Limited question: vibration in steering/floor - Toyota 4Runner Forum

stiles_s · 12-14-2022, 04:18 PM

My Limited is a few months old and has 5k on it. I am about to go diving into it to see if I can debug a vibration. Thought I would check with the brain trust here first.

I notice it mostly in the mornings. Partly because driving out of my neighborhood is up a gentle slope at low speed.

Symptom is high frequency vibration (felt and heard a bit) coming through near driver’s floor and steering wheel. Wife claims she can’t hear it.

Only on throttle (moderate). Disappears when off throttle.

Anyone experienced this or solved? I mentioned to the service advisor at the 5k checkup and got blank stares

Limited question: vibration in steering/floor

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stiles_s · 12-14-2022, 06:19 PM

So far:
1) there is a little air routing duct under the front skid plate that is a pita to remove with those little clips. My old ‘16 didn’t have that. I hate plastic clips.
2) x-reas tubing was contacting metal to metal. Going to insulate
3) there is a small heat shield hanging off of the trans that is loose (free play) yet the bolts holding it on are tight. Odd. Could easily see a rattle here. May add washers to better secure it

More after coffee

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stiles_s · 12-14-2022, 08:04 PM

Drove it without the skid plates and no difference. Maybe slightly louder when it reproed.

Checked everything I could see. Nothing obvious.

I am now wondering if it is a Limited thing because we are full time driving the front diff. Feels and sounds like it could be noisy gears. That might jive with it only being in light throttle.

Net: I guess I will bring it up with the dealer next time just in case they know of something. But my success rate getting dealers to fix something subtle like this is pretty low.

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Bmnorm2 · 12-15-2022, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles_s

Drove it without the skid plates and no difference. Maybe slightly louder when it reproed.

Checked everything I could see. Nothing obvious.

I am now wondering if it is a Limited thing because we are full time driving the front diff. Feels and sounds like it could be noisy gears. That might jive with it only being in light throttle.

Net: I guess I will bring it up with the dealer next time just in case they know of something. But my success rate getting dealers to fix something subtle like this is pretty low.

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When did you put on the ORP 17s? What tires? Did the noise exist before the change? Does the frequency change with the vehicle speed?

fkheath · 12-15-2022, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles_s

I notice it mostly in the mornings. Partly because driving out of my neighborhood is up a gentle slope at low speed.

Could be flat spot tires. What tires do you have and what is their construction? (cord material). Nylon is the worst. You have to drive nylon tires several miles before the flat spots go away.

stiles_s · 12-15-2022, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmnorm2

When did you put on the ORP 17s? What tires? Did the noise exist before the change? Does the frequency change with the vehicle speed?

I put them on pretty early. It isn't tires. Just a "groan" with a bit of "buzz" in the floor and the steering from 20-30mph up a slight incline while "on throttle". If I pull off throttle it disappears.

It's like if the engine was "torqued over" just enough to cause contact with something. Really strange.

stiles_s · 12-15-2022, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkheath

Could be flat spot tires. What tires do you have and what is their construction? (cord material). Nylon is the worst. You have to drive nylon tires several miles before the flat spots go away.

Good idea, but nah. they are the 17" OEMs (at20s?) but flat spots vibrations happen linearly with speed and aren't affected by throttle position. Smooth as glass up to 80 on the freeway.

I do think I'll throw the 20s back on though. Why not. Better tread for winter.

Humble Leader · 12-15-2022, 04:22 PM

it's difficult to troubleshoot a vibration without being able to experience it. however I do have a limited - 2012 - and I do feel a slight vibration in lower speeds mostly through the floor, not really the steering wheel. it's very minor and I really have to feel for it with my feet. almost 160k miles and no issues, my guess is this is normal

mine does not make any audible sound though

stiles_s · 12-15-2022, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humble Leader

it's difficult to troubleshoot a vibration without being able to experience it. however I do have a limited - 2012 - and I do feel a slight vibration in lower speeds mostly through the floor, not really the steering wheel. it's very minor and I really have to feel for it with my feet. almost 160k miles and no issues, my guess is this is normal

mine does not make any audible sound though

Thanks! As far as I can tell there isn’t anything accidentally loose or rubbing. Guessing I will need to live with it and doubt it will have any effect longevity wise. If I wanted smooth I should have gone with a gx and lived with the extra 700lbs

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Humble Leader · 12-16-2022, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles_s

Thanks! As far as I can tell there isn’t anything accidentally loose or rubbing. Guessing I will need to live with it and doubt it will have any effect longevity wise. If I wanted smooth I should have gone with a gx and lived with the extra 700lbs

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I wouldn't worry about it tbh. a couple of these threads pop up every once in a while and the conclusion is always nothing can be found and that it must be normal. temperature, tires and perhaps even suspension might impact the vibration. if no one has been able to find an issue and nothing seems out of place likely normal operation

Bmnorm2 · 12-17-2022, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles_s

I put them on pretty early. It isn't tires. Just a "groan" with a bit of "buzz" in the floor and the steering from 20-30mph up a slight incline while "on throttle". If I pull off throttle it disappears.

It's like if the engine was "torqued over" just enough to cause contact with something. Really strange.

I have a limited as well and I think this is normal. Like you said, it’s a Toyota, not a Lexus. Your lowest cost, easiest solution may be some 80 mil butyl sound deadening mats.

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