2003 4th gen Front end shimmy

cervesa33 · 06-12-2005, 05:28 AM

Has anyone else had problems with their 4th gen front end? I noticed a few weeks ago that at highway speeds 60-75 my steering wheel had a bad shimmy. I took it into the dealer to have the wheels checked for balance. They found both front wheels were out of balance. Well 2 days later I was out on the highway and the shimmy is still there.
I read an earlier post stating there was a recall for ball joints on 00-02 4runners and 02-04 Tacos. I don't think that ball joints should fail with only 22k on the vehicle. I will be taking it back in on monday for another inspection.

Has anyone experienced this issue with their 4th gen?

Thanks in advance.

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Boaz · 06-12-2005, 06:42 AM

go get them balanced again, they did not balance them correctly.

Also do you have the OEM dunlops? they totally suck and are hard to balance from my experience.

02Runner · 06-12-2005, 07:42 AM

I second the balancing solution. If the wheels are balanced and are properly mounted, maybe your tires are out of round. It's rare I know but.............

When I put aftermarket wheels and larger tires on my 03 Runner, I was trying to figure the same thing you are. I took it and had it Road Forced and a few shops attempted to balance them but all failed.

The one shop manager who road forced it said, "occassionally, the tires are out of round." (just a thought)

My Solution was:
I took it home and put my wheels on by hand. That solved all of my vibration issues. I'm still running those tires and wheels today. Nearly 50,000 miles later. I've rotated them a half dozen times. If I miss my center, it shakes. It's happened a couple of times, but I just loosen the lugs and retighten them again.

BTW: Do you still have the factory wheels and Dun's?

Doug

cervesa33 · 06-12-2005, 10:19 AM

I still have the factory 5 spoke wheels and bridgestone dueler h/t's. I will see what the dealer says after I take them for a ride.

Thanks.

02Runner · 06-13-2005, 03:45 AM

Wow, that surprises me.

I'm anxious to hear what they have to say.

Doug

toyota2 · 06-13-2005, 11:15 AM

cervesa33

I was sure you were going to say you had the dunlops. Mine came with the dunlops and the dealer replaced them (300 miles on the truck) with 5 new Michelins cross terrains. That cleared up the shakes for me and they are quiet on the road and good in the rain not that great in the snow, a fairly good street tire i would say but once they are gone something better will go on.

Good luck getting it fixed and dont let the dealer try and screw you on it either.

r0cky · 06-13-2005, 11:46 AM

Good luck and let us know what you find out!

06-12-2005, 06:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Boaz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Virginia Beach VA Posts: 192	go get them balanced again, they did not balance them correctly. Also do you have the OEM dunlops? they totally suck and are hard to balance from my experience. __________________ 2008 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 "Rugged Trail" TRD exhaust 2004 4 Runner Sport V-6,Silverstars, K&N, 265/70/17 Revo's.

06-12-2005, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
02Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SW Fla Posts: 758	I second the balancing solution. If the wheels are balanced and are properly mounted, maybe your tires are out of round. It's rare I know but............. When I put aftermarket wheels and larger tires on my 03 Runner, I was trying to figure the same thing you are. I took it and had it Road Forced and a few shops attempted to balance them but all failed. The one shop manager who road forced it said, "occassionally, the tires are out of round." (just a thought) My Solution was: I took it home and put my wheels on by hand. That solved all of my vibration issues. I'm still running those tires and wheels today. Nearly 50,000 miles later. I've rotated them a half dozen times. If I miss my center, it shakes. It's happened a couple of times, but I just loosen the lugs and retighten them again. BTW: Do you still have the factory wheels and Dun's? Doug __________________ 2003 Runner SE / Cruisers 1971,1980,1997(40th) & 2005 Last edited by 02Runner; 06-12-2005 at 07:48 AM.

06-12-2005, 10:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
cervesa33 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Naptown, Maryland Posts: 44	Thanks for the replies I still have the factory 5 spoke wheels and bridgestone dueler h/t's. I will see what the dealer says after I take them for a ride. Thanks. __________________ 2003 SR5 4x4 V6 Stock 17" Wheels Magnaflow Custom Exhaust ReadyLift SST Lift 3" front 2" rear (great ride)

06-13-2005, 03:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
02Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SW Fla Posts: 758	Wow, that surprises me. I'm anxious to hear what they have to say. Doug __________________ 2003 Runner SE / Cruisers 1971,1980,1997(40th) & 2005

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06-13-2005, 11:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
toyota2 Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: West Virginia Posts: 112	cervesa33 I was sure you were going to say you had the dunlops. Mine came with the dunlops and the dealer replaced them (300 miles on the truck) with 5 new Michelins cross terrains. That cleared up the shakes for me and they are quiet on the road and good in the rain not that great in the snow, a fairly good street tire i would say but once they are gone something better will go on. Good luck getting it fixed and dont let the dealer try and screw you on it either.

06-13-2005, 11:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
r0cky Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 5,370	Good luck and let us know what you find out!

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