Steering wheel vibration Poll

[pumacat24]

Yea, still gone so far. I have the 6112s. We are in a bit of a different boat as I was pushing 100K and I'm guessing your '18 doesn't have that many miles. Is it possible that someone could've bumped a curb hard or maybe hit a pot hole? I would lean more towards damage for you vs the wear that that was most likely the culprit for mine. I guess it could be a manufacturing defect /shrug.

Of all the things that could've fixed it for me whether it be the bushings/ball joints in the ucas, the new tires and wheels, the struts, alignment etc I would lean toward the tires. I forget what brand they were but they did have some miles and the person that owned it before me may have never balanced them. My second guess would be the alignment.

Now, that said, if you are trying to justify a lift, I would say a sweet 3/2 lift would certainly correct this issue for you. :thumb3:

I only have 6500 miles. Almost the same symptoms as everyone else, started (or became incredibly noticeable) after rotation at 5k. Got new tires (Michelin Defenders as I've had on my 3rd and 4th gens before), back 3x to dealer, they called Toyota tech center, tried something with alignment and rebalancing, didn't work and now they are blowing me off as it is "a normal characteristic" of the vehicle.

I call total BS on that. I have some more test driving data and info to collect so I can build my case and go talk to the owner of the dealership to see if he is willing to help me.

Test driving a Pro this weekend, bc I test drove 2 brand new TRD OFP just like mine and one of them was SO BAD that if I had test driven that vehicle I would not have bought it.

It's difficult to believe that Toyota would let that slide as a natural characteristic of the vehicle.

I have videos of everything too. I guess we will see.

I just don't want to spend $1500-2k on suspension, UCAs and springs and have it do the same thing.

Would I drop the money the suspension if I knew it would fix it? Yes, because I LOVE my 4Runner and I want to keep it. However, if that did "fix" it, why should i have to pay $2k on top of what I already paid for a brand new car to fix it? Dealer or Toyota should absorb that cost.

Blah, blah, blah, I could go on and on...

Will report back with findings.

 

[Magnetic-T4R]

Maybe a stab in the dark but check this out. So as stated in my earlier post, my vibration in the steering wheel went away after changing out a lot of parts during my lift, however it seems like most people that are having issues are stock and nearly new even. I figured mine went away because the uca bushings and ball joints had 90k on them or because my tires were old etc. I just read another post and the guy has the problem in an almost new 2019 also, so probably not worn parts heh heh.

I'm new to 4runners ( I can tell you all about Jeeps and death wobble), but there is one other thing that was corrected when I lifted my 4runner. You know how these things are going down the road leaning? I read that, and it makes sense, the battery, jack, fuel tank and driver are all on one side. For my 4runner, with a full tank of fuel, I am pushing 500 pounds extra on the driver side. Seems insignificant but maybe this is what has things "tweeked" a bit or out of whack enough to cause steering sensitivity issues and getting these vibrations or wobbles. In theory you have the vehicle aligned with this lean in but were you almost out of fuel when aligned? I know you were out of the vehicle when it was on the rack getting aligned. Now you are full of fuel (180 lbs) and your in the vehicle things just offset and your caster/camber changed....on one side.

After reading about the lean I measured (prior to lift), full tank with me in it (6' 3 250 lbs) vs out of the vehicle and less than 1/8 tank, almost 3/4 inch difference. These have very soft springs, the nose dive was 50% of the reason I wanted to lift. They say to realign with even a one inch ride height change on these. So every time I have a full tank of fuel and get in the vehicle im in the territory of needing an alignment lol.

I went with the Bilstein 6112s and as I'm sure everybody knows they have correction for this built in, for example to get .80 inch lift you set the driver side at the third setting and the passenger at the first setting. No more lean, and for me, no more steering wheel shake. Was that what fixed it? /shrug It says something if aftermarket manufactures are investing in correcting the issue and I don't think its just for aesthetics.

Wanna test it? Run it nearly out of fuel and find your lightest buddy or girl friend and have them take it to the highway solo and see if it changes any maybe it gets better, maybe it goes away, maybe it doesn't change at all.

Again, stab in the dark, trying to help by throwing (possibly crazy) ideas out there lol.

 

[pumacat24]

Maybe a stab in the dark but check this out. So as stated in my earlier post, my vibration in the steering wheel went away after changing out a lot of parts during my lift, however it seems like most people that are having issues are stock and nearly new even. I figured mine went away because the uca bushings and ball joints had 90k on them or because my tires were old etc. I just read another post and the guy has the problem in an almost new 2019 also, so probably not worn parts heh heh.

I'm new to 4runners ( I can tell you all about Jeeps and death wobble), but there is one other thing that was corrected when I lifted my 4runner. You know how these things are going down the road leaning? I read that, and it makes sense, the battery, jack, fuel tank and driver are all on one side. For my 4runner, with a full tank of fuel, I am pushing 500 pounds extra on the driver side. Seems insignificant but maybe this is what has things "tweeked" a bit or out of whack enough to cause steering sensitivity issues and getting these vibrations or wobbles. In theory you have the vehicle aligned with this lean in but were you almost out of fuel when aligned? I know you were out of the vehicle when it was on the rack getting aligned. Now you are full of fuel (180 lbs) and your in the vehicle things just offset and your caster/camber changed....on one side.

After reading about the lean I measured (prior to lift), full tank with me in it (6' 3 250 lbs) vs out of the vehicle and less than 1/8 tank, almost 3/4 inch difference. These have very soft springs, the nose dive was 50% of the reason I wanted to lift. They say to realign with even a one inch ride height change on these. So every time I have a full tank of fuel and get in the vehicle im in the territory of needing an alignment lol.

I went with the Bilstein 6112s and as I'm sure everybody knows they have correction for this built in, for example to get .80 inch lift you set the driver side at the third setting and the passenger at the first setting. No more lean, and for me, no more steering wheel shake. Was that what fixed it? /shrug It says something if aftermarket manufactures are investing in correcting the issue and I don't think its just for aesthetics.

Wanna test it? Run it nearly out of fuel and find your lightest buddy or girl friend and have them take it to the highway solo and see if it changes any maybe it gets better, maybe it goes away, maybe it doesn't change at all.

Again, stab in the dark, trying to help by throwing (possibly crazy) ideas out there lol.

Hah... its an idea I hadn’t thought about until now and I’m still currently accepted any stab in the dark.

I’m 5’4” 120lbs so I don’t think there would be any difference even if I found someone twenty pounds lighter. In contrary, I could get my husband to drive and see if it’s worse.

Also, I’ve driven two brand new ones right off the lot and they were even worse than mine. Toyota can’t keep claiming this is “normal”. I’ve just got to keep gathering more data and find out how to become the Erin Brockovich of 4Runners. [emoji1787]




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mutant138]

Might be somewhere in the tread TLDR. Figured I would share anyways since there are a bunch of new posts and I just found this out myself thanks to [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] in this thread.

The best solution is not easy. And Toyota won't do it. That's frustrating. The proper fix is to increase the spring rate on the internal feedback bushing in the steering rack. Lexis will replace the spring under a TSB but Toyota will not. On earlier 4runner models it was accessible but now it requires removing three steering rack. Anyway, if you want a permanent fix - that's the best way. Maybe your dealer would do the work?

Bulletin(L-SB-0020-12)

L-SB-0020-12 March 29, 2012
Steering Wheel Flutter at Highway Speeds
Category Steering
Section Steering Gear/Linkage Market USA
Applicability YEAR(S) MODEL(S) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2010 – 2012 GX460
Introduction
Some vehicles may exhibit a steering flutter condition while driven at approximately 55 – 70 mph. In some cases, this concern is caused by a wheel imbalance or RFV (Radial Force Variation) that is out of range. If the tire and wheel assembly is satisfactory, a steering control valve preload spring is available to reduce the steering flutter felt through the steering wheel.

Here is the fix. Doesn't seem too bad.

https://www.fjcruiserforums.com/for...ring-wheel-shake-please-read-l-sb-0020-12.pdf

 

[-E5J-]

Have you had Steering wheel vibration/shimmy/wobble problems in your 201X 4runner? I am running a stock Trail model.

I've had no success getting rid of mine. Dealer tried tire balances with GSP9700, new Bridgestone tires, and new Michilin tires

Here's my saga:
4run.docx

Yes - other fix (please specify) - Tire Pressure, as little as +/-2 PSI has made a big difference.

Not on my 2019...

-On my 2016, tire pressure only.
-2015, no issues.
-2002, minor issues attributed to age, mileage & tires, and tire pressure

 

[pumacat24]

Might be somewhere in the tread TLDR. Figured I would share anyways since there are a bunch of new posts and I just found this out myself thanks to [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] in this thread.







L-SB-0020-12 March 29, 2012

Steering Wheel Flutter at Highway Speeds

Category Steering

Section Steering Gear/Linkage Market USA

Applicability YEAR(S) MODEL(S) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2010 – 2012 GX460

Introduction

Some vehicles may exhibit a steering flutter condition while driven at approximately 55 – 70 mph. In some cases, this concern is caused by a wheel imbalance or RFV (Radial Force Variation) that is out of range. If the tire and wheel assembly is satisfactory, a steering control valve preload spring is available to reduce the steering flutter felt through the steering wheel.



Here is the fix. Doesn't seem too bad.



https://www.fjcruiserforums.com/for...ring-wheel-shake-please-read-l-sb-0020-12.pdf

Thanks for that, I’d read that before but not seen that PDF.

However, I can’t do that myself. Has anyone actually performed this on a 4Runner and fixed their car? How do we know if that Lexus replacement spring is the same as ours?

I will add this to my data case when I present to the owner of my local dealership.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[qhappold]

My 4runner is a 2011 limited. It has a 1.75" lift up front, 1.5" in the back, all with bilstein 5100s and cooper discoverer ATP tires. Also have cheaper discount tire aftermarket wheels, which may be contributing, but here we go...

Here is my Saga...

1. First vibrations started after a wheel balance at discount tire. This wheel balance was done nearly 3,000 miles after my lift, leading me to believe the wheel balance was the issue.

2. Trips in and out of discount tire for an entire week, balancing, driving, balancing, driving, all to no avail.

3. Discount decided to warranty the two front tires after a road force which determined they were ever so slightly out of round.

4. New tires had no vibs for 2-3 days, and then it came back.

5. Lowered the lift to only 1.75" instead of 2.5" to maybe help get a better alignment and change the geometry a bit. Vibrations completely gone until...

6. Back in to discount after 5,000+ vib free miles. Balance and rotation... vibration is now back.

7. I personally swapped the tires back to their original position after the rotation, thinking the rears were worn slightly different then the newer fronts, possibly causing this vib.

8. Vibration still occurs, sometimes every day, sometimes never, sometimes while driving the same speed for awhile. But if it ever does occur, its always between 60-70.

9. It is a b**** to figure this out and has been driving me nuts for over 15,000 miles. Since my 4runner has 125000 on it, I will have no luck at the dealer and this issue will surely be seen as "due to worn parts."

Either way, I have gone down almost every possible road except for dropping a few grand to replace tires, wheels, UCA's, etc. When crawling around under the T4R, nothing is loose, all ball joints seem just fine, no boots leaking...:shrug:

I figure ill just drive it till the wheels fall off, or i get the money to spend 3k plus to replace all the front suspension components.

 

[cognus]

I can assure everyone that I ain't the only 4th Gen'er lurking on this thread.
Many 4th gen suffer from this as well. Also steering wheel/column 'clack/click'

I'll be updating inside of a few weeks as I'm going to retire my rear pair of duelers. Can't wear them out, but my shake seems to be more rear than front. My guess is the problem will change, but not go away. I'm probably going to recycle the wheel that is now the spare also. may as well.... maybe I'll get lucky.

Can someone knowledgeable please repeat, with correct terminology, what the measurement lingo is for determining if a tire is "inside" or "outside" the acceptable trueness [what's the term?] specs that Discount and other decent tire shops measure? I don't recall any such discussion in my many visits to Discount here and want to make Certain this trip that the tech is skilled, and looks at these parameters before trying to stick me with imprecise tires.

 

[TRDORmike]

Hello all,

I sold my 2017 4Runner back in oct 2018 after dealing with this for a year and a half. I work at a dealership with access to hoists and ever tool under the sun. I tried new wheels, new tires stock rims with new tires and probably 5 plus alignments. Also loosened the whole front end and re torqued everything to spec. No changes. Installed Bilstein 5100s, no change. After trying to fix this thing every week and no Toyota support for this issue I just gave up. Purchased a new 2019 Colorado ZR2. This truck drives smooth as butter. I pay a lot of money for these vehicles for a solid quality drive/feeling. This thing comes stock with Duratracs too and is so much smoother than my 4Runner ever was. Holds a straight line so tightly it’s fantastic.

I’m not trying to toot my own horn but I went to a brand (Chevy) that I would have NEVER gone to before because of this issue. I love my truck, it has its small flaws but they are so easily fixable and the support is there from Chevy. Toyota needs to look at this more seriously, in my opinion this ruins the driving experience of these 4runners. I was just checking in to see if anyone had luck or if there was a common fix for this yet but sadly doesn’t seem so. I don’t want to disappoint new owners that there is no fix yet I just want to provide my experience as I was in your shoes, beyond frustrating. So frustrating that I come back to check after I don’t even own the 4Runner anymore. good luck everyone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RPStandard]

I just bought a 2018 SR5 with stock wheels and tires. I did notice the vibration during the drive home from buying it, ~60-70mph. I didn't get it that high on the test drive, but it's not so bad that I wouldn't have bought it. I'd prefer to have a fix though. I'll probably mention it to Toyota next time I'm there and see if they have options.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I wonder if heavier tires like load range E tires are less susceptible to steering wheel vibrations because it takes more effort to steer. I never really hear of anyone with load range E tires complaining.

 

[ryguytheman]

I wonder if heavier tires like load range E tires are less susceptible to steering wheel vibrations because it takes more effort to steer. I never really hear of anyone with load range E tires complaining.

I have Load E tires, and I definitely have the steering wheel shakes in the 50-60 MPH range.

 

[Signal]

Is the 60 mile / hour shake still there when you change out your suspension and tires?

 

[ellroy2]

Thanks for that, I’d read that before but not seen that PDF.

However, I can’t do that myself. Has anyone actually performed this on a 4Runner and fixed their car? How do we know if that Lexus replacement spring is the same as ours?

I will add this to my data case when I present to the owner of my local dealership.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I haven't visited this thread in a couple years, but I see nothing has changed unfortunately.
I don't know if it is in this thread or another, but I believe a couple people have gotten steering rack work for this issue. If I recall, at least one guy claims the issue came back after the work.

I have been riding pretty smooth since the dealer put on Michelin LTX and took it to the regional service center for balance. They still couldn't get it aligned right though and I had to visit a local shop for that. This was 18k miles ago.

Now I am about to change wheels and tires and add 5100s. I am expecting my vibration to come back. Just don't know how I am going to fix it this time.

Seems like many claim that a lift has fixed the problem, while a few say that it hasn't. It would be interesting to know exactly what parts were replaced and what they were replaced with when doing suspension work, as this varies greatly from one person to the next.

Also, why hasn't anyone gotten a class action together to get Toyota's attention? This has been going on for way too long and happening with way too many vehicles without a proper solution. This website is amazing when it comes to finding solutions to pretty much everything 4Runner related, but this issue has proved to be a confusing mystery. For every one person that claims that they did a certain thing to fix it, I could find at least one other person that claims that that same thing did not fix it.

If these trucks are just hyper sensitive to balancing issues, well in my opinion that still falls on Toyota as a design flaw. With all the balancing tech, nothing in this century should be this hard to balance.

 

[pumacat24]

I haven't visited this thread in a couple years, but I see nothing has changed unfortunately.
I don't know if it is in this thread or another, but I believe a couple people have gotten steering rack work for this issue. If I recall, at least one guy claims the issue came back after the work.

I have been riding pretty smooth since the dealer put on Michelin LTX and took it to the regional service center for balance. They still couldn't get it aligned right though and I had to visit a local shop for that. This was 18k miles ago.

Now I am about to change wheels and tires and add 5100s. I am expecting my vibration to come back. Just don't know how I am going to fix it this time.

Seems like many claim that a lift has fixed the problem, while a few say that it hasn't. It would be interesting to know exactly what parts were replaced and what they were replaced with when doing suspension work, as this varies greatly from one person to the next.

Also, why hasn't anyone gotten a class action together to get Toyota's attention? This has been going on for way too long and happening with way too many vehicles without a proper solution. This website is amazing when it comes to finding solutions to pretty much everything 4Runner related, but this issue has proved to be a confusing mystery. For every one person that claims that they did a certain thing to fix it, I could find at least one other person that claims that that same thing did not fix it.

If these trucks are just hyper sensitive to balancing issues, well in my opinion that still falls on Toyota as a design flaw. With all the balancing tech, nothing in this century should be this hard to balance.

YES! It is Toyota's fault, some sort of engineering flaw. I'm convinced of that too.

I think the reason people haven't done a class action is because it's so much work and stress. I mean, at this point, I'm pretty much ready to get a full refund or even take a $2-3k hit and trade the thing in...

HOWEVER, this thread does deserve quite an update from me.

UPDATES:
I called the owner of my dealership and told him what was going on, and I pleaded for help... blah, blah, blah...

1.5 hours later they call back and said can you bring your car in right now the Toyota regional tech is going to be here. Fortunately for me, I pulled in at the same time he did and got to give him my full story, airdropped him my most recent vibration video and he worked on it for half of the day. NO LUCK.

He came back the next day and was still STUMPED.

Friday, July 5, they changed out the entire power steering rack, called me and said no change.

I picked up my car that afternoon and now the front end wobble seems to be at a lower speed, but he higher speed vibration is a little dampened, but still present.

They are now waiting to hear back from Toyota on how they would like to proceed next.

I've reached the point where I can't give any more shits because I've been way too stressed out over this for the past 2 months since it began.

I'm going to let them keep working on it until they fix it or give me my money back (hopefully). I really do wish they would just be able to fix it because this is my dream car, but if they can't, I'm over it and will get another vehicle that isn't the "Vibrator Edition".

Will update again when I find out any more info.

 

[commbubba19]

my 15 had the issue but it was a tire balancing issue. road force balance with aftermarket wheels/tires and it was fixed.

my tacoma had a similar issue but again only with aftermarket wheels/tires. the hubcentric factory wheels were smooth.

seems like the rack design allows for too much tolerance and some are looser than others. if i get another 4runner, first thing i'll do is test drive at 60-70 to make sure it's smooth.

 

[pumacat24]

if i get another 4runner, first thing i'll do is test drive at 60-70 to make sure it's smooth.

True, but mine did not start until around 5k miles

 

[ellroy2]

YES! It is Toyota's fault, some sort of engineering flaw. I'm convinced of that too.

I think the reason people haven't done a class action is because it's so much work and stress. I mean, at this point, I'm pretty much ready to get a full refund or even take a $2-3k hit and trade the thing in...

HOWEVER, this thread does deserve quite an update from me.

UPDATES:
I called the owner of my dealership and told him what was going on, and I pleaded for help... blah, blah, blah...

1.5 hours later they call back and said can you bring your car in right now the Toyota regional tech is going to be here. Fortunately for me, I pulled in at the same time he did and got to give him my full story, airdropped him my most recent vibration video and he worked on it for half of the day. NO LUCK.

He came back the next day and was still STUMPED.

Friday, July 5, they changed out the entire power steering rack, called me and said no change.

I picked up my car that afternoon and now the front end wobble seems to be at a lower speed, but he higher speed vibration is a little dampened, but still present.

They are now waiting to hear back from Toyota on how they would like to proceed next.

I've reached the point where I can't give any more shits because I've been way too stressed out over this for the past 2 months since it began.

I'm going to let them keep working on it until they fix it or give me my money back (hopefully). I really do wish they would just be able to fix it because this is my dream car, but if they can't, I'm over it and will get another vehicle that isn't the "Vibrator Edition".

Will update again when I find out any more info.

At this point, it sounds like you should not settle until you get a full refund. It is ashame though. My 08 4Runner's steering wheel was rock solid for the 120k miles I owned it. I love my current 4Runner but if my vibration ever comes back, it would be hard to live with. I just don't have a desire to own any other vehicle, so I wouldn't know what to do.

Yes, mine did not start until after the first couple thousand miles as well. Many have said that they drove new ones off the lot and they were doing it. That just adds to the confusion.

 

[Mutant138]

"vibrator edition"

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[cognus]

I'm wanting to know the brand/model/part-num of the aftermarket wheels that played role in eliminating the shake. and did the "cure" last for 10's of k miles?

I bet it would make us all feel good to know the "Chevy Shake" is a lot worse :rain:
Chevy Shake Lawsuit Blames Aluminum Driveshafts | CarComplaints.com

I own a lexus rx350, and had a rx300 in the past, and have read extensively about LS's, ES's, GS's, LX's... all of them are accused at one point or another of having alignment issues, wobbles/shakes/etc, with Lower control arms being the usual accusee , lots of parts changed out, steering columns shimmed or jimmed, etc. Ours is very smooth up to about 85, and the Michelins on it are well worn at this point, so I'm not complaining much. has nearly 100k miles now. My 4runner changes nearly every day... some days at some speeds on some roads it is surprisingly docile, other days on same roads the whole vehicle vibrates, with the steering wheel chiming in last, seemingly in sympathy with other vibes. For a different reason, my buddy Dave who is a longtime Toyota Master Mech says to grease the rear driveshaft spline, whatever that is... I think he was implying that it is possible in my case that when the rear was reassembled after a wheel bearing r&r, they may have skipped that step