Alright guys, I'm fed up. Completely and totally fed up with this thing. I am still experiencing awful vibration above 65+ mph. I mean bad. If you do a search on vibration on here, you'll probably find me on most of the threads.

For those not familiar, here's a quick intro. Replaced the stock tires with 265/70/16 Bridgestone H/Ls and got about 70k-75k miles out of them. When it came time to buy tires again, I decided I wanted to go up one size and went with a 265/75/16 Revo. All four were road force balanced on the Hunter machine with the Haweka plate to 10 pounds or below by folks that know how to use the machine.

I experienced awful vibration throughout the truck when driving 65+ mph. It never did that before when I had the 265/70/16s. Despite the road force balance being damn near perfect, I took the tires back and spent an additional $200 to get a set of Michelin Cross Terrains (265/75/16) thinking the problem has to be in the tires. Same problem.

Months and months later, the problem is still there. The Michelins were balanced by the same shop on the Hunter machine and although the numbers weren't as good as the Revos, still very good. I have had anything and everything mechanically inspected that could be causing the problem. No one has found anything. I recently replaced both drive shaft U-joints, but I knew when they had failed because of the sound the truck was making and the different type of vibration.

My wife is going to have my truck this week because she is out of town and I've got to get the brakes replaced on her Lexus. I just talked to her and she said and I quote...."I don't know how you drive this thing everyday. I was scared to go 80 on the interstate because I thought it was going to fall apart."

I don't know what to do guys. The Michelins have been rebalanced on a Hunter machine several times, the truck has been inspected by BamaChem, two dealerships, and a Firestone service center. No one can find a mechanical issue causing it. Wheel bearings were checked when I had the U-joints replaced and they are fine. Only common denominator is the increase in tire size.

What the hell is going on with these 265/75/16s on my truck?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! How can such a small difference in size cause so many problems?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I'm to the point now of eating my losses, selling the Michelins and getting what I can get out of them, and dropping back to a 265/70/16. I really cannot stand driving this truck any longer as is. The vibration is so annoying it's unreal. I planned on keeping it for many years to come, but I can't continue to drive it this way, especially with the distance I drive to and from work. Not to mention it's not particularly good on road trips when your teeth are chattering the whole trip.

The tires have about 35k miles on them, have been rotated regularly, alignment maintained and have a smooth wear pattern. What is a realisitic amount to ask for them? I paid about $850 or so when I bought them. I love the aggressive look of the larger tire, but at this point it's not worth my sanity. Thanks for the help guys and for letting me vent!!!

Matt

 

ditto on EVERYTHING you said The only thing that I can think of at this time are the wheels. When I had my tires rotated from front to back, vibration was WAY worse. So I had them rotate it back=livable, but still shaky. I've been keeping an eye out for 17inch tuntra wheels(gun metal). For some reason I firmly believe that it's bent/wrapped wheels now and will not believe anyone else at this point. I dont know if our year 4runner SE's are cursed?

I also am pretty embarassed to have my family/friends ride in my truck and tell them that there's something wrong with the wheels. I'm sick of telling them it's because "it's truck-based" and it's "normal"

 

2001Millrunner,
Ditto from my end as well. There is a certain configuration where the vibration is less (still very bad though) but like you said, I go get them rotated and it gets worse. God bless I hate to have to buy new freakin wheels!!!!!

My question to you is this though....If it were the wheels, wouldn't the Hunter machine pick that up when it takes it's wheel runout reading when they are being road force balanced? Thus far, everyone has told me that my wheels are fine.

This is just like the issue with my CEL because of the "catalyst efficiency below threshhold" code I'm getting. No definitive solution to the problem, only trial and error by changing sensors before narrowing it down to a problem with the cat. I'm sure I'm like the rest of us that we don't like throwing money away and replacing parts that are not defective. I would HATE to spend money on new wheels and have the same freakin problem, but something has got to give at this point. It's wonderful not having a truck payment, but I can't continue to drive this damn thing like it is. I just got off the phone with a Tire Rack.com rep and like everyone else, he said there is absolutely no reason why going up one size should cause this.

MillRunner....why are you waiting on these specific Tundra wheels? Will the 265/75/16 tire fit this Tundra wheel you're referring to? Thanks.

Matt

 

ti-rod ends worn out? play in the steering rack? too much tire pressure? control arm bushings gone out or ball joints gone out?

 

get a buddy with wheels and tires and put them on your truck, see if it vibrates. How many YT guys live in birmingham? Hell I live in Atlanta, if we need to meet halfway to swap wheels and tires, and see if you vibrate on my wheels, and see if I vibrate on yours...that should narrow down wheels and tires...Worth a shot. Lemme know. I have factory 16" wheels, with factory rubber, BFG Rugged Trails, I beleive, not sure on OEM size...but you should make sure your vibration goes away with smaller tires again, if it is gone with my wheels and tires, and then you swap tires and still have it. Its your wheels. One way or the other this answer our problem. Again...let me know.

 

mine vibes sometimes..i was told it was because my wheels can only be balanced from the backside of them..instead of inside and outside the rim. ive seen wheels with weights on inside and outside of the rims. Im no guru by any means. Just thoght i'd mention it. good luck with it

 

KyleT:

"ti-rod ends worn out? play in the steering rack? too much tire pressure? control arm bushings gone out or ball joints gone out"

I thought of steering rack bushing because it feels kinda loose than when i bought it i'm not sure how this can cause the vibration or anyother reasons that you've mentioned for that matter, Can you please explain a bit more?
- I havnt had my ball joints replaces through the recall, I thought I was supposed to be getting a letter.....

Matt:
I just dont believe what anyone else says anymore the guy at discount tires told me that they get it balanced as best as possible with those hunter maching, adapter, etc. but he did confirm that the toyotas are harder to balance than others.
I believe the tundra wheels that i'm looking for are 265/70/17 with 7.5 back spacing, they will turn out to be the same size as my current one, just 17s instead of 16s. And the only thing that's keeping me from buying these are......MONEY! lol. I'm planning to get the 17s for street use and put bigger MTs only old 16s for wheeling(wishful thinking)

 

Have you tried having Toyota balance your tires? I had a wooble and had 3 different Firestone's balance then two of those with Hunter machines and once I took it to Toyota wooble was gone. Just a long shot, its cheaper than buying new tires.

 

I had a vehicle awhile back that vibrated like that and it ended up being a bad shock/strut.

 

I have the same problem! the problem did not start until i pruchaced a new set of all-terrains. they have been rebalanced about 5 times, constantly rotated tire pressure always checked, front end alignment, new ti-rods. i just think that it is the wheels or something, i put on my super swampers on other rims and NO problems!

 

Did you ever think for a second they mounted them right? Those little spots on the tires (usually a dot of some color) is meant to line up with the valve stems.

Your tires could have heavy or light spots in them, tried rotating them on the rim?

Could very well be your wheels, swap and see if that helps. Or maybe your tires are actually out of round?

 

Just call me Matt. PM me here if your interested.

 

My tires have been balanced on the Hunter machine at two different Toyota dealerships....one of them made it even worse after they balanced them! I have new shocks and struts on my truck (put them on about 8 months ago...Tokico TrekMasters) so that's not the problem. Besides, the problem was there before the shock/strut replacement anyway.

I trust the place that initially mounted them, so I'm sure they mounted them correctly, but then again I have way of knowing for certain. I seriously doubt those dots you're referring to are still on the tires after this many miles.

I'm considered taking it to the Toyota dealership that didn't make it worse (it just didn't get any better) and have them take the tires off the wheels, inspect the wheels, re-mount them on the wheel and then do another road force balance. I can hear it now though...."It's in your tires." Not to mention another $100-$150 down the toilet. Tired of throwing away money at this problem.

Rocko Taco...what size tire do you have? 265/70/16s or 265/75/16s?

 

2001MillRunner,
Why the Tundra wheels? Why not aftermarket wheels? Are the Tundra wheels supposed to be easier to balance, or do you just like the look of them?

Matt

 

Will the new style, 4th gen 4runner wheels fit on our 3rd gen 4Runners?

 

these are the ones I like. I just like the look of them, best looking OEM Toyota rims IMO. Yes as far as what I've heard and know, any newer 4runner/tundra/tacoma/sequoia rims will fit our 4runners. most of them are either 16/7.5 or 17/7.5

 

Yes. Same with the tacoma and fjc rims. Same backspace also I believe.

Before you go out and buy new rims, at least swap some wheels with another yotatech member and rule them out. I hate for a bent axle, warped rotor/drum or something else be the cause of your problems. You might even want to put your spare on to see if it makes things better.

 

I am not entirely sure, I'll let you know when I get out of this blasted office. I can meet you anywhere in between on the weekends or whenever, just let me know. As stated above, we can at least rule some stuff out.

 

i'm just gonna go get some 22" spinners with LED valve caps....Bling for sure

 

Nothing can go wrong there, Im sure they'll be really good for wheeling to.