Trading in the 4Runner..

TRDORmike

TRDORmike

New member
Well.. the steering vibration finally put me over the edge. I am trading in the 4Runner tomorrow for a 2019 Chevy ZR2. It’s got the tires, got the lift and adequate wheels that have a nice flush offset and a great ride. Steering is EPS without going over board on numbness. It is a pleasure to drive as it should be. After 10+ balances and alignments plus a second set of wheels and tires not fixing the vibrating 4Runner I gave up. Love the truck but it is simply not worth the mental stres and time it is taken trying to fix this. Not what I want from a (since new) 2017 vehicle. Thanks to everyone on this forum for the help with things over the last year and a bit and good luck to everyone that is having the steering vibration issue.

Mike.
 
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Congrats, the ZR2 looks awesome. Maybe chime in after a while on how you like it. Mine had the vibration when I changed wheels/tires but a road force balance cured it. I agree with you, no way I could continue to drive it with the vibration.
 
you had a 2017 4Runner and the dealer wouldn't inspect it?
did you swap out the aftermarket tires and wheels for the stockers and if so did it go away?
usually an easy thing to diagnose
 
Just curious but what tires were you using for both attempts?

Either way, the ZR2 is my top pick right now for a compact truck... I think you will like the change.
 
From the looks of your avatar you don't have stock wheels or tires. Sometimes the tires need to be remounted for issues to be fixed. Obviously bent rims and things of that nature can cause shaking.

In general tires themselves, especially larger ones can have some shake of their own. Mine are mounted and balanced properly, but I do have a bit of shake. It's nothing to be worried about, but again I'm not sure how bad your shake is.

Have any video?
 
Titanpat57 said:
Yep...Chevy has all the angles figured out!

https://youtu.be/Cjf3el2qS5M

https://youtu.be/rgEjXWMCzeA

https://youtu.be/ab98g6heewg




Good luck!
Click to expand...

To be fair that first video just about all 4Runners besides the Pro (assuming the skid protects that section), would probably have the same if not more damage. Then again all you have to do is look to avoid the rock. More of an idiot driver than bad vehicle.

Second guy appears to just be in RWD? Third is definitely an issue.

I think the worst one I've seen yet is the dude off-roading and the side airbags deployed when he hit a tree root section. At the speed it was a minor bump, but they sure the hell went off.
 
TRDORmike said:
Well.. the steering vibration finally put me over the edge. I am trading in the 4Runner tomorrow for a 2019 Chevy ZR2. It’s got the tires, got the lift and adequate wheels that have a nice flush offset and a great ride. Steering is EPS without going over board on numbness. It is a pleasure to drive as it should be. After 10+ balances and alignments plus a second set of wheels and tires not fixing the vibrating 4Runner I gave up. Love the truck but it is simply not worth the mental stres and time it is taken trying to fix this. Not what I want from a (since new) 2017 vehicle. Thanks to everyone on this forum for the help with things over the last year and a bit and good luck to everyone that is having the steering vibration issue.

Mike.
Click to expand...
Bummer. Sorry you couldn’t get the wobble worked out. Not worth the stress so best of luck with your new truck.
 
I would also like to know which tires and wheels you had on the 4runner. I am still deciding and have pretty much ruled out one brand. Interested to see if yours is the one.
 
I know how things can get, glad you feel happy with your move. Not sure if I ever chimed in to help before, but did you ever test it to see if the vibe was still there in 4wd? I’m thinking diff needle bearing, especially since you lifted it.
 
Titanpat57 said:
Yep...Chevy has all the angles figured out!

https://youtu.be/Cjf3el2qS5M

https://youtu.be/rgEjXWMCzeA

https://youtu.be/ab98g6heewg




Good luck!
Click to expand...

First vid is user error. Second vid is an old blazer and third vid.. that was the one that almost stopped my purchase. Not a common issue and has been rectified. I am fine having issues that are fixable/replaceable. I work at a luxury dealer in town and also have many good friends at Chevrolet which I did not have at Toyota. Coin toss for how reliable the truck will be overall.
 
JSparky said:
I know how things can get, glad you feel happy with your move. Not sure if I ever chimed in to help before, but did you ever test it to see if the vibe was still there in 4wd? I’m thinking diff needle bearing, especially since you lifted it.
Click to expand...

That thought came across my mind however no other people have had to do this on the 4Runner that I could find. Speeds are above needle bearing signs from my reasearch too. Lift did nothing as this all started the night I took it off the lot 100% stock. I’m sure it’s simply the geometry that makes the front end/ steering overly sensitive which is not something I want to be dealing with over and over to make it smooth.
 
MaddoxPics said:
From the looks of your avatar you don't have stock wheels or tires. Sometimes the tires need to be remounted for issues to be fixed. Obviously bent rims and things of that nature can cause shaking.

In general tires themselves, especially larger ones can have some shake of their own. Mine are mounted and balanced properly, but I do have a bit of shake. It's nothing to be worried about, but again I'm not sure how bad your shake is.

Have any video?
Click to expand...

No video of the shake. Some days you could see the steering wheel physically shaking tho. Other days would be less of a shake where you could not see the wheel moving only feel it. Had stock / bought the Ko2s and fuel wheels you see in the avatar then sold and went back to stock for another 8k trying to work off that and still no success. I know it’s nothing to worry about the trucks not gonna fall apart but it does not provide the solid feel I am looking for. The ZR2 does. That’s all it comes down to
 
Dropzone said:
you had a 2017 4Runner and the dealer wouldn't inspect it?
did you swap out the aftermarket tires and wheels for the stockers and if so did it go away?
usually an easy thing to diagnose
Click to expand...

Only one dealer in town and they suck in this whole experience to say the least. Swapped from stock to aftermarket and back to stock. Same thing.
 
i am in the same boat as you, about to lose my mind. just swapped to a new set of tires and the problem is still there after numerous road force balances. its not the wheel shimmy that gets me between 50-60 mph... its the vibrations throughout the entire vehicle. going back to the deal this weekend for another balance & alignment. will see what happens. :|
 
I had a little shimmy around 55mph after I put SCS wheels on mine. Sometimes it would visibly shake the steering wheel. An alignment and re-balance took care of it. When it pops up again, and it does from time to time, it's because my alignment has drifted. Getting the front end aligned always takes care of it.

If I didn't have the lifetime alignment deal with Firestone, I would be very frustrated. It's still more than I want to deal with on a semi-regular basis, but I'll take it over the far greater likelihood of bigger issues with other manufacturers.
 
I have a few quick questions for people with the shimmy issue?

What is your toe set to?
Caster?

Wheel offset/spacers?

Suspension - did you "level" it?
 
TRDORmike said:
Had stock tires on trail rims and K02s on Fuel wheels.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I think some may build issues from the factory and it shows in the tire drive train. I have been researching tires and lifts since I got my sr5 and find some have continued issues no matter the tires. If your 4runner is smooth I think, opinion only, you should be good and not have these issues.

I test drove an off road before my sr5. It was like driving a riding lawn mower. I guarantee I would have your issues. My sr5 is smooth smooth. Tires will not be an issue since the problem is not built in to the vehicle from the factory. This is only an opinion but based on the threads upon I have read, i believe it.
 
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