Odd Vibration When Driving Over 50 mph

[Lexington]

Hi All

About a month or two ago I started hearing and feeling an unknown vibration when driving over 50 mph. I feel it on the left side of the steering wheel. Its very subtle and I dont really hear it when Im driving straight but when I hit a bend on the freeway or highway (left or right), the vibration becomes noticeable and can hear it humming as well. It vibrates in a rhythmic pattern of 2-3 seconds. When I go straight again the sound goes away and the vibration becomes very subtle again. If I were to guess, I would think it might be the bearings or maybe a bushing is wearing out but I’m not sure. The vehicle is 10 years old.

If anyone has an idea on what may be causing this so I can fix it I would appreciate it.

I should also add that at this time I have no issue with steering or driving and I feel my 4Runner is still safe to drive but the vibration has become slightly more noticeable since I first noticed it. But if left unchecked I feel that might change.

 

[02SE]

From the description it does sound like a wheel bearing is likely failing.

 

[dognick]

This maybe. TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING

 

[Lexington]

This maybe. TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING

Yeah I’ve considered this but I pulled on my axle and it seems pretty firm. There is no play in it.

When I get back home I’m going to get my wheels balanced and aligned just to eliminate this as a cause. While it’s up I’ll have the tire shop try and shake the wheel to see if there is any play in it.

 

[fourrunnerbill]

I would get the tires re balanced but mention the problem so they take that into consideration. I had vibration on a set of tires and that solved it for me.

 

[Lexington]

I would get the tires re balanced but mention the problem so they take that into consideration. I had vibration on a set of tires and that solved it for me.

Yeah that’s my first go to. I actually tried to do that last Friday. I went to Bruce Tires and tried to get an alignment and my tires rebalanced and rotated. However, they told me that my tires are too old and they won’t touch them. They said their store policy says they can’t balance or even rotate tires that are more than 5 years old. What BS! By the way, my tires are 5years and 4 months old. The average life span of a tire is 6-7 years. So they lost my future business. Anyway, I don’t think it’s my tires. Because right now I only notice it when I make a turn at higher speeds. If it was a tire issue it would be vibrating when I’m turn and going straight.

I also checked to see if there is any play in my left axle and it seems to be pretty solid. However I need to lift the front left wheel off the ground and see if there is any play in the wheel.

From the videos I’ve watched on YouTube it seems the needle bearing might be the culprit but I could be a worn bushing but it’s been raining a lot and I just haven’t had time to get underneath and take a look.

 

[ArthurKotb]

I agree that it's probably a wheel bearing but to eliminate tires just rotate front to back and see if the vibration follows. I've had belts break in tires and cause some weird behavior

 

[AuSeeker]

Yeah that’s my first go to. I actually tried to do that last Friday. I went to Bruce Tires and tried to get an alignment and my tires rebalanced and rotated. However, they told me that my tires are too old and they won’t touch them. They said their store policy says they can’t balance or even rotate tires that are more than 5 years old. What BS! By the way, my tires are 5years and 4 months old. The average life span of a tire is 6-7 years. So they lost my future business. Anyway, I don’t think it’s my tires. Because right now I only notice it when I make a turn at higher speeds. If it was a tire issue it would be vibrating when I’m turn and going straight.

I also checked to see if there is any play in my left axle and it seems to be pretty solid. However I need to lift the front left wheel off the ground and see if there is any play in the wheel.

From the videos I’ve watched on YouTube it seems the needle bearing might be the culprit but I could be a worn bushing but it’s been raining a lot and I just haven’t had time to get underneath and take a look.

Not defending the tire store...BUT they would go by the "date code" on the tires showing when the tire was "made" not when it was sold, I'm assuming the the "5 years 4 months" old was from when you purchased the tires not when they were made which would be older.

 

[Lexington]

Not defending the tire store...BUT they would go by the "date code" on the tires showing when the tire was "made" not when it was sold, I'm assuming the the "5 years 4 months" old was from when you purchased the tires not when they were made which would be older.

No that’s the age of the tires and not the purchase date. I know how to read the 4 digit date code on the tires. Anyway, I know you meant well.

That said, someone from the regional office of Bruce Tires call me and said their 5 year rule was for their worker to inspect the tires to make sure they are safe and it was not meant to be a hard cut off for servicing tires.