Steering wheel shake at 50 - 60 MPH. - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Signal · 05-29-2020, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopsSmurf

I'm getting a a decent steering wheel shake when I get up to about 50mph and it goes away around the 60-65 mph range.

The background is that this is an almost new 2020 TRDOP w/KDSS. I just leveled the front end with Bilstein 6112's, installed new Falken ATW3 in stock size on new OEM TRD wheels. Also installed Bilstein 5100's in the rear without changing the rear springs. I installed the new coilovers and shocks myself. It has approximately 5k miles on it. The new tires were installed on the new wheels and obviously balanced at that time. After a few hundred miles I finally got it in to the dealer for it's 5K service and had it aligned at the dealer. It was pretty far off after the new coilovers were installed but since I didn't even lift it a full 2" it got back into specs easily. I can't really tell if it got any better after the alignment but the wheel shake is still there in that speed range. Before the lift it was perfect from the factory and I can't remember if I did the lift before or after the new tires/wheels were installed (I want to say before and I didn't notice the shake but anybodies guess at this point).

Anyhow, with this COVID-19 I haven't been able to go back to Discount Tire to have them re-balanced yet but I was hoping for any suggestions beyond the tires and alignment. I've looked at countless threads but besides alignment and balancing not too many suggestions of where to focus. If it was my Ford F350 and I was getting the death shake I would loosen and readjust the front track bar. Anyway to reset the KDSS or other components I should be looking at in the front end. I'm hoping it is the tires but who knows.

Thanks

Welcome to the group, I took the 4runner to the dealer on a weekly basis for this issue and I gave up. 20k miles on my 4runner and at 60 the steering wheel shakes bad. they rotated the tires, gave it an alignment, tried different wheels and tires and nothing made it better. I bought a 3 inch lift and just ordered new UCA's. next will be wheels and tires. If it's still there aft that the dealer is not going to have a good day.

DEF4Runner · 05-29-2020, 10:36 PM

I really hate to recommend this because the truck is relatively new, but check the brake calipers. If there's a seized piston, it'll give you wheel shake. I dealt with this issue for quite a while on my 4th gen and when I replaced the calipers, it went away and was smooth as glass. I bought the lifetime warranty NAPA calipers and took advantage of it twice until I sold it.

Just remove the caliper and try to compress the pistons in with a c-clamp. If there's one more difficult than the others...could be it. On my 4th gen, it was the inner lower piston that would constantly seize up.

Hate to think it's bad calipers this soon, but maybe that's a possibility.

Good luck!

RusPro17 · 05-30-2020, 02:25 AM

It was the Falken tires on my 2020 Pro. 3 different sets and mounted on my new SCS wheels and shake between 50 and 60. Did not have it before I removed my pro wheels and tires. My Pro only has on it at the time 2000 miles on it. Put Nitto’s back on and smooth as silk.

85GT-79FJ40 · 05-30-2020, 10:37 AM

definitely tires. Mine was smooth as silk with the OE wheels and General Grabber ATX's even with 1.25" spacers. I already had my suspension on (eibach springs and 5100's with a .75 cornfed spacer out back and JBA UCA's) and it was perfect. Bought a set of Methods and 285 AT3's and it's driven like a POS between about 50 and 65 since. 3 trips to the balancer and it seems better initially but sure enough it's still there and just seems to get progressively worse. Unfortunately I have about 2k miles on the tires and I bought them on amazon so I'm probably hosed. I will probably buy a new set of BFG At's this week. So sick of my nice 67k mile truck driving like a shitbox.

DallasTRDPro · 05-30-2020, 12:15 PM

I barely had it on my Pro. Then I added spacers and it was slightly worse. Then I had my tires rotated and balanced and it sucks at 55-60. I just speed right through that speed so I don't have to worry about it.

RusPro17 · 05-30-2020, 06:03 PM

I contacted Falken twice. The girl I spoke with was very helpful. You have 30 days to return the Falkens if you are not happy. She even told me after my third set to switch to something else. And I did.

yota275 · 05-30-2020, 07:22 PM

At that speed its almost always a balance issue. Depending on the order in which you got new tires and balanced them and got your lift if could have changed how you sit on your tires even if you got it aligned. I'd see if you can find a place that will check your balance and not just re-balance them to see if that was the issue before you do anything.

1jzgte · 05-31-2020, 12:45 AM

I cant believe this is still problem after 10 years of this model. This has been going on since 2010 folks. Its not the tires, suspension, or any theory you guys came up with... its the design of the steering.. its upsetting that toyota just left that shit alone after all these years

RichinRidgewood · 05-31-2020, 07:02 AM

No vibration either through the steering wheel or through the truck body.

02SE · 05-31-2020, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1jzgte

I cant believe this is still problem after 10 years of this model. This has been going on since 2010 folks. Its not the tires, suspension, or any theory you guys came up with... its the design of the steering.. its upsetting that toyota just left that shit alone after all these years

It's been going on since Toyota switched to steering racks on their trucks and SUVs. So '95 with the introduction of the Tacoma, then the 4Runner in '96.

Steering racks are more sensitive to any tire uniformity or wheel run-out issue. Trucks and SUVs have bigger, heavier tires than cars, so any tire uniformity or wheel run-out issue is more likely to be felt.

The upside to using steering racks is that the steering is more precise than the old recirculating ball systems.

So it generally IS a tire or wheel issue. Of course if we're talking an old vehicle with worn chassis components (ball joints, tie-rods, etc.) that can contribute to uniformity/run-out issues being more readily felt.

Some tire manufacturers just do a better job building round tires. I avoid the ones that have a hard time doing that. Having a competent tech installing and balancing the tires also helps.

Nuke · 05-31-2020, 02:37 PM

I've owned 2nd thru 5th gen 4Runners and they all have been a royal PITA to have balanced correctly. It seems the wheels are (were?) lug centric as opposed to hub centric, the later of which will give you a good balance on most any spin balancer. Lug centric wheels tend to require an adapter and most shops don't use them because it takes time. I had a shop do a spin balance, then had them rotate the wheel about 90 degrees on the shaft of the machine and then re-spin it. It was way off.

A shop that has a RoadForce balancer is your next best bet after a COMPETENT Toyota dealer.

1jzgte · 06-01-2020, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02SE

It's been going on since Toyota switched to steering racks on their trucks and SUVs. So '95 with the introduction of the Tacoma, then the 4Runner in '96.

Steering racks are more sensitive to any tire uniformity or wheel run-out issue. Trucks and SUVs have bigger, heavier tires than cars, so any tire uniformity or wheel run-out issue is more likely to be felt.

The upside to using steering racks is that the steering is more precise than the old recirculating ball systems.

So it generally IS a tire or wheel issue. Of course if we're talking an old vehicle with worn chassis components (ball joints, tie-rods, etc.) that can contribute to uniformity/run-out issues being more readily felt.

Some tire manufacturers just do a better job building round tires. I avoid the ones that have a hard time doing that. Having a competent tech installing and balancing the tires also helps.

When you say trucks and SUV's does this apply to other makes and models? I have no experience with other makes but am curious whether truck/suv drivers just accept this as normal truck behavior?

ryguytheman · 06-01-2020, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEF4Runner

Unequal PSI as in 1-2 pounds?

That small of a difference probably isn't contributing much. Over 5, then yes. In my experience.

02SE · 06-01-2020, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1jzgte

When you say trucks and SUV's does this apply to other makes and models? I have no experience with other makes but am curious whether truck/suv drivers just accept this as normal truck behavior?

Of course. But not all Trucks or SUVs use a steering rack.

It's not a steering rack issue. The steering rack design is just more sensitive to any imbalance, run-out, or uniformity issue.

Salvo Jimmy · 06-02-2020, 07:57 AM

In addition to the causes noted above, I recall a TSB that said improperly torqued lug nut could cause the vibration

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