Hoping this video can help solve an ongoing problem with these 4runners that don't seem to have a definite solution... read more below
The issue I am facing is a steering wobble/shake/vibration when I am cruising anywhere from 50-65mph. It can get worst depending on how the ground is. I seem to feel it the worst when on a very smooth freeway. Mainly happens when I am going straight. It feels like a tire balancing issue to me. I have already tried two sets of tires: Falken Wildpeak and Nitto Ridgegrapper. Both road force balanced. Both at two different shops.
I am still on the OEM rotors/brake pads. Could be possible premature warping of the rotors, but not too sure. I don't feel like I have been very hard on the brakes as most of my driving has been on the freeway. From my knowledge, warped rotors generally cause vibrations when braking and not when accelerating/cruising. (I could be wrong)
I am still on the original OEM Outer tie rods, which are still in great condition from my visual inspection. Thus, I have not changed them. I will probably replace them at 50k.
This issue started happening around 20k miles. This is also around the time I started modifying my 4runner. My vehicle is currently at ~45k. I did not notice this issue when my vehicle was completely stock (stock suspension, stock wheels, stock tires). I began to notice the issue once I upgraded to new wheels (OEM TRD wheels 17" and Volk Racing TE37 18") with larger AT (all-terrain) tires. The vibration issue was happening on both sets of wheels/tires. Even after road force balancing twice with a fresh alignment.
Upgraded to Bilstein 5100s with a 1.75" lift up front and 2" in the back. Got an alignment. Issue is still there. So I don't think this issue has to do with the suspension. (obviously, if your alignment is out of spec this can be the cause of issue)
I have tried rotating the tires around in a few different configurations and have noticed certain configurations caused more vibrations than others. So this is leading me to think that this is indeed caused by the tires or the wheels. Most likely the tires not balancing properly.
I am interested in getting to the bottom of this issue so I will post more updates as I come across them. I plan on testing with different sets of wheels/tires to see if I can isolate the issue to the wheel/tires.
I know in general these type of vibrations are from worn suspension (shocks, tie rods, bushings), worn brakes (warped rotors, pads), worn tires, bad balancing, or damage to the rim. Any combination of these things will generally cause the steering shake we see in the video. The thing that is strange to me is that other people with BRAND NEW, low milage (under 5k) 5th 4runners are still reporting this issue. Even with ZERO modification.
I have been fairly certain that this is a tire balancing issue but until I have done more of my own personal testing I cannot conclude this. I have had two different shops do a "road force" balancing with no luck.
From all my research (on google, youtube, and facebook) here is what people who have solved the issue have done:
1) Replaced rotors and pads with new OEM toyota or better replacements
2) Replaced new wheels/tires, with proper "road force" balancing and proper alignment. One person even said that after switching from Nitto Ridgegrapplers to BFGoodrich KO2s they fixed the issue. But have also read that people with KO2s had this vibration issue...
3) Replaced outer tie rods. These hold your steering rack to the steering knuckle. Any play in the outer or inner tie rod will be felt in the steering wheel.
4) Replaced with new OEM toyota steering rack. One toyota technician on youtube mentioned that this was the only thing he saw that fixed the issue. I really hope it isn't this the case as these steering racks are EXPENSIVE and cost a decent amount of money in labor to replace. It's hard for me to believe that my steering rack went bad at 20k miles.
5) Replaced wheel bearing (for trucks that see more offroading or badly paved roads this is a possibility)
6) ECGS Clamshell CV Axle Bushing replacement. Apparently the factory Toyota cv axle needle bearing wears out and causes excessive play in the axle where it connects to the differential. Changing this bearing with the ECGS aftermarket bearing will fix the slop in the axle connection to the differential which should also fix the steering vibration. This makes sense to me, but I have yet to check my cv axles. I will check my cv axles and report back. This is a possible solution.
I don't recommend you start throwing money at this problem but if you are experiencing this issue these are all the things you should consider.
