Weird sensation in gas pedal when going slow and turning

After I recently had my tires rotated at Costco (less than 7,000 on tread) as I drove it away and went to stop, I felt this hard to explain weirdness in the steering wheel and gas pedal. Almost like they forgot tighten my tires. So back to Costco I went and they took it off and made sure one of the weights was not hitting then rotor. They found nothing. My truck was perfect before I took it to them and never had any issue. Fast forward to a few weeks later, the issue is still there. I am boggled by what it could be. When I go to slow to 25 or less and or are backing up and turning the wheel, I can feel a sensation in the gas pedal. It’s hard to put a finger on what sounds it’s making. Maybe a slight knock or creak. I don’t know if my shock or something to do with my steering - like the pump or something. Took it to Toyota for a check up a few weeks back so they checked fluids. Has anyone else experienced this? Where do I start to diagnose?

 

Welcome to the forum!

I can’t explain the feeling in the gas pedal. It’s electric. That is to say there’s no cable attached to it that goes through the firewall into the engine compartment and attaches to the throttle body. It’s just electrical wires.

There are some plastic flaps inside the wheel wells that keep water and mud out of the engine compartment. They are held in place by plastic clips. I know it sounds unlikely but some folks who’ve had the symptoms you’ve described found that one or more clips had come loose and the noises they were feeling came from the flaps flapping. It’s a common enough issue that there are aftermarket flaps available that are more rigid and don’t flap. IIRC.

 

I’m confused. You’re saying the sensation in the gas pedal and sound could be coming from the plastic clips on the mud flaps? I know I’ve narrowed that issue to be the metal on metal sound I hear when I go over bumps. That seems to be a common issue, but having those clips be the culprit to what I’m feeling in the steering wheel, gas pedal and when Im turning slowly boggles my mind.

 

I think the flapping vibration gets transferred to the firewall, to which the accelerator pedal is bolted and through which the steering column passes. Hence the feeling in the pedal and wheel.

 

Interesting. Ok, so new flaps and new clips. Thanks, I’ll try it. I appreciate the tips.

I just don’t see the 2018 4 runner flaps, flapping that much, but I could be wrong and is worth the try to swap them out.

You said there were some aftermarket rigid ones. Do you know where I might find these?

 

Sorry no. But someone will chime in no doubt.

 

ARK SPLASH GUARDS

These are heavy duty & totally awesome stuff!

 

Great! Do you know if they come with clips or do you have to purchase those seperately?

 

They come with all the heavy duty hardware needed for the install. Heavy duty meaning more substantial than OEM clips.

 

Amazing! Ordering. Thanks for your help!

 

For what it's worth: my 4Runner has an ever so slight vibrating feeling in the gas peddle whenever I'm turning slow (15-20 mph). I notice it after a drive when I'm coming home and turning onto my street and then driveway. It's hard to describe cause it doesn't make a sound; just a slight pulse of a vibration. My 4Runner is a 2024 ORP with 10k miles on it, and my 2022 ORP had the same thing. I googled this issue and found lots of other people that described the same thing. Good news - I never found anyone to say that it got worse, or anything bad happened. Just stories of people taking it into mechanics and dealerships to be told there is nothing bad. Bad news - I never found anyone say they found a fix for it.

Also, I have the Ark Splash guards posted above installed on my 4Runner and they did not make the issue go away. I also want to add that I have the ECGS needle bearing replacement installed (it was installed by ECGS themselves, so very little chance of a messed up install), and that also did not get rid of the weird vibration. I mention the needle bearing because you'll inevitably come across that being suggested as a possible problem.

I do have Toyo RT Trail E load tires installed; no other mods. I just ignore the little vibration.

 

Can you try to explain what you’re feeling with a bit more detail? Does what you feel in the steering wheel and the pedal feel the same, and does it happen at the same time.

Which tires did you get? Any chance you’re just feeling the texture of the tread at slow speeds? Depending on the tire and block pattern, you’re going to feel the tread at slower speeds.

 

Thanks for the reply. Did you ever hear a clunking noise? I still might try the Ark’s to see if they resolve any of my issue. It’s going to be hard to let this go and just let the noises be there without any sort of fix. My OCD mind is going crazy about it.

 

Nope, I never heard a clunking noise. In fact I don’t hear any unusual noise with the vibrating. It’s just a slight moment of vibration that I feel through the gas pedal. I know what you mean about the OCD. And the Arks are a nice upgrade from the factory splash guards, so even if they don’t fix it it’s not a total waste of money.

 

100%. Had the rubber splash shields rip on my 03 4Runner and felt it through the pedal.

 

It is very hard to pinpoint and diagnose. I think sometimes it happens simultaneously; however, I am not certain that is the case all the time. I have the K02s. I had the same set last time for 50k and never noticed this until my first rotation and balance on this set. All so bizarre.

 

Wild - everything keeps pointing to the splash shields.

 

Just ordered a pair of Ark's. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

Run your flat hand across the face of your tires and see if they are chopping up. You can probably see the chop if they are. They will make you think your wheels and bearings are coming out and since it's after rotation, if you don't haul regularly, don't run 44 psi. That's for fully loaded. Buy a tire gauge and learn what you like, where you like it, how you want it and depend on yourself.

 

The Ark’s solved my issue for the most part. All the weird sounds and feelings (for the most part) are gone!! I still have a little vibration in my gas pedal when turning slowly, but sounds like that is a known issue. Thanks for everyone’s help!!

 

So…I think I jinxed myself. The Arks did not resolve the issue. All the noises are back. Back to the drawing board.