Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speed...revisited

[Pupwa]

Ok, Live With it?

Hey Pitbull,
Before the 4-runner, 93 Dodge Dually cummins, we still have it and it still shakes and shimmies. I drove it almost every day for 11 yrs. Just my luck I buy another truck with a anoying vibration and a stinky butt to boot. But I really wanted a 4-runner, go figure.

thanks for the imput, later, Pupwa

 

[Kanab]

Re: Ok, Live With it?

Hey Pitbull,
Before the 4-runner, 93 Dodge Dually cummins, we still have it and it still shakes and shimmies. I drove it almost every day for 11 yrs. Just my luck I buy another truck with a anoying vibration and a stinky butt to boot. But I really wanted a 4-runner, go figure.

thanks for the imput, later, Pupwa

Pupwa, I loved my Cummins going to get another some day. I feel and Toyota/Lexus says that this feeling you get with the 4runner/GX470 is a harmonic, I've had mine for 6 months now and don't really notice it. Compared to driving my dually it is smooth as silk. Also since this is common with the 4runners and the GX470's it must be a design issue. Lexus has a tsb to try and fix this with the GX470, it has not been that successful. The fix has to due with bushing that isolate the steering so the harmonic is eliminated.

 

[Kanab]

I haven't logged on in a while, because this issue wore me out. I lost arbitration and suspect Toyota will never fix the problem. I just live with it now, but every other aspect of the 4 runner I feel is great with the exception of that stupid plastic piece on the skid plate that covers the oil plug. I had to replace mine and couldn't believe it cost $17 at the dealership?!? I know that sounds petty, but duct tape would do a better job protecting that area. Does anyone know of a replacement alloy or steel cover? In addition, this VVTI thing on the 05s has got me a bit cranky as well. Also, I've been towing a lot and the 15 K maintenance list says I should replace transfer case and differential oil. What's everyone think?

I would have the diff and transfer case fluid changed at 15K miles if you tow. I will have my diffs changed at 15K even though I don't tow. I will do the transfer case at 30K miles. But I don't tow.

 

[fslaugts]

Vibration

I test drove a new 04 V8 Today. I noticed the vibration in the steering at about 60mph. It bothered me, I pointed it out to the salesman. He acted like he didn't hear me. Then I came home and noticed this forum. So I really like the 4 runner, should I keep looking until I find one that doesn't vibrate? The light in the dash was on that said my air pressure was low, could that of been the problem? I really, really like the 4 runner otherwise. I mean it wasn't that bad of a shake, but it was definetly something noticable.

 

[slowginjoe]

i had a pretty bad vibration around 60mph as well. i had the tires rebalanced and it went away.

 

[Outback Paul]

This is wierd but it's been cold here and my steering wheel doesn't vibrate anymore. I'm sure it will start again around 37k miles.

 

[Kanab]

This is wierd but it's been cold here and my steering wheel doesn't vibrate anymore. I'm sure it will start again around 37k miles.

Could be that the cold weather is lowering your air pressure in your tires and changing your ride/handling.

 

[Jim_Chow]

By any chance could you guys post the brand/model of tire used when the vibration was experienced?

 

[Cliff s]

I think I have figured out where the vibration you feel in the steering
wheel comes from.

This is not a tire balance issue.

The way the exhaust system is designed there is a rather long pipe run
from the converters to the muffler. Under acceleration there is a resonance
in the exhaust system, since the motor and the front axle are tied to the
same cross member(where the steering box is mounted) the vibration
from this resonance is transmitted into the steering wheel.

I would just bet that if the position where the pipes join was moved the
vibration would disappear.

Cliff s

 

[Michigan_t4r]

I think I have figured out where the vibration you feel in the steering
wheel comes from.

This is not a tire balance issue.

The way the exhaust system is designed there is a rather long pipe run
from the converters to the muffler. Under acceleration there is a resonance
in the exhaust system, since the motor and the front axle are tied to the
same cross member(where the steering box is mounted) the vibration
from this resonance is transmitted into the steering wheel.

I would just bet that if the position where the pipes join was moved the
vibration would disappear.

Cliff s

Maybe the guys with the aftermarket exhausts can chime in. Does anyone with an aftermarket exhaust have the dreaded "steering wheel vibration" problem?

 

[scott78945]

If it was the exhaust, then wouldn't they all do it? I guess the question I am asking is that if I test drive an 05 V8 and it doesn't do it I should be ok? I have read the whole thread and I see that it also happens when people are going 20mph, 30mph, and so on. Is this true of everyone? The dealership that I will be going to isn't near a highway and I can't really go 60mph in a residential area. Is there any other way of finding out if a particular truck will have this problem?

 

[Chenango21]

steering vibration

Ack.....just got the steering vibration on my v8 4runner. Happens at around 70mph.

I see this forum just faded away. Anyone have an update on the issue?

 

[Outback Paul]

I bought my '04 4Runner at the end of March 2004 and experienced vibration for a couple of months and then it went away until just recently it's started back up again in the morning's. I sure wished they would come up with a TSB on this.

 

[loner]

I do not have this vibration (knock on wood), but I ran across this TSB and thought it may be an answer for some people.


ST001-05 Steering - 'Flutter' at Highway Speeds
It applies to 03-05 4Runners


The TSB is 25 pages long and deals with tire problems (Dunlops develop flat spots) and adjusting the steering gear box and adding a different steering wheel (perhaps heavier to lessen vibration?)

 

[Cougar]

Thai posted this comment from another user:

The Issue on hand is some kind of rhythmic cycling sound .. as opposed to a constant drone when accelerating. I only hear it when accelerating slowly or applying gas between 70-80mph. It is not loud and it goes away when I lift my foot off the accelerator."

I am having this same rythmic cycling sound. It is always at 70mph or if I downshift in 4, it appears around 55. It goes away as soon as I lift the accelerator ever so slightly. This is not a vibration as I cannot feel it in the steering wheel. It is very annoying as I drive long distances with my job...the noise can almost hypnotise you.

I am taking my 2003 V8 Sport in tomorrow for an oil change. I will see what I can find out.

 

[biglatka]

Thai posted this comment from another user:

The Issue on hand is some kind of rhythmic cycling sound .. as opposed to a constant drone when accelerating. I only hear it when accelerating slowly or applying gas between 70-80mph. It is not loud and it goes away when I lift my foot off the accelerator."

I am having this same rythmic cycling sound. It is always at 70mph or if I downshift in 4, it appears around 55. It goes away as soon as I lift the accelerator ever so slightly. This is not a vibration as I cannot feel it in the steering wheel. It is very annoying as I drive long distances with my job...the noise can almost hypnotise you.

I am taking my 2003 V8 Sport in tomorrow for an oil change. I will see what I can find out.

I have the same problem. Did you meet with any success at the dealer?
Thanks

 

[Cougar]

I took it into the dealer to get my oil changed, and I mentioned the noise to the service manager. He said he hasn't heard that particular problem but he's heard the vibration problem before.

They were very busy that day and he told me that he would document this on my service log and I would have to schedule another time to come in and address the issue. The good news was the oil change took a lot longer because they were so busy, he didn't charge me for it.

2003 V8 Sport
Galatic Grey
72,000 miles
Revo Tires

 

[biglatka]

I took it into the dealer to get my oil changed, and I mentioned the noise to the service manager. He said he hasn't heard that particular problem but he's heard the vibration problem before.

They were very busy that day and he told me that he would document this on my service log and I would have to schedule another time to come in and address the issue.

I'm going to make an appointment next week sometime for an oil change and I'll bring it up then with the service manager. I have a feeling that this is going to end up like the seat rattle (driver's) I have. Nothing will be fixed, nor do I really want them to try for fear they may screw up and otherwise great vehicle. At the very least I'll get the issue documented in case this develops into something worse.

 

[jpless]

with my stock wrangler rt/s i experienced vibration at high speeds. I then purchased new tires (Revos) and made sure I went to a dealer with the correct balancing machine and the problem went away. I dont know if it was the new tires or the balancing that made the difference but I'm assuming its the balancing.

 

[biglatka]

with my stock wrangler rt/s i experienced vibration at high speeds. I then purchased new tires (Revos) and made sure I went to a dealer with the correct balancing machine and the problem went away. I dont know if it was the new tires or the balancing that made the difference but I'm assuming its the balancing.

The thing is that if I take my foot off the gas at 75 or rolling (coasting) down hill at that speed, it feels perfectly fine with no vibration. I would think if it was tire, alignment, or balance related it would vibrate under any condition at a certain speed.