Hi,

Before I replaced new tires on my 97 4Runner, SR5, 4WD, I read all the posts regarding balancing, Hunter GPS9700, Haweka... Anyway, I have not found any bad vibrations during 65-75 mph high speed driving.

But recently, I do notice that my 4Runner jumps up & down easily at low speed. For example, during a traffic jam on highway, at speed of 20-40 mph, I feel like my car is jumping up & down when I run over the joints (or dips) of concrete pavement. It sounds like the wheels are not round and the tire jumping noise echoes inside the car heavily.

Any idea where I should look into first? Rear shocks, coil springs, or re-balance the wheel again? Thanks.

 

I would be inclined to say that what you are feeling is the car being out of synch with the road. It is sort of like going over washboard roads. Sometimes going slower is bad where as if you were going 5mph faster the tires would naturally recoil in the right rhythm with the washbaord road.

 

Sounds like you need new shocks to me.

 

Thanks, but my truck has only 45k miles. I just bought it from my friend. Rear suspension coil springs had been recalled.

 

What did you drive before your 4Runner?

I'm thinking that what you're experiencing, is just the normal suspension action of what is a fairly stiffly sprung SUV, based on a truck chassis.

 

I had a Pilot and my wife took it. So I got this 4Runner. At the same time, I heard sometimes whistling sound coming from rear wheel area when I drive. It sounds like rear tires are scratching pavement or transmission is whistling. But the noise is at the rear end. No idea!
Could it be the alignment issue? I just got it aligned recently.

 

^good place to start

 

OEM shocks on my 1989 4Runner (bought new - Im the sole owner) lasted about 12K....

 

Anyone has experienced the washboard effect? I probably have bad shocks or bad balancing.

 

whistling sound is your driveshafts, they need to be lubed up, check the tech section, very easy to do

 

remember, the 4runner rides like a truck. Any slight road imperfections such as potholes, rough surface, freeway expansion joints, road bumps, contruction zone, etc. will send your 4R to jump up and down, shaking from side to side, and vibrate, which is normal.

 

Yes, it's really a bumpy ride. On uneven roads, I can see passengers jumps and/or dances with car. Is it very common for truck driving?