Steering Wheel Vibration

[fdbyrne]

I have an odd question.

Is there any way to dampen steering wheel vibrations? All kinds of vibrations get transmitted up through the steering column and into my hands. It's not just your typical engine, suspension, and wheel vibrations. There are times when a different car's exhaust hits just the right frequency and I can feel it in my steering wheel as it drives by.

Is there some sort of rubber bushing that might be shot or a bolt that may need to be tightened? My rack bushings seem to be in fine shape with very little deflection.

It's not a huge deal, it's just moderately annoying. The steering column itself seems to be acting like a large tuning fork.

 

[Sungod]

I think there was a Lexus TSB that addressed the issue. I know what you are talking about. It feels like you are holding on to a aluminum bat that someone keeps hitting repeatedly with a steel hammer.

 

[fdbyrne]

Yes. Pretty much. I'll do a search for that TSB.

 

[earthrealm]

seen?

 

[fdbyrne]

seen?

What?

 

[scw1991]

Front wheel alignment issue perhaps?

 

[fdbyrne]

Thank you for the suggestion. The truck was just aligned so I don't think that's my problem.

I'm certain that it's something with my steering column. It's acting like a tuning fork and passing any vibration of a certain frequency right into my hands. Even music and exhaust sounds from other vehicles get picked up and directed right into my hands.

It's really strange. I need to crawl under there and see if much exhaust is touching anything. That might be possible.

 

[4by4th]

I found this thread in a search for "steering wheel vibration" or "steering wheel shake" not sure what I actually typed now.

I went off road today, first time on rough gravel roads and 2 track dirt in quite a while. I felt like I could feel every large piece of gravel on the road through the steering wheel. I think I could even hear the steering column at times.

Last week had the front axles replaced due to bad boots, steering sway bar bushings replaced, ball joints inspected that they said looked good and asked if I'd had them replaced already since they looked so good, new brake pads and rotors, and front end alignment. Had the wheels balanced a couple weeks ago and everything's smooth on the road.

I think it's in the steering somewhere. I went through all the 4WD settings today, 4 high, 4 low, VSC off, Downhill assist on, everything seems to be working good as new except the steering wheel vibration./shake. Feels like something's loose in the steering column.

These things don't have a sideways mounted shock absorber type steering stabilizer do they? Every other 4x4 I've owned did, Nissan P/U, Cherokee, F150. While driving today, the 4Runner felt like it needed one. Can they be added?

 

[LOBO79]

Did you check the hub bearings?

 

[LTDSC]

wheel balance/alignment/tie rod shape and condition/hub failure

Steering wheels dont just vibrate, they do it because something is right.

 

[4by4th]

Did you check the hub bearings?

I took it in last week due to steering wheel shake while braking at highway speeds and hub bearings is one thing they mentioned checking before finding warped rotors. I will call them tomorrow to confirm and tell them what it was like today off road. I also think they looked over the entire front suspension, since they did find the sway bar bushings when I told them to look at the axle boots and ball joints and they found the sway bar bushings bad. I trust this shop as much as I can trust any place since they helped me through the whole "Worst Nightmare" experience when the dealer didn't put oil in during an oil change. That dealer actually refused to sell them parts after that ordeal.

 

[4by4th]

I might have found the problem tonight with more web searching and a few times under the front end. Drivers side LCA bushing is starting to deteriorate, passenger side appears to be completely missing. Seems like that would make it feel loose in the steering wheel over bumps.

 

[fdbyrne]

That's not an easy job (doable, just not easy). I'd make sure that's the problem first. Do you have a Go Pro? If they are flexing enough to cause your problem then you should be able to clearly see them flex in the video footage.

 

[LTDSC]

one side is open ended so make sure its just not that side you're viewing.

My LCA bushings would really pivot when i had the wheel cranked and someone was driving and backing up and tapping the brakes. You could see it move a lot.

I had them pressed out, new ones in and new lower arm BJs while it was out. The shop hated it and it was tough, but its done and rides like new. I used DayStar energy suspension bushings and Moog BJs.

 

[4by4th]

one side is open ended so make sure its just not that side you're viewing.

Checked and double checked, thanks. Taking it back to the shop tomorrow to have them look at it.

 

[4by4th]

My trusted local mechanic went through everything in the front end and said everything is tight. They said the lower control arms are in good condition and won't replace anything because they said I will be unhappy paying for something that results in no change. They think it's my tires, BFG A/T KO's. No way I'm switching to a street tire. I really think the 4Runner needs a steering stabilizer.

 

[Fordy420]

did you ever find out the issue?

 

[4by4th]

did you ever find out the issue?

Nope. Any suggestions?

 

[AuSeeker]

Nope. Any suggestions?

Did they check that the tires were balanced correctly, by that I mean using the proper balancing procedure, these 4th gens tires/wheel are lug-centric, when tires are balanced they either use lug-centric or hub-centric procedure, if they used hub-centric when balancing your tires that could be your issue.

The difference is that for hub-centric the wheel is centered on the spindle by the actual hub, whereas for lug-centric the wheel is centered by the actual lugnuts, if the wrong balancing procedure is used the wheel/tires could still be out of balance when it is installed on the vehicle.

 

[4by4th]

Did they check that the tires were balanced correctly, by that I mean using the proper balancing procedure, these 4th gens tires/wheel are lug-centric, when tires are balanced they either use lug-centric or hub-centric procedure, if they used hub-centric when balancing your tires that could be your issue.

The difference is that for hub-centric the wheel is centered on the spindle by the actual hub, whereas for lug-centric the wheel is centered by the actual lugnuts, if the wrong balancing procedure is used the wheel/tires could still be out of balance when it is installed on the vehicle.

I don’t think it has anything to do with the wheels or tires. The wheels have been refinished, and tires replaced. Smooth driving on the road. I can occasionally feel slight steering wheel “clacking” over bumps in the road. Feels like the steering column is loose. I need to strap a GoPro to my chest and drive down a washboard gravel road to show people what I’m talking about. This is a third vehicle now, used for pulling the boat, carrying bikes, and hauling cargo like kegs and stuff from Lowe’s or Home Depot. Current off road vehicle is a lifted Jeep Rubicon. Daily driver Honda Accord.