az4x4runner

I've had this vibration for a while now, only at certain speeds though. I only feel it around 60mph, it gets better as I approach 65 and feels pretty normal around 70+. I have had an alignment and balace/rotation of tires but it's still there. Any ideas what might be causing it??
Thanks,
-Bryan

Yoda

It sounds like tire balance. Tires seem to be most noticable at 30 and 60 mph (maybe at 90 also, but I haven't tested the theory).

CTB

U-joints?

Marc P

Sounds like the same problem i had before I rebuilt my idler arm. Grab the passenger wheel and move it back and forth, if you see the idler arm moving side to side-rebuild it with these directions--

idler arm

Took me about an hour and only cost $13.00=no more vibration!

az4x4runner

I checked out my U-Joints, I don't think it's them, I forgot about the idler arm though, I'll check that out this morning, thanks. If that's not it, maybe I'll get them re-balanced.

az4x4runner

Hmm, my idler arm seems alright..

rimpainter.com

Another vote for wheel balancing. Is the vibration in your seat or your steering wheel?

Once you answer that question, move the suspected wheel to the front or rear accordingly and see if the vibration "moves."

az4x4runner

I feel it in the steering wheel, the seat, and the gas pedal. I did just recently get my tires rotated and balanced, it didn't solve the problem. I couldn't feel any difference after it either, so I dont know if the vibration moved with the tire rotation.

AgRunner06

You could have a bent wheel. That's what I recently thought my problem was after a rotate and 2 balances. But oddly enough, the vibration has been gradually getting better.

You could also have a defect in one of the front tires. I would check them out to make sure there isn't a problem with them (bulges, tread seperation). Also I think it is possible for a tire to become out of round, thus causing a vibration. But I'm not 100% sure on that one.

If I were you (this is what I did), I would jack up each tire at a time and spin it. Watch the tread and see if you can see any inconsistencies. Then look at the rim and see if you can see any changes in it as it goes around.

Good Luck



EDIT: Usually you can't feel a vibration if the bad wheel/tire is on the back.

Nic

It seems many of us here have the same issue, and it all seems to be at around 60 mph. I have a vibration at around 60-65 mph. It goes away at 70 mph.

With mine, I am pretty sure it is the tires. I'll just have to wait until they wear out to be sure.

Birdman

I have exactly this problem on a 1999 4Runner. I had it before I bought new tires and it's still there. The rim is not bent and and there's no excess play in the front bearings. I'm wondering if it's wear in the steering rack and excess play there. I can move the front wheels 1/2" from side to side. Is this within normal tolerance?

az4x4runner

hmm, for those of us with 1st or 2nd gens, could it be the steering stabilizer is worn out and too soft now?

MossyRocks

one of my ujoints went bad and for about a month it only vibrated at about 60 and you couldn't shake it then either, but it decided to go to pieces on a trail 4 hours from home. thats when you cut the rest off, put it in 4hi and drive home with front wheel drive

Birdman

That's why I carry a spare.

AgRunner06

Has anyone figured out their vibration yet?

Mine happens between 55-65 mph but is the worst at 60. It seems to come and go too. I just had my tires Roadforce balanced and rotated and that didn't help at all. My idler arm looks fine.

Please help me.

az4x4runner

I've still got the vibration too ... mine is also noticable around 55-65 and worst at 60.

TACOMANATOR

I had the same problem. It was a out of round tire for me. Tried balancing it 2 times and it would not go away. The 3rd time I asked to look at the tire while being balanced and could see that it was out of round. I put the out of round tire on the back for now--until I get new shoes.

Ken

"Me too!"

Mine started vibrating in the 60-65 mph range just right after I put my lift on. It got much better after I put on new shoes and got an alignment the next day, but was still noticable. For the lifted rigs, maybe it is due to the increased CV angles?

I may try moving tires around first before taking it in to have it looked at.

nofilter

i had it. i dropped my driveshaft, and drove in 4wHI (effectively FWD). gone.
my front ujoint was very stiff, but not really 'BAD.' no play, no rattling around. i had the u-joints replaced and DS balanced. i also tightened down the transfer case flange before putting the DS back on. the nut was incredibly loose - not finger-tighten-loose - but when i bent the lock tab away and put my torque wrench on it, the nut tighted up about 1/8 turn. i re-bent the lock tab with a hammer and screwdriverand bolted up my DS. 2wH and vibration was COMPLETELY gone.

i don't know if it was the u-joints, DS out of balance, or the flange was loose. probably a combination of all 3 to some degree.

BTW, mine happened about 6 months after my downey springs.

88toy4x4

I had the same vibration in my 2000 4runner. It's a 2wd with 225/75/15's. I just bought Uniroyal Tigerpaw 235/75/15's and had them roadforce balanced on a Hunter gsp9700 and I took the rims home and mounted them myself. I still had a shake . After 5 days I took it to the dealer where they have the same gsp9700 balancer, but they have the Haweka Flange Adapter . What is a trip is that my tires weren't balanced. Even though I got them roadforce balanced(5 days ago), they still were out. After getting them balanced again, 98% of my shake is gone. I still get a wobble here and there, but I think that has to do with the road. I have noticed that 3rd gen's are real sensitive to tire balance. That adapter uses the lugnuts to center the rim not the center hole of the rim. Must work because I ride a whole lot smoother.
Sorry for the book.


I would suggest getting them balanced at the dealer and make sure you tell them to use the Haweka adapter. It should be around $35. From what I hear, all Toyota dealers are supposed to have this adapter.