Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speed...revisited

I have a 1999 4runner limited which exhibits the exact same problems as outlined in the TSB
ST001-05 Steering - 'Flutter' at Highway Speeds- read "Serious Vibration"
Although this is supposed to cover different year models, does anyone know of a similar TSB for '99 models ???
or anyone encounter similar problem with there 99???
Ive had numerous balances, tyre changes, steering gear bushing replacement, alignment with no luck.
Also has anyone changed the steering gear themselves? if so with oem or replacement?
thanks in advance
 
Just reporting in to keep this thread alive. I have had 3 Toyota 4Runners from the 4th generation. All V8s. First two did not have this harmonic issue but this last one I bought does. 2006 V8 Sport 4x4. It has only 400 miles currently and the issue is obvious. Got the local shop foreman to drive the vehicle with me and he definitely notices it. Even after mentioning the Lexus problems and the fix he acts as if it is an exhaust issue, which I do not believe. I am going to take in the Lexus TSB and part numbers and pressure them to fix this. We have bought close to 10 new vehicles from this dealer...maybe threatening to never return and spread the news locally will help my case. Maybe not, but I feel Toyota Corp does not care about this issue for us owners. Just wanted to chime in and let you guys know the issue is still here.
 
I visited my dealer this week to have them look at my drivers seat(that's another thread) and to have them address the steering vibration. I mentioned reading here about a long TSB on the issue. The service writer told me later that they had found the TSB but the problem was only with Dunlop tires made in the U.S., not Japan. This sounded a little hokey to me.

Has anyone actually seen the TSB that is mentioned earlier. Does it specify a difference between Japanese made and U.S. made Dunlops???
 
Well, here's an '07 with the problem. Well, at least a similar one. I get a very SLIGHT vibration in the steering wheel at around 65-70. And I mean very slight - almost a slight "buzzing" in the wheel. I can also hear a low-pitched harmonic driveline "beat" at around that speed when under throttle (nothing while coasting). It doesn't exist below that speed range or above it.

You know, I have access to the parts for the Lexus TSB, and I might just go ahead and do that modification to see if it makes any difference...
 
Okay...well, I did it. Talk about too much free time and flushing money down the toilet :D

Anyway, I know a bunch of guys at a dealership so we pulled my 07 4Runner in and did the Lexus GX470 TSB on it. Parts cost was around $700. It took about an hour and a half to accomplish (including time to just BS around). And yes, all the Lexus parts fit and work just fine.

The verdict? It works. The vibration and noise is not 100% eliminated, but I'd say better than 95% of it is gone. Enough so that only someone who is SERIOUSLY picky (I mean beyond engineering picky - and I'm an engineer) would say anything about it now. It certainly isn't at all annoying anymore.

So, just to let everyone know in case they want to venture off and do this themselves as well.
 
So, you got new control arms too (in addition to driveshaft)??? $700 is awefully cheap for driveshaft, control arms (among other minor things), and labor.
 
Is this "exhuast system resonance" and steering vibrate the reason why my T4R pulls left/right at speeds over 65MPH and I have to constantly adjust my steering at these high speeds? I also felt that steering wheel shake for the first 500 miles. Not as bad as my '01 Camry...geez!

I think the LC Prado's were recalled due to a faulty steering ball joint. The Tundra/Seq. was also recalled for the same thing in mid-Jan 2007. Maybe we share the same steering components with the Seq./Tundra/LC-P/4Runner/GX. Someone check the part numbers.
 
Labor was free - remember, these are guys I know at the shop. We did it as a bit of a "project." The $700 or so was for parts alone (I got a discount from MSRP on the parts). And control arms are not part of the TSB for vibration (I believe those are required for the "fix" involving the thump from the rear driveline bind/release phenomenon). This is just for the driveline resonance "drone" and steering wheel vibration issue.

The Lexus parts involved were:

41196
 
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I just heard from my dealer concerning the steering wheel vibration. The so-called "tech rep." sent from Toyota said that even though there is a vibration, since the technicians at the dealership (they also said that there was a vibration) could not find any part that was damaged or broken and could not locate source of vibration, the warranty would not cover any repairs! I called the warranty people and they claimed that due to my production date (04/04) the Lexus TSB improvement has already been incorporated to my truck so the Lexus upgrade would be redundant. When asked for a technical/engineering reason for the vibration that was replicated by the tech, warranty said that they only deal with warranty coverages stated by Toyota. They did say that if I go to an independent auto shop and they contact Toyo warranty resolving the vibration issue with a fix, Toyota warranty will pay for the repair. I would even settle for a technical explination as to why there is a vibration!
:awais: :bash:
 
Steering Flutter

I have an intermittent flutter at highway speeds which is very disconcerting. I define a flutter as the steerin wheel going back and forth a half inch or more. I have replaced tires, aligned it, balanced the tires, rebalanced the tires with a flange plate. Road Force balanced the tires (all under 15). Had the rack inspected-- no problem.
Now with the st005-05 TSB in hand I talked to my mechanic and asked if he could do the fix which involves replacing a spring in the power steering rack control valve. The part is $2.00 and the shop time is 3.3 hours. He said he only replaces steering racks and does not service them. I took it to the alignment shop and got the same story, but they used the excuse that they did not have the specialized tools to do the job. I called the dealer and asked if they could do the TSB fix since they have the tools and they gave me the same answer as the mechanic. I went to another dealer and they gave me the same story. They would not put a repaired rack on the road.
The rack at the dealer is $1000 for parts. An aftermarket or rebuilt one can be had for $500. The upshot is that if I want this fixed I better be willing to shell out big bucks. The TSB which noone will do is $200.
 
Steering Flutter

I have an intermittent flutter at highway speeds which is very disconcerting. I define a flutter as the steerin wheel going back and forth a half inch or more. I have replaced tires, aligned it, balanced the tires, rebalanced the tires with a flange plate. Road Force balanced the tires (all under 15). Had the rack inspected-- no problem.
Now with the st005-05 TSB in hand I talked to my mechanic and asked if he could do the fix which involves replacing a spring in the power steering rack control valve. The part is $2.00 and the shop time is 3.3 hours. He said he only replaces steering racks and does not service them. I took it to the alignment shop and got the same story, but they used the excuse that they did not have the specialized tools to do the job. I called the dealer and asked if they could do the TSB fix since they have the tools and they gave me the same answer as the mechanic. I went to another dealer and they gave me the same story. They would not put a repaired rack on the road.
The rack at the dealer is $1000 for parts. An aftermarket or rebuilt one can be had for $500. The upshot is that if I want this fixed I better be willing to shell out big bucks. The TSB which noone will do is $200.
 
Could you call Toyota Corporate and ask them who in your area CAN perform this TSB? If they say the dealership, tell them they've refused. Maybe Toyota Corporate can influence them to perform the duties as assigned by the company.
 
SO I've read through this, and I'm still a bit confused. IS the Lexus TSB accepted for the 4runner? i do have this issue in my 04. The last owner excellent care of this truck, but he didn't mention the ass sulfer smell or this wicked vibration in the steering column. I have the TSB for the sulfer smell, but does anybody have the TSB for this? I highly doubt I'll find a dealer that will perform both...I might have to shop around, although from the tone in this thread...it sounds like I might have to live with the vibration.
 
hey guys!i have a problem when i go 65mph or higher my steering wheel starts to vibrate a little. There can be so many problems to it one is balancing of tires and i read on the forum it can be others. One mechanic said it can be the thyroid on the tire. what exactly is the problem in my situation?
 
follow up re my vibration problem

It has been a while since I solved my prolblem, but thought I'd follow up on what was the source of my vibration:

Found lots of mud and gunk caked underneath the vehicle....I had done some nasty off road stuff for a real estate project.....had to power wash it clean and voila, problem solved.

Doesn't sound like this is common solution to others problems, but can't hurt to let folks know what mine was.
 
has anyone done a wheel alignment yet for their 4 runner? is it necessary, if so how many miles? i have a 04 with 21,000 miles on it. how much does it usually cost for a wheel alignment on the 4Runner? thanks!
 
So I'm reading that TSB ST001R-05 was supposed to address this issue (a few different solutions...one dealing with a valve in the steering rack, I believe). I'd assume this has been superceded. Does anyone have access to the full version of this TSB or a newer version of it?

I fear my brand new 08 may have this issue.

Also, is it really that pervasive? I would think such a problem would be even more pronounced on a lifted T4R with larger tires...which there are LOTS of out there.
 
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