Steering wheel vibration Poll

[Kotrin]

Every toyota i've owned has done this before lift and after. I'm so used to it that i'm not bothered by it. I've had my Tires balanced by the 'standard' & roadforce, three alignments and yet to get it resolved. I offroad enogh that it doesn't bother me unless Toyota just came out and said - RECALL- Steering rack replacement, or something.

But anyways, i'm curious on the answer's people have got for their fixes.

 

[desertred]

I have to change my answer. I had voted in this poll a couple years ago. Since then, I have replaced the tires and recently noticed the shinny in my '10 SR5 steering wheel. The tires were bought 18-19 months ago, but I hadn't noticed a shimmy until late this spring.

 

[agoeee]

2015 sr5 steering wheel shimmy

Hey all,

Same problem with my 2015 sr5. I first had the tires balanced. That slightly improved the wobble. Next I had the dealer put all new tires on (bridgestones). Wobble just came back after about a week. Any fixes yet? Could it be the wheels?

 

[Burnicus]

Who knows

Hey all,

Same problem with my 2015 sr5. I first had the tires balanced. That slightly improved the wobble. Next I had the dealer put all new tires on (bridgestones). Wobble just came back after about a week. Any fixes yet? Could it be the wheels?

This is all in my previous posts on the thread, but the only fix I found was replacing the funky preload spring in the steering rack. It seems like others have had the problem and had it resolved by road force balancing.
I went through multiple balancing exercises, even had the tires replaced, only to finally have the steering rack replaced and resolve the issue. I think the most frustrating thing for me about this whole experience was the lack of accountability/ownership from toyota.
If I had any advice it would be to take a ride with a tech from whatever dealership you have your vehicle serviced at.

 

[sting1373]

Taking mine 15TE back in. NTB did the balancing on the new install with slight wobble at 55mph. Today I had them rebalance but now its even worse that its shaking the entire vehicle. Going to discount for road force to see if it helps. Stock except tires which are bfg mts. He did say they are probably going to claim the warranty on those tires with bfg since only 2k miles on them if roadforce doesnt fix it.

 

[COtrail2015]

Constant vibration over 60 mph

Really glad that i found this thread-

Brand new 15 trail has been in the shop for 2+ weeks now while diagnosing the specified vibration issue. Currently at 600 miles...100 of which have been driven by the techs.

1st noticed the vibration at highway speed- felt like an out of round tire(s) or wheel(s)

..2 balances later with no fix, the dealership essentially
"bought" my stock wheels and tires and put on the TRD Pro wheels with new Toyos.. check alignment, balance. Still very much present.

brought it back for a balance with the promise that i would not be taking it home until fixed... that was over a week ago, still not fixed.

Replaced the steering gear (power steering rack) under warranty. Was the first 4runner at this dealership to have this replaced- better over bumps...still no fix.. just feels like from 60-90 mph that more than 1 wheel/tire is out of balance. The whole car shakes from 60-90 and from about 65-80 the steering wheel shakes

waiting for a re-balance again.... they think we have traced the issue to the wheels and tires... i am not confident.

I am out of patience and ideas- about ready to ask for a different car here. has anyone found a fix for this??? very much regretting this purchase at the moment.

 

[Burnicus]

Toyota Quality is not what it used to be

Really glad that i found this thread-

Brand new 15 trail has been in the shop for 2+ weeks now while diagnosing the specified vibration issue. Currently at 600 miles...100 of which have been driven by the techs.

1st noticed the vibration at highway speed- felt like an out of round tire(s) or wheel(s)

..2 balances later with no fix, the dealership essentially
"bought" my stock wheels and tires and put on the TRD Pro wheels with new Toyos.. check alignment, balance. Still very much present.

brought it back for a balance with the promise that i would not be taking it home until fixed... that was over a week ago, still not fixed.

Replaced the steering gear (power steering rack) under warranty. Was the first 4runner at this dealership to have this replaced- better over bumps...still no fix.. just feels like from 60-90 mph that more than 1 wheel/tire is out of balance. The whole car shakes from 60-90 and from about 65-80 the steering wheel shakes

waiting for a re-balance again.... they think we have traced the issue to the wheels and tires... i am not confident.

I am out of patience and ideas- about ready to ask for a different car here. has anyone found a fix for this??? very much regretting this purchase at the moment.

I'm sorry you're going through this too. It is beyond frustrating, especially considering toyota's reputation for quality. I wish I had bought a JK, GK or xTerra. You may be able to get out of the vehicle depending on the lemon laws in your state. I would look in to it.
Mine is better since replacing the steering rack, but it still isn't quite right. If I was going to stick with Toyota, I would go with a 4th gen. Seems like way better build quality.

 

[Pro4rWill]

Steering wheel shake at 60mph

From the Service Manager at the Toyota Dealership Florida
"The tires flat spot overnight and when they get warmed up it goes away"
I've almost heard it all.....
New 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, less than 2,500 miles. The shake in the steering wheel was present from day one as I drove it out of the parking lot and hit 58-60mph. Turned around and took it back. After a new set of Nitto's I still have the shake. It's at the dealership now waiting for me to get there. I will be having a conversation with whoever matters so any input that would help me would be appreciated.

 

[Jeremy556]

I'm sorry you're going through this too. It is beyond frustrating, especially considering toyota's reputation for quality. I wish I had bought a JK, GK or xTerra. You may be able to get out of the vehicle depending on the lemon laws in your state. I would look in to it.
Mine is better since replacing the steering rack, but it still isn't quite right. If I was going to stick with Toyota, I would go with a 4th gen. Seems like way better build quality.

You think those vehicles won't have similar issues? Try checking their forums.
Where's this better build quality? Most of the components are carried over and/or slightly improved between 4th/5th gen. Same suspension and steering components.

From the Service Manager at the Toyota Dealership Florida
"The tires flat spot overnight and when they get warmed up it goes away"
I've almost heard it all.....
New 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, less than 2,500 miles. The shake in the steering wheel was present from day one as I drove it out of the parking lot and hit 58-60mph. Turned around and took it back. After a new set of Nitto's I still have the shake. It's at the dealership now waiting for me to get there. I will be having a conversation with whoever matters so any input that would help me would be appreciated.

The flat spotting is very real. Ignore steering shake for about 10 miles at highway speeds, if it still shakes after that you likely have a balance issue.

 

[Burnicus]

You think those vehicles won't have similar issues? Try checking their forums.
Where's this better build quality? Most of the components are carried over and/or slightly improved between 4th/5th gen. Same suspension and steering components.

I never said they wouldn't. I wouldn't be paying the premium that I did when buying a toyota.
I just never had 4th gens behave like this.

The flat spotting is very real. Ignore steering shake for about 10 miles at highway speeds, if it still shakes after that you likely have a balance issue.

If it's so real, then why doesn't it happen with every other vehicle out there?

Look, I'm happy that you aren't having issues but please don't distract from our efforts to get to the bottom of it. If you have something constructive to add, by all means chime in. Otherwise shut it.

 

[Jeremy556]

If it's so real, then why doesn't it happen with every other vehicle out there?

Look, I'm happy that you aren't having issues but please don't distract from our efforts to get to the bottom of it. If you have something constructive to add, by all means chime in. Otherwise shut it.

It does happen to every vehicle, some suspension and steering designs are more sensitive to it than others, and different tires are more/less susceptible. I have experienced it on many different vehicles. My 34" MTRs make it feel like the vehicle is going to come apart until they are warmed up, fine after a few miles.

Every time I get a new set of tires I fight balancing issues, usually takes several tries and often a different shop to get it right. Same thing with my previous Tacoma. This front end design is sensitive, combined with the inability of many shops to correctly balance Toyota wheels, and steering wobble issues are frequent.

The TSB to replace the preload spring in the steering rack even calls out the flat spotting.

 

[Pro4rWill]

Count me in... 2015 4Runner Pro. Steering wheel shakes at 58-60 mph. Service manager today said my tires have flat spots from sitting over night, it goes away after it is driven for a while. It's been the same with two sets of Nitto's. It's at the dealer now. I'm going there tomorrow. Should be fun. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Burnicus]

It does happen to every vehicle, some suspension and steering designs are more sensitive to it than others, and different tires are more/less susceptible. I have experienced it on many different vehicles. My 34" MTRs make it feel like the vehicle is going to come apart until they are warmed up, fine after a few miles.

Every time I get a new set of tires I fight balancing issues, usually takes several tries and often a different shop to get it right. Same thing with my previous Tacoma. This front end design is sensitive, combined with the inability of many shops to correctly balance Toyota wheels, and steering wobble issues are frequent.

The TSB to replace the preload spring in the steering rack even calls out the flat spotting.

I've owned Hondas, Nissans, Subarus and many Toyotas and I have never had a vehicle this sensitive to "flat spots".
I've never had a company fight me so hard to replace something that was so clearly a manufacturing defect. Is that TSB actually for toyota? Because they said there wasn't one for the pre-load spring.
A vehicle should come from the dealership with a steering issue. Please stop being an apologist.

 

[Jeremy556]

I've owned Hondas, Nissans, Subarus and many Toyotas and I have never had a vehicle this sensitive to "flat spots".
I've never had a company fight me so hard to replace something that was so clearly a manufacturing defect. Is that TSB actually for toyota? Because they said there wasn't one for the pre-load spring.
A vehicle should come from the dealership with a steering issue. Please stop being an apologist.

What is it you want them to replace? You could call it a design defect and I would agree, but certainly not a manufacturing defect - they all do it. Every 2003+ 4runner, FJC, 2005+ Tacoma, Lexus GX470/460, Land Cruiser Prados, and probably some models I'm forgetting.

The TSB is for Lexus GX, which is exactly the same as the 4runner. As far as I know, Toyota has never issued one for the 4runner. Not apologizing for anything, just letting you and anyone else reading know, that's the way it is. I have spent tons of time and effort on a couple vehicles over about 240,000 miles with these issues.

 

[Bevo]

What is it you want them to replace? You could call it a design defect and I would agree, but certainly not a manufacturing defect - they all do it. Every 2003+ 4runner, FJC, 2005+ Tacoma, Lexus GX470/460, Land Cruiser Prados, and probably some models I'm forgetting.

The TSB is for Lexus GX, which is exactly the same as the 4runner. As far as I know, Toyota has never issued one for the 4runner. Not apologizing for anything, just letting you and anyone else reading know, that's the way it is. I have spent tons of time and effort on a couple vehicles over about 240,000 miles with these issues.

My experience has been the same. My 1st gen tundra, tacoma and fj would all have a little wobble from time to time. They all also had a much better road feel to the steering than any of the other vehicles that I have owned.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

FWIW my 2014 TE with 9k that I just bought and all stock shakes a little first thing in the morning, drove about 3 other SR5's that were brand new and they all shook for a few miles, so I'd say the flat spotting is legit.

 

[Jeremy556]

FWIW my 2014 TE with 9k that I just bought and all stock shakes a little first thing in the morning, drove about 3 other SR5's that were brand new and they all shook for a few miles, so I'd say the flat spotting is legit.

If Toyota had used a recirculating ball steering, we'd have an 80 page thread about shitty steering feel, but no complaints of steering wheel shake. Trade offs in every design.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Yep, "my idler arm wore out again" lol. Recirculating ball steering on Toyotas came with steering dampener for this problem, no way to have dampener on rack and pinion.

 

[WTERUNNER]

Get it road forced balanced. If your dealer isn't doing it find one that will. Had the vibration on my 15 SR5 at 500 miles. Dealer road forced balanced all four wheels, vibration gone!!!!

 

[Jeremy556]

Yep, "my idler arm wore out again" lol. Recirculating ball steering on Toyotas came with steering dampener for this problem, no way to have dampener on rack and pinion.

Ironically, I have been kicking around the idea of fitting a motorcycle steering damper to the steering rack. Could be done with a couple of welds, but possibly bolt on for the prototype, if I ever get to that level of annoyance...