WindomEarles
New member
I have my 4runner at the dealer again. A Toyota tech is flying in to diagnose. I will let u guys know what happens. Hopefully it's just some bum wheels.
2012 Trail Steering Wheel Vibration
- Thread starter WindomEarles
- Start date
pokwa
New member
vibrating
I had similar issue that you had.Mine was 2010 sr5 and since I bought this vehicle I had slight vibrating steering wheel.When I pressed break at 60 mph on free way the steering shook like hell. So I asked on this forum and someone suggested me to check rotors.I went to my dealer and did test drive but not happened in front of them because there was speed limit around dealer's area.I insisted to them about this issue finally they ordered front disc plates and rotors from factory changed.Since then all these problems have gone away.
Sorry; I meant say "change the tires" not wheels.
When they rotated tires the problem went away, so the problem was only with 2 wheels/tires. When they try to balance the bad tires, it required a lot of weights ("above normal" according to the mechanic), so they put 2 new tires.
FERAL 4R
New member
Man, I guess I'm lucky, no issues whatsoever with mine (2011 trail)...Reading all these posts with the 4Runner, and also the FJ, which I had and never had a problem with either.
If new tires/balancing didn't fix the problem, I would ask them to replace the wheels (rims). Demand satisfaction!
If new tires/balancing didn't fix the problem, I would ask them to replace the wheels (rims). Demand satisfaction!
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probos
New member
What?
First off, considering that it's a completely untrue statement makes your dealer a lair. Secondly, saying something so dismissive insults ones intelligence. What a moron.
probos
New member
The actual wheels (rims) or just the tires?
Reason I ask -- I've experienced the "wheel wobble" thing since I got my '11 LE back from the dealer after the 10K service. Tire rotation was part of the service.
Funny thing is I've only noticed it a handful of times -- most of the time the ride seems smooth as ever. I took the it on a road trip up to Philly this past weekend and noticed it a few times -- it's very slight but I can feel it in the steering wheel and seat. I'll have to pay more attention over the next few days to see what speed it happens at for me.
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TX - Longhorns
New member
We own a 2011 SR5 with about 22K on it, I noticed the 'shimmy' in the steering wheel after the 10K rotation and oil change as well. I took it back and the dealer balanced and aligned the vehicle, still didn't cure the problem. It continues to do it every so often, and really only happens at 60+ mph.
So, dropped by Discount Tire a few months back and they pretty much said the tires are cheap and aren't worth a darn (we all know that). They also went on to say replacing the tires should help the problem; however, may not get rid of the problem 100%. The fella there went on to say the tire was pretty much not wearing evenly throughout, thus the vibration...
Not sure, we'll see what happens after I replace the tires later this year...
So, dropped by Discount Tire a few months back and they pretty much said the tires are cheap and aren't worth a darn (we all know that). They also went on to say replacing the tires should help the problem; however, may not get rid of the problem 100%. The fella there went on to say the tire was pretty much not wearing evenly throughout, thus the vibration...
Not sure, we'll see what happens after I replace the tires later this year...
WindomEarles
New member
Dealer found a tire with high road force reading. They replaced the tire which reduced the vibration, but it's still present. I left it at the dealership told them it improved but it's still there. Will let u know what's next.
WindomEarles
New member
i thought the dealer got rid of the vibration by doing a "hub centric" balance, but after a couple days of driving the vibration is slightly back. I called dealership and will most likely end up taking it back it.
how could the vibration come back? The weather did warm up the last few days, which may have effected it guess, but jesus.
I'm about ready to demand some better tires. These bridgestone are ****.
how could the vibration come back? The weather did warm up the last few days, which may have effected it guess, but jesus.
I'm about ready to demand some better tires. These bridgestone are ****.
First post!
I have a 2012 TE with about 2,000 miles on it now. Same steering wheel vibration at times on highway between 55 - 70. It seems to come and go though. I also had noticed my alignment was off.
Thinking at first it was the crap tires, I replaced them at discount tire with Michelin LTX AT2 (P rated). The vibration was actually worse after doing this.
I took the truck to my Toyota dealer and they did an alignment and balance. Alignment and driving was tons better after this - they definitely said it was out of spec from factory and gave me the printout. They also balanced and when I left dealer, vibration was gone for that drive but came back literally on the drive home that night.
Took it back to the dealer again - they did a road force balance and put a note about how it's a truck based SUV (blah blah) and that more balancing after this likely would not improve steering wheel shake.
After the 2nd road force balance on the new tires, it was great - absolutely perfect for 2 weeks but just this morning the steering wheel shimmy is back. It comes and goes for sure, but one thing I've noticed is that when the truck is cold, if I ease out of my driveway and down the road, the steering seems lighter and shakes more once up to highway speed. If it rev the engine up a bit and go out of my driveway and down neighborhood street a bit faster, the steering feels tighter for the whole trip with less shimmy (I drive on the highway every day for my commute).
Not sure yet if something is really wrong but I will post updates here. If anyone else hears of anything, please post. Otherwise, love this truck!
I have a 2012 TE with about 2,000 miles on it now. Same steering wheel vibration at times on highway between 55 - 70. It seems to come and go though. I also had noticed my alignment was off.
Thinking at first it was the crap tires, I replaced them at discount tire with Michelin LTX AT2 (P rated). The vibration was actually worse after doing this.
I took the truck to my Toyota dealer and they did an alignment and balance. Alignment and driving was tons better after this - they definitely said it was out of spec from factory and gave me the printout. They also balanced and when I left dealer, vibration was gone for that drive but came back literally on the drive home that night.
Took it back to the dealer again - they did a road force balance and put a note about how it's a truck based SUV (blah blah) and that more balancing after this likely would not improve steering wheel shake.
After the 2nd road force balance on the new tires, it was great - absolutely perfect for 2 weeks but just this morning the steering wheel shimmy is back. It comes and goes for sure, but one thing I've noticed is that when the truck is cold, if I ease out of my driveway and down the road, the steering seems lighter and shakes more once up to highway speed. If it rev the engine up a bit and go out of my driveway and down neighborhood street a bit faster, the steering feels tighter for the whole trip with less shimmy (I drive on the highway every day for my commute).
Not sure yet if something is really wrong but I will post updates here. If anyone else hears of anything, please post. Otherwise, love this truck!
WindomEarles
New member
sounds like you're in the same boat as I am. I was actually close to getting new Michelin LTX M/S 2 or the A/T 2 to see if it improved. Sounds like your has improved with the new tires/balance/alignment. I would agree that I'm seeing similar behavior - it comes and goes, and weather/temperature changes seem to effect it.
Looks like I'm in the same boat as the rest of you.
I've got the Bridgestone Dueller (sp?) tires on my 2011 T4R SR5 as well. I've had the tires balanced 3 times now over 6500 miles with minimal improvment. The shop isn't just adding weight, they check the tires, if there is any weight needed they strip the old weight off and start fresh.
When I say minimal improvement, I mean immediately after rebalancing, the tires feel fine. The next morning the shake/vibration is back for around 9 miles then it comes and goes. In the afternoon when warmer, the vibe is only there for the first 4-5 miles then it comes and goes.
Do these tires just suck or what? I'm about ready to pull the trigger on some Goodyear Duratracs. Has anyone gone from the stock tires to the Goodyears with good results to fix/eliminate the vibe issue?
I've got the Bridgestone Dueller (sp?) tires on my 2011 T4R SR5 as well. I've had the tires balanced 3 times now over 6500 miles with minimal improvment. The shop isn't just adding weight, they check the tires, if there is any weight needed they strip the old weight off and start fresh.
When I say minimal improvement, I mean immediately after rebalancing, the tires feel fine. The next morning the shake/vibration is back for around 9 miles then it comes and goes. In the afternoon when warmer, the vibe is only there for the first 4-5 miles then it comes and goes.
Do these tires just suck or what? I'm about ready to pull the trigger on some Goodyear Duratracs. Has anyone gone from the stock tires to the Goodyears with good results to fix/eliminate the vibe issue?
scanny
Senior Member
I've gone from Bridgestones to Duratracs, but I've never had any vibe issues.
I would make dealer to fix the issue under warranty, but replacing stock tires with AT tires is always a good idea : )
Hardrunner
New member
Get better tires.
WindomEarles
New member
Dealership gave me some michilen latitude tires. Guess what? Vibration still exists!
I'm going to see if another dealership can try to balance the tires to try and eliminate the balancing machine.
This is turning into a nightmare.
I am not sure this has not already been tried, but one never knows. There is a way to "spin" the wheel vs.the tire. In other words, they measure the heavy part of the wheel, then the heavy position of the tire, making sure they are 180 degrees apart. Local Discount tires had to do that with one of my OEM wheels. Fixed the problem. If your balancing folks have not tried this yet, well, Just sayin. Be Safe.
WindomEarles
New member
Someone help me before I go postal!
Jeremy556
New member
Go here:
Hunter GSP9700 Wheel vibration Control System solves wheel vibration and tire pull problems that balancers and aligners can't fix
Find a local shop that has one of these. Call ahead, explain that you have had your wheels balanced multiple times by multiple people and you need "the guy" to properly balance your wheels and troubleshoot the issue. It may cost a few bucks, but you can probably get the dealer to pay for it, and if not, it's probably worth it anyway.
WindomEarles
New member
The dealer has this system. Already checked. So it didn't solve it.
