Steering wheel shake at 50 - 60 MPH.
- Thread starter PopsSmurf
- Start date
At that speed its almost always a balance issue. Depending on the order in which you got new tires and balanced them and got your lift if could have changed how you sit on your tires even if you got it aligned. I'd see if you can find a place that will check your balance and not just re-balance them to see if that was the issue before you do anything.
I cant believe this is still problem after 10 years of this model. This has been going on since 2010 folks. Its not the tires, suspension, or any theory you guys came up with... its the design of the steering.. its upsetting that toyota just left that shit alone after all these years
RichinRidgewood
New member
No vibration either through the steering wheel or through the truck body.
It's been going on since Toyota switched to steering racks on their trucks and SUVs. So '95 with the introduction of the Tacoma, then the 4Runner in '96.
Steering racks are more sensitive to any tire uniformity or wheel run-out issue. Trucks and SUVs have bigger, heavier tires than cars, so any tire uniformity or wheel run-out issue is more likely to be felt.
The upside to using steering racks is that the steering is more precise than the old recirculating ball systems.
So it generally IS a tire or wheel issue. Of course if we're talking an old vehicle with worn chassis components (ball joints, tie-rods, etc.) that can contribute to uniformity/run-out issues being more readily felt.
Some tire manufacturers just do a better job building round tires. I avoid the ones that have a hard time doing that. Having a competent tech installing and balancing the tires also helps.
Nuke
New member
I've owned 2nd thru 5th gen 4Runners and they all have been a royal PITA to have balanced correctly. It seems the wheels are (were?) lug centric as opposed to hub centric, the later of which will give you a good balance on most any spin balancer. Lug centric wheels tend to require an adapter and most shops don't use them because it takes time. I had a shop do a spin balance, then had them rotate the wheel about 90 degrees on the shaft of the machine and then re-spin it. It was way off.
A shop that has a RoadForce balancer is your next best bet after a COMPETENT Toyota dealer.
A shop that has a RoadForce balancer is your next best bet after a COMPETENT Toyota dealer.
When you say trucks and SUV's does this apply to other makes and models? I have no experience with other makes but am curious whether truck/suv drivers just accept this as normal truck behavior?
ryguytheman
Member
That small of a difference probably isn't contributing much. Over 5, then yes. In my experience.
Of course. But not all Trucks or SUVs use a steering rack.
It's not a steering rack issue. The steering rack design is just more sensitive to any imbalance, run-out, or uniformity issue.
Salvo Jimmy
Member
In addition to the causes noted above, I recall a TSB that said improperly torqued lug nut could cause the vibration
i had this problem for a very long period of time across several sets of tires. I've found the following to be true both with my truck and following others here on the forum:
- Tires You not only need a set that requires little weight to balance, but they must be roadforce balanced properly by someone who cares/knows what they are doing. The heavier and wider the tire, the more this matters.
- Control arm bushings If they are worn or have any play at all, the best roadforce balance is not going to solve your problems. I had some vibration issues from new and after 10,000 miles issue truly became a problem. several sets of tires, different wheels, and a ton of road force balances later, I thought my LCAs may have been the problem. One set of dirt king LCAs with delrin bushings later, my problem is 100% GONE.
- Tires You not only need a set that requires little weight to balance, but they must be roadforce balanced properly by someone who cares/knows what they are doing. The heavier and wider the tire, the more this matters.
- Control arm bushings If they are worn or have any play at all, the best roadforce balance is not going to solve your problems. I had some vibration issues from new and after 10,000 miles issue truly became a problem. several sets of tires, different wheels, and a ton of road force balances later, I thought my LCAs may have been the problem. One set of dirt king LCAs with delrin bushings later, my problem is 100% GONE.
progress4m
Member
TO OP: IMHO- I will bet on tires... below is part of my reply to another thread regarding Falken (A/T3W):
"... had the issue with balance... even with multiple attempts (all including road force) they still had "jitter"... I went back to Nitto's AT2 - and got my 4Runner back- smooth as glass. Interestingly, one of my wheels with Nitto did not require any weight at ALL during balancing... and that is impressive for any AT tire in my book!
I guess there is a reason for Falken AT tire (A/T3W) being so cheap... and looks like old saying "you get what you pay" is true... at least in my case."
"... had the issue with balance... even with multiple attempts (all including road force) they still had "jitter"... I went back to Nitto's AT2 - and got my 4Runner back- smooth as glass. Interestingly, one of my wheels with Nitto did not require any weight at ALL during balancing... and that is impressive for any AT tire in my book!
I guess there is a reason for Falken AT tire (A/T3W) being so cheap... and looks like old saying "you get what you pay" is true... at least in my case."
mryanhoffman
New member
this is great to hear. I've been battling same issue w/ my 2016 4 Runner. had a slight shimy at 60mph but thought it was just the new tires they put on. I've since had re balanced 3 times at Big O' Tires. Going to a discount tire on Wednesday. Anything specific I should ask for?
Ask for road force balancing if possible.
I have to ask out of curiosity. What tires are you running (if they are AT3Ws, ugh)?
mryanhoffman
New member
The dealer put on cheap ones when I bought it. Geo Tour's 265/170/R17. So also not sure if its just from the cheap tire???
Jbellah
New member
I have a 2019 TRD PRO and I didn't really notice a shake till I put my spacer lift on and the spidertrax 1.25 wheel spacer. It seems like when you start modding they need to be balanced a certain way and most dont know how to do it.
Like someone mentioned before its really noticeable at first then after driving awhile it goes away. Mine shakes at about 50mph till I hit about 70mph. I took it to discount and they said I had some wear in the inside to the middle of the tire.They did the road force and that didn't really help much. I was tired of the shake and since they had wear in them I got new tires. I went with 285/70 geolanders and still have a little bit of a shake. Im thinking that discount really doesn't take the time or something because it looks like we all go there and most of us the problem isn't resolved. They are in such a hurry they ripped my old weights off and the glue is left on now looks like shit. Whats an easy way to get that crap off?
Like someone mentioned before its really noticeable at first then after driving awhile it goes away. Mine shakes at about 50mph till I hit about 70mph. I took it to discount and they said I had some wear in the inside to the middle of the tire.They did the road force and that didn't really help much. I was tired of the shake and since they had wear in them I got new tires. I went with 285/70 geolanders and still have a little bit of a shake. Im thinking that discount really doesn't take the time or something because it looks like we all go there and most of us the problem isn't resolved. They are in such a hurry they ripped my old weights off and the glue is left on now looks like shit. Whats an easy way to get that crap off?
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Inspect the wear on the tires. If you’ve got feathered edge, then your toe alignment is off. The feathered edge will cause pulse.
How many miles on the shock absorbers? OEM shock absorbers got out at about 80K to 100K and will have the tires jumping at highway speeds.
Worn Bushings on the Upper and Lower Control arms, but we have 221K on our 2014 and they’re fine. Worn bushings would show up more in the form of wandering steering at highway speed.
How many miles on the shock absorbers? OEM shock absorbers got out at about 80K to 100K and will have the tires jumping at highway speeds.
Worn Bushings on the Upper and Lower Control arms, but we have 221K on our 2014 and they’re fine. Worn bushings would show up more in the form of wandering steering at highway speed.
Bootlegger750
New member
I know this is an older thread, but has anyone tried this? My wife 2019 4Runner the wheel started shaking between 50-65 mph. Found this on some car guru page. If you have slack in the drivers side CV
TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING
Scroll way down to you get to a post by a guy name Levi.
Toyota 4Runner Questions - What will cause a steering wheel shimmy at 60-65mph other than tires, ... - CarGurus
TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING
Scroll way down to you get to a post by a guy name Levi.
Toyota 4Runner Questions - What will cause a steering wheel shimmy at 60-65mph other than tires, ... - CarGurus
I run this ECGS bushing on mine because I was getting cyclical vibes and groaning in 2wd around 30-40 mph, but I suspect that it can't really affect the steering shake. My steering shakes didn't change with the ECGS bushing install. Like most people here, mine shakes a little first drive of the day after truck has sat for a few days and then it's fine once tires warm up.
