Do any KDSS (or susp. upgraded) owners have steering wheel vibration? Please Respond!
- Thread starter pumacat24
- Start date
Not sure if I'm having the same issue or not but sounds very similar. 2018 off-road w/KDSS, stock was fine. Lifted with 33s and there is a vibration around the 50-60mph range but it comes and goes. It seems to be there after the vehicle has sat for a bit, and then goes away after I've taken a couple of decent corners at highway speeds that load up the suspension. Leaving my house and onto a hwy to head into town I climb up a hill and it is pretty consistently there when I accelerate to over 50, but then there are two sweeping corners that if I take at close to 60, the vibration will settle down, often to the point of being completely gone.
wcjeep
Member
2018 ORP with kdss. Completely stock. Zero vibration. Now at 8k miles.
Does your vibration feel tire induced? Not all tires are the same. Not all tires are round. Have you considered temporary use of Equal Balance Bead for test purposes? Removal of driveshaft? Flir imaging for unusual heat spots?
Does your vibration feel tire induced? Not all tires are the same. Not all tires are round. Have you considered temporary use of Equal Balance Bead for test purposes? Removal of driveshaft? Flir imaging for unusual heat spots?
nglayton
Senior Member
2011 TE with KDSS, zero vibration on the stock tires.
When the stockies wore out, I replaced them with KO2's a size larger (275's) on the TRD PRO wheels. Still zero vibration and it was cheap @$$ Costco that did did all the work. (no ALIGNMENT)
10K give or take miles later I added a lift, (got it aligned then) still no vibrations before or after.
It did wander at highways speeds like a lost dog, until I had it aligned after the lift.
When the stockies wore out, I replaced them with KO2's a size larger (275's) on the TRD PRO wheels. Still zero vibration and it was cheap @$$ Costco that did did all the work. (no ALIGNMENT)
10K give or take miles later I added a lift, (got it aligned then) still no vibrations before or after.
It did wander at highways speeds like a lost dog, until I had it aligned after the lift.
4runnin4mylife
New member
2016 Trail w/ KDSS
No wheel vibration what so ever with a few different setups over the years.
Three different suspensions: Stock, bilstein 5100's @ 2.5" with rear spacer and stock UCA's, and now Icon Stage 2 with JBA UCA's.
3 different tire sizes and load ratings: Factory 265's, BFG 275 E-rated, BFG 285 C-rated.
Factory weight and weight added: Factory ride and 150 lbs up front consisting of bumper, winch, air comp. etc.
Hope this helps and good luck!
If the vibration was that bad where it put me through all it has with you, I would take up the guy at the dealership and just get in a new one and not look back. Seems like the best option to just put this all behind you. Not to mention the extra time and less stress you will have!
No wheel vibration what so ever with a few different setups over the years.
Three different suspensions: Stock, bilstein 5100's @ 2.5" with rear spacer and stock UCA's, and now Icon Stage 2 with JBA UCA's.
3 different tire sizes and load ratings: Factory 265's, BFG 275 E-rated, BFG 285 C-rated.
Factory weight and weight added: Factory ride and 150 lbs up front consisting of bumper, winch, air comp. etc.
Hope this helps and good luck!
If the vibration was that bad where it put me through all it has with you, I would take up the guy at the dealership and just get in a new one and not look back. Seems like the best option to just put this all behind you. Not to mention the extra time and less stress you will have!
progress4m
Member
To OP:
Just as another thought: can you ask the dealer that have your truck to swap the wheels and tires from another 4Runner that is definitely vibration free… like that TRD Pro you drove? As this will completely remove wheels\tires as a culprit.
When I had my 4th gen, one of the OEM wheels would cause slight steering wheel vibration, and it was the wheel not the tire… took me around a year and two sets of tires to figure that out, wheel would balance with no issue and had no damage… go figure…
Also, to add to my first response, when I did my lift I kept stock UCA so my caster is not optimal, but 4Runner is still buttery-smooth and tracks straight.
Just as another thought: can you ask the dealer that have your truck to swap the wheels and tires from another 4Runner that is definitely vibration free… like that TRD Pro you drove? As this will completely remove wheels\tires as a culprit.
When I had my 4th gen, one of the OEM wheels would cause slight steering wheel vibration, and it was the wheel not the tire… took me around a year and two sets of tires to figure that out, wheel would balance with no issue and had no damage… go figure…
Also, to add to my first response, when I did my lift I kept stock UCA so my caster is not optimal, but 4Runner is still buttery-smooth and tracks straight.
borfoo3
New member
2015 with KDSS here. No real vibration issues in general. I did have a few temporary instances of vibration every now and then for different reasons. Here's what to look for:
1. Wheels/ tires, brakes and bearings: could be defective, unbalanced, or worn out. Unlikely at low mileage, but worth looking into. Bad rotors or brake pads can also cause vibration, especially while braking. IMO 90% of vibration issues are somewhere here
2. UCA/ LCA bushings: my LCA bushings wore out at 70k km. it did start some vibration for some time, followed by occasional 'clunks'. You can replace the OEM bushings without swapping the whole LCA, but Toyota will not tell you this
3. Suspension issue: Again, unlikely at low mileage. A horribly worn out or blown damper/ spring will feel like you're driving a bouncy sponge. Visually inspect the shocks for leaks.
4. Alignment: Needs to be DONE RIGHT by someone who knows what they're doing. A bad wheel alignment can cause vibration or it pulls to the sides. Hitting a curb, offroad use...etc. can throw off the wheel alignment
Good luck!
1. Wheels/ tires, brakes and bearings: could be defective, unbalanced, or worn out. Unlikely at low mileage, but worth looking into. Bad rotors or brake pads can also cause vibration, especially while braking. IMO 90% of vibration issues are somewhere here
2. UCA/ LCA bushings: my LCA bushings wore out at 70k km. it did start some vibration for some time, followed by occasional 'clunks'. You can replace the OEM bushings without swapping the whole LCA, but Toyota will not tell you this
3. Suspension issue: Again, unlikely at low mileage. A horribly worn out or blown damper/ spring will feel like you're driving a bouncy sponge. Visually inspect the shocks for leaks.
4. Alignment: Needs to be DONE RIGHT by someone who knows what they're doing. A bad wheel alignment can cause vibration or it pulls to the sides. Hitting a curb, offroad use...etc. can throw off the wheel alignment
Good luck!
pumacat24
New member
TRUE!... but if they can FINALLY find a fix for it, then it would help countless others!
pumacat24
New member
My local dealership already did this.
They put wheels/tires from 4runner that had no vibrations and mine still had it.
They also took my wheels/tires and put it on the 4runner that had no vibration and it was still as smooth as butter.
Therefore, 100% verified to not be the wheels/tires.
Thanks!
pumacat24
New member
As far as I know, they have not removed the driveshaft.
I hear ya on the tire issue, but it's been 100% verified that it's not my wheels and tires because they put them on another 4runner and the steering wheel did not vibrate at all.
This will be something to discuss with the Toyota NA Tech next week.
2016 Trail Premium with KDSS, no lift. I have the same vibration issue that OP as well as many other have. KDSS does not matter with this issue.
My issue started early on when I bought the truck. Within the first year, I had taken it in multiple times for balancing. Finally they put on Michelin Defenders LTX M/S and sent it to the regional tech for a few days(they have a shop near my house). The issue has been better since then(not completely gone).
Just bought TRD Pro wheels and put on Falken Wildpeaks. Vibration is back! Not sure what to do now. Not sure why some trucks have it and others don't. I just wish there was a consensus fix!
My issue started early on when I bought the truck. Within the first year, I had taken it in multiple times for balancing. Finally they put on Michelin Defenders LTX M/S and sent it to the regional tech for a few days(they have a shop near my house). The issue has been better since then(not completely gone).
Just bought TRD Pro wheels and put on Falken Wildpeaks. Vibration is back! Not sure what to do now. Not sure why some trucks have it and others don't. I just wish there was a consensus fix!
If you get Toyota to find the problem and come up with a fix for us, I will send you a bottle of your favorite beverage.
Hans Moleman
New member
To get get the perfect balance and zero vibration the follwing steps must be taken:
1. Haweka adapter to get the proper centering. If you see a tire tech that keeps chasing weights then the tire is not properly centered on the balancer.
2. Road forcing balancing. 10lbs or less of road force is a must to get zero vibration. If you get high road force readings, the tire must be indexed on the wheel to get the lowest road force or the tire may need to be replaced. The default road force limit is 25lbs for p-metric tires on the Hunter GSP9700, but a lot of lazy techs don't bother to index the tires as long as it's anywhere under 25lbs.
Some people do get lucky and have zero vibrations without the Haweka adapter and getting a regular tire balance because their tires are pefectly round and have consistent stiffness which equates to low road force numbers.
I had to get one of my tires replaced 3 times until they found a good one. I would say I'm one of the unlucky ones.
Hopefully someone can implement the Lexus steering rack TSB into the T4R to make it less sensitive to not so perfect tires.
After researching tires, it seems like all of the popular tires like Falken Wildpeaks, BFG KO2, Goodyear Duratracs, have a lot of complaints about vibration and balancing. The Nitto Ridge Grapplers seems to have the least issues.
1. Haweka adapter to get the proper centering. If you see a tire tech that keeps chasing weights then the tire is not properly centered on the balancer.
2. Road forcing balancing. 10lbs or less of road force is a must to get zero vibration. If you get high road force readings, the tire must be indexed on the wheel to get the lowest road force or the tire may need to be replaced. The default road force limit is 25lbs for p-metric tires on the Hunter GSP9700, but a lot of lazy techs don't bother to index the tires as long as it's anywhere under 25lbs.
Some people do get lucky and have zero vibrations without the Haweka adapter and getting a regular tire balance because their tires are pefectly round and have consistent stiffness which equates to low road force numbers.
I had to get one of my tires replaced 3 times until they found a good one. I would say I'm one of the unlucky ones.
Hopefully someone can implement the Lexus steering rack TSB into the T4R to make it less sensitive to not so perfect tires.
After researching tires, it seems like all of the popular tires like Falken Wildpeaks, BFG KO2, Goodyear Duratracs, have a lot of complaints about vibration and balancing. The Nitto Ridge Grapplers seems to have the least issues.
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LimeLED
New member
Ditto!
I have a 2018 ORP with KDSS with stock suspension and tires. Extensive tire balancing mostly resolved it.
TrailHeadWorthy
New member
2018 Offroad KDSS KO2 10K
No vibration issues but my alignment sucks from day 1. Vehicles pulls to the right. Had my tires balanced several times at Discount Tire and 3 Alignments done by the dealer. No Fix.
Any suggestions?
No vibration issues but my alignment sucks from day 1. Vehicles pulls to the right. Had my tires balanced several times at Discount Tire and 3 Alignments done by the dealer. No Fix.
Any suggestions?
rageandlove
Member
I had a 2017 TRD Premium with KDSS. Had vibration from day 1. Not bad at the beginning, but always there at speed. At 5k I had the tires rotated and it got much worse. Also got worse in cold weather, somewhat. Hence, I think it’s a wheel/tire problem, nothing else.
Traded it in for a 2019 TRD Pro. No vibration.
I don’t think it has anything to do with KDSS, it’s all to do with wheels and tires.
Traded it in for a 2019 TRD Pro. No vibration.
I don’t think it has anything to do with KDSS, it’s all to do with wheels and tires.
wcjeep
Member
On my offroad Jeep finally had to use Equal Tire Balance Beads. The tires were the problem. Unknown if its necessary for Toyotas. Some 3/4ton trucks and bigger use Centramatic Tire Balance. Again, not sure if they make a Toyota application. Also unknown if Equal Tire Balance Beads are compatible with Tire Sensors. My Jeep has no such amenities.
Jivewalker
Member
Maybe your issue is in the steering rack. Check out L-SB-0020-12. someone posted on this forum that this could be the same issue we see in the 4R's and is related to the steering rack preload spring.
I have 176,000 with no vibration. I'm on my 3rd set of tires. When second set was installed by a local tire shop, I got vibration which they could not fix. Went to the dealer and paid for a road force balance and it was gone. Had dealer install 3rd set of tires with roadforce and no vibration.
I have 176,000 with no vibration. I'm on my 3rd set of tires. When second set was installed by a local tire shop, I got vibration which they could not fix. Went to the dealer and paid for a road force balance and it was gone. Had dealer install 3rd set of tires with roadforce and no vibration.
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