CraigRoberts
New member
Sorry to hear. I had some vibration with my Duratracs, but just had to get them rebalanced.
2012 Trail Steering Wheel Vibration
- Thread starter WindomEarles
- Start date
WindomEarles
New member
Ya 40$k for this....ugh...I'm about to get a lawyer to lemon law it
WindomEarles--we are definately in the same boat.
Two days ago, I take my 4Runner into the dealer to have them look at the shimmy/balancing issue. I tell them again that this is trip number 5 to have them balanced by both Discount Tire and Toyota. I told them to do a road force balance...not just the regular balance as this isn't solving the problem.
I leave it with them overnight--they balanced the tires on their machine and test drove it. Shimmy still there. I get a call saying the shimmy is still there and that "The service manager drove another 4runner on the lot and it had the vibe too, so it's normal." I call BS on this. They said they were going to "look at a few more things." OK. Dealer calls and says they are taking the vehicle to have it done on a road force balancer. I'm thinking--great, about time you listen.
So I pick it up last night and it's smooth as glass. I'm happy.
This morning on the way into work, smooth as glass for the first 15 miles, then for no good reason, the shimmy returns. :wtf:
Needless to say I'm calling them back and it's going to the shop again. I personally think these Bridgestone tires are complete and utter shi'ite (or maybe I just got a bad set) for them to do this type of thing.
Has anyone had luck with getting the dealer to replace all the tires? If so, what are the magic words?
More to follow.
Two days ago, I take my 4Runner into the dealer to have them look at the shimmy/balancing issue. I tell them again that this is trip number 5 to have them balanced by both Discount Tire and Toyota. I told them to do a road force balance...not just the regular balance as this isn't solving the problem.
I leave it with them overnight--they balanced the tires on their machine and test drove it. Shimmy still there. I get a call saying the shimmy is still there and that "The service manager drove another 4runner on the lot and it had the vibe too, so it's normal." I call BS on this. They said they were going to "look at a few more things." OK. Dealer calls and says they are taking the vehicle to have it done on a road force balancer. I'm thinking--great, about time you listen.
So I pick it up last night and it's smooth as glass. I'm happy.
This morning on the way into work, smooth as glass for the first 15 miles, then for no good reason, the shimmy returns. :wtf:
Needless to say I'm calling them back and it's going to the shop again. I personally think these Bridgestone tires are complete and utter shi'ite (or maybe I just got a bad set) for them to do this type of thing.
Has anyone had luck with getting the dealer to replace all the tires? If so, what are the magic words?
More to follow.
I had vibration of the steering wheel; it went away when dealer did tire rotation and came back on the next rotation. This pointed to specific pair of tires. They tried to balance and it required weight above normal. Dealer called Toyota and got OK to replace the 2 tires (Dunlop) and after replacing them the problem went away (so far; mileage now around 11k).
nashman69g
Member
right...because domestic vehicles are not susceptible to wheel vibrations.:wtf:
thatsmybusiness
New member
2012 4Runner Vibration Email NHTSA
Hello all,
I have the same issue. I am currently contacting the NHTSB about this issue. All need to do this. Also, I am contacting consumerreports.org. Its interesting, I have Dunflops (haha) on mine. You mentioned bridgestones and Mich tires and had the issues.
The Toyota engineer said "it maybe characteristic of this vehicle" meaning that Toyota is aware of the problem and has NO WAY or CLUE how to fix it.
They even put new rims and tires from a new truck and it made it WORSE!!!!
So this is the action that needs to be taken. Put pressure on the NHTSB to investigate this issue. A vibration is dangerous and can cause a loss of traction and other tire wear issues.
Whatever you dealer tells you, it is total BS. They know its a problem and have no fing clue what to do. SO HERE IS WHAT YOU DO!
Email and bombard the NHTSA- NHTSA Contact Information | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Be thorough and be professional. If all of us flood them with the same issue and the same vehicle they will act. Lets recall Toyota is still in their eye from their last cover up with the throttle issue.
Email
Hello all,
I have the same issue. I am currently contacting the NHTSB about this issue. All need to do this. Also, I am contacting consumerreports.org. Its interesting, I have Dunflops (haha) on mine. You mentioned bridgestones and Mich tires and had the issues.
The Toyota engineer said "it maybe characteristic of this vehicle" meaning that Toyota is aware of the problem and has NO WAY or CLUE how to fix it.
They even put new rims and tires from a new truck and it made it WORSE!!!!
So this is the action that needs to be taken. Put pressure on the NHTSB to investigate this issue. A vibration is dangerous and can cause a loss of traction and other tire wear issues.
Whatever you dealer tells you, it is total BS. They know its a problem and have no fing clue what to do. SO HERE IS WHAT YOU DO!
Email and bombard the NHTSA- NHTSA Contact Information | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Be thorough and be professional. If all of us flood them with the same issue and the same vehicle they will act. Lets recall Toyota is still in their eye from their last cover up with the throttle issue.
icsa
New member
Toyota is aware of the issue. They have a TSB issued for Lexus GX: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/117887-steering-wheel-vibration-poll-2.html#post1097678
FERAL 4R
New member
I understand everyone's frustrations, no one mentioned this, but has anyone seen the tire tech actually use a torque wrench on the lugs, or just the old fashioned air jack hammer...I say this because I have never had an issue with vibrations because I specifically ask for them to torque the lug nuts after rotation. Then when I get home, I recheck the torque with my own wrench. Never had an issue.
If torqueing properly and wheel balancing, going as far as tire replacement, doesn't fix the issue...Demand new wheels (rims)
If torqueing properly and wheel balancing, going as far as tire replacement, doesn't fix the issue...Demand new wheels (rims)
Hi All,
I just got my TE with TDR wheels. First thing I did after two days of ownership was to swap those stocks tires with DuraTracs 265/70-17. Before, I had a vibration at around 61-65mph. After, vibration is gone ! So my take is that either the tires, or the wheels, or tires+wheels were the problem. Going for a 4.5 hour trip this weekend, and will report back after with more info and/or if I get the vibration back.
Cheers,
G.
I just got my TE with TDR wheels. First thing I did after two days of ownership was to swap those stocks tires with DuraTracs 265/70-17. Before, I had a vibration at around 61-65mph. After, vibration is gone ! So my take is that either the tires, or the wheels, or tires+wheels were the problem. Going for a 4.5 hour trip this weekend, and will report back after with more info and/or if I get the vibration back.
Cheers,
G.
Hi Everyone, first time poster here(on any forum actually). I just bought a 2012 Trail last Saturday and was noticing a vibration as well. I also noticed that I wasn't getting over 17 mpg and I do mostly highway driving and was taking it easy on the gas pedal. Now I'm not the most mechanically savvy person, I don't plan on modding my truck because I don't have a garage and about the most I can do is change my oil lol, but I realized my eco light wasn't coming on when I was driving as well. Did a quick search on that, and turns out I was driving in Manual mode which only automatically shifts up to 4th gear(explains the gas mileage). Anyway, to get to the point, now that I am not a dumbass anymore, and am driving in automatic, the vibration has gone away. Might be worth checking for you guys...(also, feel free to flame away about me being an idiot driving in manual and not automatic and not knowing my vehicle, I actually asked the dealer about how the whole manual thing worked and he couldn't explain it to me, so I'm not the only one)
2012 sr5 new
Hi All:
I recently purchased my 1st 4 runner SR5 nicely equiped 2012 with 800 miles.
Problem.... right front vbration starts at 55 to 60 MPH
Took it back to dealer within the 1st week. Spent two hours on the rack but dealer could not determine problem. Returned the following Monday so they rebalanced all 4, mixed and matched the wheels to the tires. Still had the same problem!!! Returned to dealer again for two more days in the shop, this time they tried to swap wheels and tires from another new 4 runner, still they same problem. They are now waiting for Toyota to authorize new set of tires. The Dunlops came as standard equipment and all 5 tires, including the spare have been swapped around this vehicle and the SM still thinks it's the tires. I'm not a mechanic but after driving new cars for 40 years I've never experienced this type of problem and truly believe that its mechanical. How many different tires and wheels can they put on and still have vibration in the right front? Any help on this issue will be appreciated.
Hi All:
I recently purchased my 1st 4 runner SR5 nicely equiped 2012 with 800 miles.
Problem.... right front vbration starts at 55 to 60 MPH
Took it back to dealer within the 1st week. Spent two hours on the rack but dealer could not determine problem. Returned the following Monday so they rebalanced all 4, mixed and matched the wheels to the tires. Still had the same problem!!! Returned to dealer again for two more days in the shop, this time they tried to swap wheels and tires from another new 4 runner, still they same problem. They are now waiting for Toyota to authorize new set of tires. The Dunlops came as standard equipment and all 5 tires, including the spare have been swapped around this vehicle and the SM still thinks it's the tires. I'm not a mechanic but after driving new cars for 40 years I've never experienced this type of problem and truly believe that its mechanical. How many different tires and wheels can they put on and still have vibration in the right front? Any help on this issue will be appreciated.
WindomEarles
New member
Well....the bottom line is that there is no resolution. This is a MAJOR issue that toyota continues to ignore. Along with the ops of this forum. We should at least be informing potential buyers of this issue.
You will not fix this problem with new tires, wheel balancing, etc.. it's a design defect that has yet to be identified as a problem. I guarantee that 90% of 5th gen 4runners have this problem. Make sure you contact toyota (above dealership level) to escalate.
Don't listen to the guys who say "I don't have it" because they probabably aren't detail oriented and lack a discerning mind. These are people you don't want working on a space shuttle, but probably excel at mindless sales jobs. FYI, I'm having a few beers while writing this. :repuke:
You will not fix this problem with new tires, wheel balancing, etc.. it's a design defect that has yet to be identified as a problem. I guarantee that 90% of 5th gen 4runners have this problem. Make sure you contact toyota (above dealership level) to escalate.
Don't listen to the guys who say "I don't have it" because they probabably aren't detail oriented and lack a discerning mind. These are people you don't want working on a space shuttle, but probably excel at mindless sales jobs. FYI, I'm having a few beers while writing this. :repuke:
Jivewalker
Member
2012 TE with 4100 miles. Have had no vibration at all, yet. It shouldn't be that way, I hope Toyota figures this out for you guys. there should be no vibration. When I test drove a different runner, it had it. The steering whel was physically rocking back and forth at a high frequency. The guy told me it was normal for a 4runner, i looked at him, laughed, and said bull sht.
harper7
Senior Member
Somebody should be checking/asking over on the Lexus GX460 forum to see if the stiffer $2.16 steering dampener spring on the Service Bulletin is fixing the problem . They and the FJ's have the exact same problem too ON SOME ,but not all.
Ours,according to the repair manual is supposed to be between 14-20 in/lbs force when testing and the new Lexus one is to be set at 22 in/lbs. Maybe people having the problem are the ones that are on the low 14 in/lbs side .I'd bet money we all have the same rack and pinion steering gear .
I don't have the problem as my steering wheel is vibration free and tracks straight and true or else I'd have the springs ordered by now to see if it fixes it. The couple times I had minor shake, a tire rebalancing took care of it on mine.
From our factory repair manual
" Using SST, turn the control valve and measure the preload.
SST: 09616-00011
Standard preload (turning):
1.6 to 2.3 N*m (16 to 23 kgf*cm, 14 to 20 in.*lbf)LEXUS SB L-SB-0020-12 CALLS OUT TO TRY FIRMER AND FIRMER SPRINGS TO BRING IT UP TO 22 in/lbs TO FIX THE RFV
If the turning torque is not as specified, replace the steering gear assembly.
HINT:
Measure the standard preload at the steering rack neutral point.
The steering control valve is fully turned when turned 2.74 (for Mexico 3.00) times. Half of the distance from the fully turned position is the neutral point."
I looked at this on mine and don't think it would be near as hard as on the Lexus with the KDSS bar in the way.
Ours,according to the repair manual is supposed to be between 14-20 in/lbs force when testing and the new Lexus one is to be set at 22 in/lbs. Maybe people having the problem are the ones that are on the low 14 in/lbs side .I'd bet money we all have the same rack and pinion steering gear .
I don't have the problem as my steering wheel is vibration free and tracks straight and true or else I'd have the springs ordered by now to see if it fixes it. The couple times I had minor shake, a tire rebalancing took care of it on mine.
From our factory repair manual
" Using SST, turn the control valve and measure the preload.
SST: 09616-00011
Standard preload (turning):
1.6 to 2.3 N*m (16 to 23 kgf*cm, 14 to 20 in.*lbf)LEXUS SB L-SB-0020-12 CALLS OUT TO TRY FIRMER AND FIRMER SPRINGS TO BRING IT UP TO 22 in/lbs TO FIX THE RFV
If the turning torque is not as specified, replace the steering gear assembly.
HINT:
Measure the standard preload at the steering rack neutral point.
The steering control valve is fully turned when turned 2.74 (for Mexico 3.00) times. Half of the distance from the fully turned position is the neutral point."
I looked at this on mine and don't think it would be near as hard as on the Lexus with the KDSS bar in the way.
Last edited:
MarkWalker
New member
2011 le
I have a 2011 LE that I immediately put 18" 4th Gen wheels and new Michelin tires on, and it has been rock solid for 23.5k. I am a picky driver and would have noticed if there was an issue...
Coming from a 2005 GX 470 with also no issues for 85K on it.
I have a 2011 LE that I immediately put 18" 4th Gen wheels and new Michelin tires on, and it has been rock solid for 23.5k. I am a picky driver and would have noticed if there was an issue...
Coming from a 2005 GX 470 with also no issues for 85K on it.
1engineer
Moderator
Somebody should be checking/asking over on the Lexus GX460 forum to see if the stiffer $2.16 steering dampener spring on the Service Bulletin is fixing the problem . They and the FJ's have the exact same problem too ON SOME ,but not all.
Ours,according to the repair manual is supposed to be between 14-20 in/lbs force when testing and the new Lexus one is to be set at 22 in/lbs. Maybe people having the problem are the ones that are on the low 14 in/lbs side .I'd bet money we all have the same rack and pinion steering gear .
I don't have the problem as my steering wheel is vibration free and tracks straight and true or else I'd have the springs ordered by now to see if it fixes it. The couple times I had minor shake, a tire rebalancing took care of it on mine.
From our factory repair manual
" Using SST, turn the control valve and measure the preload.
SST: 09616-00011
Standard preload (turning):
1.6 to 2.3 N*m (16 to 23 kgf*cm, 14 to 20 in.*lbf)LEXUS SB L-SB-0020-12 CALLS OUT TO TRY FIRMER AND FIRMER SPRINGS TO BRING IT UP TO 22 in/lbs TO FIX THE RFV
If the turning torque is not as specified, replace the steering gear assembly.
HINT:
Measure the standard preload at the steering rack neutral point.
The steering control valve is fully turned when turned 2.74 (for Mexico 3.00) times. Half of the distance from the fully turned position is the neutral point."
I looked at this on mine and don't think it would be near as hard as on the Lexus with the KDSS bar in the way.
Harper this is good stuff. If it is at it's low setting what some people would be getting is "feedback" from the road surface through the steering wheel.
