Toyota Service? Are you Kidding Me?

[Saberman]

I need some advice from my fellow 4Runnerairians.. I own a 2010 Black TE with 3000 miles. When I bought it I had the dealer swap out the stock tires for Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's. Stock size, beautiful tires. Since I picked it up there has been a wobble in the steering wheel at highway speeds, and a high pitched frequency buzzing in the steering wheel. The wobble is only at Hwy speeds and the buzzing is intermitant, but when you hold the wheel lightly with your fingers you can certianly feel it. I just got back from the dealer. A very young guy took it for a ride for about 5 mins., I don't even think he took it on the Hwy, and came back and said "its those big off road tires." Then they said OK you're finished and gave me my keys back and said have a nice day. I have had trucks my whole life with all kinds of tires mostly bigger than stock ( my TE tires are stock size) and they never made my steering wheel wobble and never made a mechanical high pitched buzzing vibration in the wheel. Does anyone have any input or similar experience on a TE or any 4Runner? Before I call Toyota I want as much input as possible. The didn't try to balance the tires again or anything to address my problem.

:roadkill:

 

[Quentin]

I need some advice from my fellow 4Runnerairians.. I own a 2010 Black TE with 3000 miles. When I bought it I had the dealer swap out the stock tires for Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's. Stock size, beautiful tires. Since I picked it up there has been a wobble in the steering wheel at highway speeds, and a high pitched frequency buzzing in the steering wheel. The wobble is only at Hwy speeds and the buzzing is intermitant, but when you hold the wheel lightly with your fingers you can certianly feel it. I just got back from the dealer. A very young guy took it for a ride for about 5 mins., I don't even think he took it on the Hwy, and came back and said "its those big off road tires." Then they said OK you're finished and gave me my keys back and said have a nice day. I have had trucks my whole life with all kinds of tires mostly bigger than stock ( my TE tires are stock size) and they never made my steering wheel wobble and never made a mechanical high pitched buzzing vibration in the wheel. Does anyone have any input or similar experience on a TE or any 4Runner? Before I call Toyota I want as much input as possible. The didn't try to balance the tires again or anything to address my problem.

:roadkill:

If the dealer mounted and balanced the wheels and tires, and the issue started when you got the new tires, the dealer should be taking care of you. JMO.

 

[Grape Ape]

I'd ask to talk with the Service Manager to see if they will resolve the situation. Take them for a ride and show them what you are talking about. With that said, you did technically modify the vehicle and chances are, they had a tire shop do the swap. You may want to see if you can find that out and go to them.

When all is said an done, if you still have vibration you will have to live with it, you modifid the vehicle and if you read your contract, any modification may result in voiding of a warranty all together.

 

[philsey]

I'd certainly be riding along on any future rides with the svc dept.

3,000 miles, and you're just now taking it back?

 

[Saberman]

Has anyone experienced the high frequency mechanical buzzing in the steering wheel?

 

[7harper]

It was like this the whole 3000 miles?
Did you try to have them rebalanced? I had to have my first set of BFG's rebalanced .The second time they got it right.

Did you try rotating the wheels/tires front to back?

 

[mikeync]

With that said, you did technically modify the vehicle.

No he didn't -- the dealer did. Yes based upon his request but if you ask them to remove the engine they will say -- no then the car won't work. When he asked for different tires and they took the assignment then it became their responsibility to balance and align properly...

 

[Saberman]

Mike ,see you are wise my friend. My point exactly. And I brought it back and they did nothing. The wobble could be balance but I don't think the buzzing is balance related.

 

[Quentin]

Mike ,see you are wise my friend. My point exactly. And I brought it back and they did nothing. The wobble could be balance but I don't think the buzzing is balance related.

The buzzing is probably still due to vibrations, though, which is probably still balancing related. It is just going through different components that have different natural frequencies.

 

[Uneek]

When all is said an done, if you still have vibration you will have to live with it, you modifid the vehicle and if you read your contract, any modification may result in voiding of a warranty all together.

BTW, Magnusson Moss Act. In summary, modifying a vehicle cannot void the warranty, only on components directly related to a modification affected by it. The burden of proof is on Toyota too. So having a lift, Toyota can't decline to replace your radio.

For the OP,
Try this thread.

 

[bradj]

BTW, Magnusson Moss Act. In summary, modifying a vehicle cannot void the warranty, only on components directly related to a modification affected by it. The burden of proof is on Toyota too. So having a lift, Toyota can't decline to replace your radio.

For the OP,
Try this thread.

You are true about the burdon of proof.. But if the driveline is vibrating and the tires have been modified..

However putting on stock size AT tires doesn't void a warranty. Tires are expected to be replaced and if you use the OEM size there can't be any warranty issues with that.

I'd bet your new tires are out of balance.

 

[MikesToy]

Take it to another dealer and see what they say.

 

[Y2KSR5]

Has anyone experienced the high frequency mechanical buzzing in the steering wheel?

I had it on my 08 4.0 4wd SR5 with the stock Cross Terrains. Did it almost from new, would make my fingers numb. Dealer had no interest in taking care of it. I dumped it for 2 better vehicles.