My experience getting Toyota to diagnose steering wheel vibration

[SoFloT4Run]

I have noticed that a lot SR5, TRD Off Roads and TRD Pros are experiencing these problems.

Are there any Limited owners with 20inch wheels experiencing the same steering wheel shimmy issues?

 

[4Rums]

I have noticed that a lot SR5, TRD Off Roads and TRD Pros are experiencing these problems.

Are there any Limited owners with 20inch wheels experiencing the same steering wheel shimmy issues?

I have a 2013 Limited. My experience was that stock wheels and tires were OK. I then added Cooper AT3 in 275/55/20 and got a vibration at around 75 mph. It took a while to balance those tires. The Limited wheels are 7" wide, so those tires are not "approved" for such a narrow wheel. I sold the 20s and switched to the Trail OEM 8-hole wheels and 275/70/17 tires and no vibration at all, even better than stock.

 

[ScoMey]

I have a 2013 Limited. My experience was that stock wheels and tires were OK. I then added Cooper AT3 in 275/55/20 and got a vibration at around 75 mph. It took a while to balance those tires. The Limited wheels are 7" wide, so those tires are not "approved" for such a narrow wheel. I sold the 20s and switched to the Trail OEM 8-hole wheels and 275/70/17 tires and no vibration at all, even better than stock.

Same here... my 2014 Limited with the stock 20" Geolanders had no steering wheel vibes - and I'm super fussy about that kind of stuff, so I would have gotten it addressed if it had.

After switching out to FN's FXPro's, and Cooper A/TW's... I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and vibration free they were. After 40K miles at my last rotation I finally had to have them back for rebalancing - but otherwise they've been smooth since install. FWIW I've been pleased with those tires in this regard.

I'm convinced that lots of places have Hunter Roadforce Balancers... but only a few techs really know how to operate them effectively. Bought my tires from a family owned tire place, and I think they really just know their stuff.

 

[jayhat]

2016 Trail. I got new wheels and tires at about 1500 miles (17x8 Grey Level 8 MK6 0mm offset & 275/70/17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 E rated Tires). Didn't have problems until maybe 4000-5000 miles. Figured they went off balance. Got them rebalanced and had driven up to about 16000 miles without issue. Just the other day I started to notice shimmy again getting on the freeway (at about the 55-65 mark). Not as bad as the first time (at least yet).

 

[renau001]

After hundreds of thousands of miles on this platform, in a couple different vehicles, and having fought balance issues constantly, here's what I can tell you:

The steering system is very sensitive to imbalance, the slightest amount you will feel in the steering wheel.
Tires flat spot - you will always have some amount of vibration until you have 10+ miles at interstate speeds, even on perfectly balanced tires.
Most tire shops don't have cones to properly fit the Toyota 106.1mm wheel bore and do a poor job of balancing.
Aftermarket wheels without a 106.1 center bore need centering rings to get consistent centering on the hub.
Many balancers are out of spec
Most techs doing balances don't do a good job - I have found this to be the most important factor. I have a tech at my local discount tire that is the only one I let balance my tires. He does it perfect every time, even on big, heavy, torn up 305/70/17 MTRs.

Other than getting a very good balance, the only thing that has any hope of improvement is to replace the preload springs in the steering rack, outlined in a Lexus GX460 TSB, which requires removal of the steering rack.

This post needs to be stickies somewhere as the final word on steering wheel vibration on the 5th gen.

 

[Speedracer]

I have this issue with my 18 trd pro with 1900 miles on it.

Some days its more noticeable than others.

Other days it doesnt do it at all. When it doesnt do it its usually warm out. I havent taken it to the dealer yet cause the scratches on my wheels from taking the wheels off and the balancer will probably more than the slight vibration

 

[sooperslow]

It’s most likely the tire balance and steering system sensitivity. I’ve had the same issue on both my ‘97 and ‘16. I’m just happy to know that I have a “normal” 4Runner [emoji106]


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[4Rums]

I'm convinced that lots of places have Hunter Roadforce Balancers... but only a few techs really know how to operate them effectively. Bought my tires from a family owned tire place, and I think they really just know their stuff.

Indeed. I bought my tires from a small family owned place as well. Their balancer is not as advanced as the Road Force. When I asked about it, the old man said he could do a better job with a bubble balancer than most techs at the big chains with the latest equipment - it would just take him a bit longer.

It’s most likely the tire balance and steering system sensitivity. I’ve had the same issue on both my ‘97 and ‘16. I’m just happy to know that I have a “normal” 4Runner

Agreed. These vehicles are super sensitive to balancing. The heavier the tire, the more so.

 

[Vulgarian]

Did their balancing and alignment permanently resolve your vibration? I’m a few hours away from their shop, but might be willing to give them a try.

I've had no pulling, vibration or tire wear issues since these guys have worked on my truck - zero. From my experience, your effort in driving 2-hours definitely won't hurt and may fix your problem. Good luck and bring a lunch because they always spend the time needed - and haven't charged me any extra for it.

 

[flyrv9]

The only advantage Nitrogen has over air, as far as in tires goes, is that it does not support combustion. It's unlikely your 4Runner will experience a brake or tire fire; so it's really an unnecessary up sell. If it's a little more stable; at 40psi the delta would be negligible. It's used extensively in aircraft tires and at much higher pressures than automobile tires. You'll eventually have a mixture of air and Nitrogen over time if you ever have a low tire. But - if you want to spend the $ have at it.

 

[e60ral]

The only advantage Nitrogen has over air, as far as in tires goes, is that it does not support combustion. It's unlikely your 4Runner will experience a brake or tire fire; so it's really an unnecessary up sell. If it's a little more stable; at 40psi the delta would be negligible. It's used extensively in aircraft tires and at much higher pressures than automobile tires. You'll eventually have a mixture of air and Nitrogen over time if you ever have a low tire. But - if you want to spend the $ have at it.

the primary advantage is no water

 

[LimeLED]

I've had no pulling, vibration or tire wear issues since these guys have worked on my truck - zero. From my experience, your effort in driving 2-hours definitely won't hurt and may fix your problem. Good luck and bring a lunch because they always spend the time needed - and haven't charged me any extra for it.

This sounds promising and might be well worth the drive. Thank you.

Is your suspension, wheels, tires, tire size, etc., all stock or modded/aftermarket?

For the balancing, do you know if they use a Hunter Road Force balancer and the Haweka adapter that everyone on here talks about?

 

[Vulgarian]

This sounds promising and might be well worth the drive. Thank you.

Is your suspension, wheels, tires, tire size, etc., all stock or modded/aftermarket?

For the balancing, do you know if they use a Hunter Road Force balancer and the Haweka adapter that everyone on here talks about?

My truck is modded, check my signature. I couldn't tell you what they used besides know-how, some wrenches and tenacity.

 

[SirBarton]

I have a 2015 Trail - TRD Wheels and KO2s. I have had them balanced at 2 different dealers and my local tire shop whom I've used for years. I've only once completely eliminated the steering wheel vibration and that was after a dealer set the pressure at 40 all the way around. It road like a rock, but it didn't vibrate much. I have basically given up on trying to get it right.

 

[SilverTEP]

For my 2016 TEP I got slight wheel vibration on the new 275 KOs at 55-60mph few days after the install. Went to an another Americas Tires (Discount Tires) which had Road Force Balancer, they said the front driver side wheel was def off. They had to take the tire off the rim to fix it.

So the original Americas Tires not only didn't balance one of the tires, they set the pressure 32 PSI, which drove way to soft. The balancing and 40 PSI front 38 PSI back fixed the problem.

 

[Leftseat]

The front ends on the 4Runner and Tacoma are super sensitive. If you have something just slightly out of whack you will definitely know it on these trucks. If you have a vibration and believe it to be cause be the wheels and/or tires, then you should not waste your time by going to a shop with old technology. If your time is as valuable as mine then you should find a shop with the needed Haweka adapter, a GSP-9700, and a technician that has a clue.
The easiest way to find what you need is to go this web site and use their shop locator function to get a list of shops near you that has one. Next call the shops and make sure that they have the Haweka adaptor for your wheels. If they tell you that they do not have it or don’t need it, then hang up and call the next shop. Do not waste your time with them. If they are willing to spend $10,000 on the state of the art road force balancer, and not get a set of Haweka adapters to go with it then they probably are not smart enough to work the machine anyway.
When you find a shop that has both items make an appointment and have them do a road force variation work up and see if you need to replace your wheels or tires and then get a good old-fashioned balance. The combination of the GSP-9700 and the Haweka adaptor should cure the most common cause of vibration in the 4Runners and Tacomas. This combination will give you the greatest chance of getting you vibration problem fixed on the first visit as possible.