of the owner for less than one year (whichever is sooner).

    • The most common manufacturer defects in lemons include:
     
  16. Jul 11, 2022 at 4:46 PM
    #76
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    the big problem is dealers simply saying “could not reproduce” or “characteristic” of vehicle. Probably would need independent mechanic to diagnose it in that case
     
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  17. Jul 11, 2022 at 5:10 PM
    #77
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    The kinda good news for me is the service manager drove mine with myself and my wife in the car and he admitted he felt the shimmy.
     
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  18. Jul 11, 2022 at 5:16 PM
    #78
    4runGirl88

    4runGirl88 Get a little mud on the tires!

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    I guess I am most curious to know why the majority who put the rig in 4wd notice it stops...?
     
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  19. Jul 11, 2022 at 6:04 PM
    #79
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I was curious if it was somehow related to the needle bearing issue. The needle bearing will make a cyclical grinding noise around 30 MPH. Putting it in 4WD will make the noise stop, if it's a bad needle bearing. I figure putting it in 4WD might affect the wobble/shimmy if it were related to the needle bearing issue.

    Some have said that it wouldn't be related to the needle bearing because Limiteds experience it as well. But, I imagine they use the same needle bearing.:notsure:
     
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  20. Jul 11, 2022 at 8:15 PM
    #80
    Gstick

    Gstick New Member

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    Nailed it !

    It is a balancing issue plain & simple. Some tire shops either don't want to train the workers "properly" on how to use the Road Force balancer or, the tire changers just don't give a shit if its balanced right or not.

    Toyota SUV & truck wheels have a very large hub diameter which makes balancing more time consuming to set up right. I have gone down this road with my last 4R & I finally found a shop about 1 hour away from where I live that knows how to set up & use a "Road Force" balancer correctly. I run BFG KO2's (265/70/17, 6 ply) & DuraTracs (255/75/17, SL) on OEM wheels & they are smooth as silk.
     
  21. Jul 11, 2022 at 8:26 PM
    #81
    Gstick

    Gstick New Member

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    If you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, the front tires need re-balanced. If you feel a vibration in the seat (on your butt) the rear tires need re-balanced. That was brought to my attention over 35 years ago from a guy who did front-end alignments at a tire shop.
     
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  22. Jul 12, 2022 at 5:29 AM
    #82
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    I had both in a brand new 4R with 10 miles on it.
     
  23. Jul 12, 2022 at 8:14 AM
    #83
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    So what did you do to fix it?
     
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  24. Jul 12, 2022 at 8:30 AM
    #84
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    Not fixed, It is only 2 weeks old and goes in to the dealer on Thursday for service.
     
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  25. Jul 12, 2022 at 10:40 AM
    #85
    muddyix

    muddyix New Member

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    Mine had no issues with vibrations or steering wheel shake up until the first service at 4700 miles. Right after that, I noticed it pulled to the right, with very noticeable vibration, and steering wheel shake from anything over 50 mph. Brought it back to the dealership the next day and they rebalanced all 4 tires. Still had the same issue. At this time they couldn't due an alignment due to the time of day so I had to bring it back the following day (yesterday). Alignment wasn't terribly off of spec, so they rebalanced all 4 again. They found out that two of the 4 tires (the ones that were originally in the rear) were defective. So they are ordering a new set of tires under warranty and should be here on Thursday. Hopefully, this fixes the issue for me!
     
  26. Jul 12, 2022 at 10:43 AM
    #86
    Altitude4x4

    Altitude4x4 New Member

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    You're usually not going highway speeds in 4WD.
     
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  27. Jul 12, 2022 at 10:59 AM
    #87
    Henry J

    Henry J Crap…crap crap crap crap…crap

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    I’d get random vibration right about 65 on freeways and then all the time at 80. Steering wheel shake was subtle but constant after I got a lift.

    Just swapped wheels to RRW and had American tire road force balance. Literally no vibration or steering wheel shake at all. Got up to 85 on the drive this weekend and was laughing.
     
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  28. Jul 12, 2022 at 11:38 AM
    #88
    DallasTRDPro

    DallasTRDPro New Member

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    Could this be related to alignment?
     
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  29. Jul 12, 2022 at 11:46 AM
    #89
    Henry J

    Henry J Crap…crap crap crap crap…crap

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    I did get an alignment with my prior wheels but did not get one with my new wheels.
     
  30. Jul 22, 2022 at 5:15 PM
    #90
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    30 day update:
    Road force balanced.
    Discovered the spot that marks the tire’s light side was not correct on one front tire.
    Raised pressure to 38psi cold.
    shimmy 95% gone.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2022
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