Front end shaking

[vtrigger77]

Hi guys i am new to the 4runner world, i traded my 89 bmw for my 2000 4runner base 4cyl auto. So i just had new tires installed 31x10.50/15 and it has a really bad front end shake at 65mph and up. I felt the shake before with the worn out 225/75/15s it had on but i thought it was the tires. Now its worse. I switched the front wheels to the back to see if maybe one was not balanced properly but still feels the same, i don't feel any play on the steering, bearings feel good, i just changed my front brakes so i checked. What could it be guys?

Oh here is a pic

 

[Tomsea999]

Does it vary, or is it consistent? I had a fairly significant shake at 60 mph-70 mph, and was more pronounced at times - a Steering Rack service (bushings) fixed it. Try this thread for DIY - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/44104-replacement-power-steering-rack-bushings.html

 

[JeepKiller]

Sounds like a balancing issue if its not the steering rack. What kind of tires do you have? If it shakes while youre braking too another cause is of warped rotors.

 

[nevada]

needs more balancing.
rather, needs better balancing.

 

[vtrigger77]

No shaking while braking. Just installed new pads and rotors.

 

[vtrigger77]

Yup its balancing. I guess the shop cant get it right

 

[1985taylor1925]

You will never ever ever ever never get rid of the front end vibrations in a 3rd gen. I have spent close to $1000000 on the front end of my 4Runner trying to work out the vibrations, to no avail. I am convinced that the engineers at Toyota actually designed the vibrations into the truck. But, good luck

 

[vtrigger77]

Lol ok thanx

 

[D Farms]

You will never ever ever ever never get rid of the front end vibrations in a 3rd gen. I have spent close to $1000000 on the front end of my 4Runner trying to work out the vibrations, to no avail. I am convinced that the engineers at Toyota actually designed the vibrations into the truck. But, good luck

maybe your truck was in an accident and something got bent. maybe you just have extra slop somewhere, there are a lot of joints that can wear out. have you checked your slip joint yet? also the lower control arm bushings are impossible to inspect without fully taking them apart. it could also be related to your cv shafts.

 

[KidVermicious]

Hi guys i am new to the 4runner world, i traded my 89 bmw for my 2000 4runner base 4cyl auto. So i just had new tires installed 31x10.50/15 and it has a really bad front end shake at 65mph and up. I felt the shake before with the worn out 225/75/15s it had on but i thought it was the tires. Now its worse. I switched the front wheels to the back to see if maybe one was not balanced properly but still feels the same, i don't feel any play on the steering, bearings feel good, i just changed my front brakes so i checked. What could it be guys?

Oh here is a pic

Barring the obvious (bad alignment, bad balancing, bent wheel) it could be tie rod ends, control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, the steering rack itself. It's probably a combination of several of the above - a bad shimmy doesn't happen in a vacuum, and if it does it's bad enough that it's wrecking other shit in short order. If none of those components are obviously defective, you'll have to start replacing stuff on suspicion.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Barring the obvious (bad alignment, bad balancing, bent wheel) it could be tie rod ends, control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, the steering rack itself. It's probably a combination of several of the above - a bad shimmy doesn't happen in a vacuum, and if it does it's bad enough that it's wrecking other shit in short order. If none of those components are obviously defective, you'll have to start replacing stuff on suspicion.

Yup, that's a good synopsis on what to try. Here's what I had to do to get rid of mine:

1. New lower ball joints, didn't help much but did a little.

2. Found play in original inner tie rods, took away about 40% of the shakes.

3. New steering rack guide, took away about 10% of the shakes (only needed for 96-99 models I think, newer models already have the new one).

4. New steering rack bushings (was the hardest job I've ever done) but did nothing.

5. Tire balancing took away about 30% more of the shakes.

6. Sway bar bushings/end links, took away body roll but not the shakes.

The rest is due to my tires being cupped because the previous owner did not fix the sagging suspension. When I drive on dirt the last inch or so of the tread doesn't even touch the ground. Once these tires are done that should eliminate it completely for me.

You just have to diagnose and tackle it one at a time but you can fix it. If the steering wheel shakes a ton but not the seats/vehicle, it's a steering component. If the vehicle shakes (passengers can feel it) it's a tire/balance issue.

 

[pb&j]

How much does it cost to properly balance tires at the toyota dealer ship? will they know that it need road force balancing?

 

[vtrigger77]

I rebalanced the fronts and got better but not 100%. I need to have them balanced with a lug centric adapter not a hub centric.

 

[MStudt]

I rebalanced the fronts and got better but not 100%. I need to have them balanced with a lug centric adapter not a hub centric.

LBJ's! Change them.

I was chasing a front end vibration for months, and it was worn out LBJ's. Plus it's a good piece of mind knowing it's done.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I rebalanced the fronts and got better but not 100%. I need to have them balanced with a lug centric adapter not a hub centric.

Bring the tires to a shop that does Road Force Balancing.

Make sure the lugnuts are properly torqued when reinstalled.

The rest is as the otehrs have posted. If the vibration is still there, start replacing parts with new OEM ones in order of most worn to least worn.

LBJ, OTRE, ITRE, Steering Rack Bushings, LCA bushings, Sway Bar End Links/bushings, Brakes.

Once these trucks are lifted or get oversized tires, it seems it's pretty common to get the 65MPH shake. Mine has it, but it doesn't worry me too much. I know that most of it comes from my tires because they weren't balanced at all (I run Dynabeads in them instead).

I don't tend to take my T4R on the highway much though and mostly drive it in its sweet spot.. 50MPH @1600RPM. Best fuel mileage & smoothest ride.

 

[hambob]

I had the same thing with my 2002. I started with the tires, helped, sway bar bushings, helped, shocks, still shook, an alignment, balanced tires 2 more times with road force machine. It was pretty good but still there a persistent vibration at 65 and up. I gave up. A while later I put 99 springs on for a little lift and no more shakes. Its a dream to drive now.
Good luck