Tire Balancing...MUST READ!

[Gclark949]

Seeing that this thread is alive and kicking, can someone confirm if the TEP wheels are lug centric? One of the earlier posts indicated that a tech claimed the TRD Pro wheels were hub centric and I thought that sounded odd if they are different from TRD to Trail.

Anyway, I am somewhat sure the Trail are lug centric. Not sure how one can inspect to make the determination.

Thanks

 

[Superposed]

Tire Imbalance/Vibration

Hello, I have a 2016 4Runner TEP w/KDSS, and from day one tire balance issues.

Resolution took time, 8k miles, and collaboration with two Toyota dealerships.

One dealer did not work with me and the other one did worked with me.....

The one that did not, wasted three trips/time and wrecked (gouged) two rims (which were replaced on their dime). Third trip was to show them the proof of the issue per other dealer.

The dealer, that did worked with me, participated in the follow.

NOTE: Yes, I did spend $$$$ but only by the dealer taking responsibility and assisting me did we sort the issue...

Initially one of the Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires was determined to be defective and was warrantied and replaced ... Dunlop was great on this along with dealer, but still imbalance/vibration.

Moving on I tested with my 2014 FJ Cruiser's stock wheels/tires (same rims and tire (Bridgestone) dimensions as 2016, with smooth results, so not anything but wheel assemblies in play for issue.... Check!

Next, changed out Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires, known to be not that true/smooth a tire with new Michelin LTX tires...

Still balance issue; however, at this point I knew, as did the dealer, that something was not correct... and not with the 2016 or the tires... but their equipment.

Next, dealer had their road force balance machine re-calibrated, along with the fact that anything more than 11 to 14 on the road force balance would be felt in the truck..... One Michelin was defective due to high road force measure and was replaced under warranty.

At this point, smooth ride, but very sensitive to any rocks or such stuck in the tread, and still does have cold tire feel until tires warmed up....

Final close up test, to further flush the "sensitivity" present in the 2010-2016 4Runners (I have also a 2008 4Runner SE V6 which does not have this issue), I took the original Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires (from 2016 4Runner) and put them on my 2014 FJ Cruiser as the Bridgestone tires were getting down on tread.

Guess what, no issues with balance/vibration with the FJ, even when not road forced balanced...

Hope this helps others cope with balance/vibration on their 4Runners.

PS: The dealer that worked with me, communicated to me that of late they had another 2015 4Runner (having A/T tires) have the same issue. It ended up that acorns stuck in the tire treads were causing the imbalance/vibration... Amusing and again showing of the sensitivity issue....

 

[foo]

Just FYI, there is a thread over here where we discuss checking and adjusting static tire balance after mounting and dismounting your Toyota tires at home.

Advice requested from those of you who have mounted tires & balanced wheels at home

We cover the PRAGMATIC stuff (not theory), so, for example, we covered where to mount the red dot versus the yellow dot (depending on whether you have match mounting marks) and which takes precedence (i.e., whether the tire's high point for radial runout and radial force variation takes precedence over the tire's light spot), etc.

We also cover PRACTICAL matters such as what type of inexpensive tools to use at home and exactly what types of wheel weights specifically to buy and how to eliminate the need (if possible) for dynamic balance.

All this practical advice was compiled simply by doing three basic tasks in the home garage which everyone should be able to do for about $250 in shop tools:
1. Dismount & mount tires and valves
2. Balance (static) wheels off the vehicle and test on the road for vibration
3. Align the front camber, caster, and toe (rear is a solid axle)

 

[ThePurposeIs]

Just FYI, there is a thread over here where we discuss checking and adjusting static tire balance after mounting and dismounting your Toyota tires at home.


Fascinating, I have never heard of static balance. Most of the links in this thread are broken so it was good finding good info here at the end.

 

[Khouji123]

Fuel Off-Road Wheels offer a wide range of world-class wheels, they have the latest off-road wheel designs for off-roaders who wish to add style and elegance to their trucks. Fuel wheels are crafted by professional wheel designers who have extensive experience in the wheel industry. They are also made of high-quality materials that are highly resistant to corrosion and endure harsh driving conditions.

 

[mnofpeace]

JACKPOT!!!

My go-to mechanic has these in place...and i just ordered tires for them to mount this week.

aint life grand :banana:

 

[HiHoStevo]

I also have tried the links to locate this Hunter machine in my area (Las Vegas), and they are still broken... so I did drop a line to the sales rep for the machine... perhaps he can tell me who in Vegas uses this machine and adapter plate.

My '98 4runner has 106k and a set of Pathfinder tires... that I just cannot get to run straight. I have had it into Costco 3 times and once to Les Schwab Tires...

the last time at Costco they mentioned that one of the tires had a "hard" spot which they said could be causing the tire to "hop." Even though the shops have claimed that the tires are correctly balanced the Runner has a definate shimmy at freeway speeds even on smooth roads (of which there are not a lot).

As I have discovered (they were on the car when I purchased it) the tires are an in-house brand from Discount Tire... I am hoping they will be able to diagnose the problem and see if this "hard" spot will cause a warranty replacement.

 

[TrailGunner]

Great info here, thanks all.

 

[lakerman]

well I'm one of them

rotated tires now have a shimmy, road force them, fail, got 2 new tires, still a shimmy, rotate tires shimmy gone, The bleeding continues, front end shimmy stopped when the back tires got placed on the front. Logic says it was those 2 new tires, so replaced, put them on the front, shimmies back, balanced multiple times, one guy says good, next guy says their out. Shop replaced all 4 tires with cooper tires,2 tires needed excess weight off they go, got a wheel alignment, and now worse than before, shakes everywhere and pulls to one side. Any recommendations in Edm Alberta canada area. Tire shop has the elite hunter machine telling me 20lbs is normal, oh what a headache.

 

[lakerman]

well I'm one of them

rotated tires now have a shimmy, road force them, fail, got 2 new tires, still a shimmy, rotate tires shimmy gone, The bleeding continues, front end shimmy stopped when the back tires got placed on the front. Logic says it was those 2 new tires, so replaced, put them on the front, shimmies back, balanced multiple times, one guy says good, next guy says their out. Shop replaced all 4 tires with cooper tires,2 tires needed excess weight off they go, got a wheel alignment, and now worse than before, shakes everywhere and pulls to one side. Any recommendations in Edm Alberta canada area. Tire shop has the elite hunter machine telling me 20lbs is normal, oh what a headache.