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Toyota 4Runner Vibrations

164 messages,  Last post on Jan 09, 2012 at 11:13 AM

You are in the Toyota 4Runner Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota 4Runner, Tires, Wheels, Suspension, SUV

Messages Page 17 of 17

#155 of 164 Re: Vibrations while driving at freeway speeds [4runners] by rick_v1

Oct 22, 2009 (8:26 am)

Replying to: 4runners (Oct 20, 2009 10:01 pm)
Re Q1: I basically had my front replaced earlier this year...So this is not an area of focus with regards to this most recent issue
 
Re Q2: The vibration starts as I accelerate. There isn't a defined speed.
 
Re Q3: My timing belt is not the issue but that was a good suggestion. I had my timing belt replaced last year. So we are good there.
 
What I ended up doing was I took it to the shop. The shop explained that I have a "U Joint" issue. They also explained that I need to have my front barings replaced and greased. I pick up the truck today and will give an update when I know more.
 
So this is to be continued...

#156 of 164 4Runner Vibrations / Flubbering / Fluttering Steering...solved. by passinglane

Oct 29, 2009 (5:34 am)

I have owned an 05 4Runner 4WD/6cyl - it had Dunlop tires that wore out a bit too soon, however it had no vibrations or issues for the 45,000 miles I had it.
 
Now, I have an 08 4Runner. It had really frightening vibrations, especially when weight was added in the cargo area, and when making turns that had a bump or two. But on a smooth freeway, half full of gas, no corners - it was smooth. The car only has 21k miles on it.
 
So, one shop trip they did an alignment. That did help make the car track nicely (not vague or twitchy on the freeway), but of course, the shimmy was still there. I had my Michelin tires balanced by a tire shop that had a nearly new Hunter (and all the claims of how they calibrate it often). They said they didn't need any special adapters to balance the wheels, and suspiciously, they had very thick weights on just the outside of the wheels (not a good sign). The tire shop balance job did improve things a bit, however the car still had some bad vibrations - the steering wheel bounced / rotated side to side nearly 2 inches at times. Very unsettling.
Once one part of the suspension was vibrating with the road speed, other parts of the suspension and drivetrain seemed to "chime in" and resonate with each other .
 
Today, I got my car back from Bob Smith Toyota in La Crecenta. I left it there and just told them to please fix it, even if it takes a week. Good news! They balanced the tires very carefully, using a newer Hunter. When arrived to pick it up, I noticed that the weights were in the middle of the rim, on the inside, not those big weights on the outside. They also replaced both front shock absorbers because the left one was faulty. The tire balance was not enough by itself.
 
Now the car drives great - tracks well, no "fluttering", just right on, on bumpy freeways, around corners, whatever - all good now. It is odd that a nearly new car could have a bad shock absorber, but it obviously did. Cool that somebody actually checked things!
 
I'm not saying that there are no other issues that happen with other models, or other people's 4Runners, or that what fixed mine will fix yours. On this forum (I was lurking, wishing somebody could come up with a fix for me!) people mention 4Runners that have completely different suspension designs, tire sizes and age/condition. What I am saying is that taking the car to somebody who cares , who at least actually does balance the tires and look at the suspension, plus drive it and work with the Toyota reps made a huge difference in my case. After reading this forum, I thought that Toyota would just shine me on. Hopefully, this good experience was not just luck - they got it done this time.
 
Sadly, I was unable to convince anybody there to make the 2010 model more appealing to me - I'm probably going to keep my 2008.
 
I hope that this helps somebody who has issues with a newer 4Runner, or is as frustrated as I was.
 
See ya on the trails.

#157 of 164 Bad Vibrations by lemonrage

Apr 23, 2010 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: passinglane (Oct 29, 2009 5:34 am)
I have a 2000 4Runner Limited. Bought 7 months ago. Vibrates at 65 MPH...This seems to be a huge problem!!! I've bought new tires, new rims, transmission mount, and had the tires balanced 50 times...Toyota needs to own up to this! I've gone to three Toyota dealerships and they can't figure it out! Contacted Toyota Customer Service, didn't do much, so I opened a BBB case. I recommend every one doing that. I will try the u-joints, and needle bearing. Thank you!

#158 of 164 bad vibration by bogchie

Aug 15, 2010 (1:15 am)

I have the same problem, when i drive on a freeway from 55 - 70 mph. it start to vibrate , it feels that it's in the transmission or wheel bearing to me .when i tried to observe it . the engine runs smoothly . I have 4runner 96 limited. I hope it's only the u-joint ..
 
Any help or good advice?

#159 of 164 Vibration on Interstate by slemaire195

Sep 06, 2010 (2:59 pm)

My friend has a 1996 Toyota 4 Runner that does this weird vibrating when we drive on the highway. It starts when he gets up to speeds of 73+ and continues when he sets the cruise control at 80 MPH. When he cancels the cruise, the vibrating stops. He said it started doing this about 3 months ago.
 
I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma that JUST started the same weird vibrating under the same driving conditions. It has about 76,000 miles on it and I noticed it today (8/6/10) when I drove to Lake Charles, about 80 miles.
 
His sister has a 2006 Toyota Camry that makes similar vibrations under the exact same conditions. She noticed it a week ago.
 
I'm going to ask them about it when I make my appointment to fix the recalled accelerator. Does anyone know what the warranty on Toyotas are? Sounds like a Toyota conspiracy going on...

#160 of 164 Re: Vibrations while driving at freeway speeds [jokol2] by bengal2

Oct 07, 2010 (11:14 am)

Replying to: jokol2 (Oct 04, 2006 4:17 pm)
Wow
 
I was thinking of buying a 95 to 2000 era 4runner, thinking toyota is a can't miss.
Found many in my area, mn. All ads mentioned new tires brakes rotors etc.
I thought that unusual so I googled. Found vibration issue.
I've read 100's of complaints from most veh. With 50k to 200k miles. The issue
Seems to cover at least 15yrs. Of 4runners.
Now I know most owners don't do prevent. Maint. Like grease wheel bearings etc.
But this seemed more than that.
A lot of owners had firestone tires. Some replaced more then once. Many went
With diff. Manuf. Name brand ie. Goodyr. Etc. Same prob.
A bad lot of tires from same comp. Maybe but not so many different ones with
Tire separation bulging etc.
What caught me was the severity. These virations are shaking the suspension and
Related parts so much they prematurly wearout and cause accidents.
I wonder about or if toyota went cheap to save money per unit.
I wonder if the spindles and axels and hence their bearings are under sized for the
Weight of the vehicle. If the bearings are cheap and with 16 and 17 inch wheels
And off road tires the road vibrations from the tires wobbles the bearings
Then all the related suspension fails. Wheel hub seals fail which caused brake failure. I wonder if the shocks are undersized for the veh. As well.
These issues are in the tacoma and camery as well.
Those are both much lighter vehs. Then a 4runner and no way are parts
 interchangable.
If toyota saves 5cents on 1 part used 4 times in a million or more veh.
You do the math.
Would be interested to know what you find out or your thoughts on my
Theory.
 
Begal2

#161 of 164 virbration issue by bengal2

Oct 07, 2010 (11:46 am)

I was thinking of buying a 4runner.
I did some googling.
If I had a vibrating veh. I wouldn't drive it much till it got fixed.
The 100's of complaints I've read none were good out comes before accidents.
 Normal cars require front wheels be repacked every few yrs or more freq.
Dep. On conditions. If bearings or spindles are worn replace them.
  A bigger rig 4runner might be anually or so.
Tires are supposed to be higher qual. Then they were 50yrs ago.
Tire tread separation bulging etc. Not acceptable.
Most front end align. Shops have an electric motor with a
Rubber wheel attached.
They jack your car up wheels off the ground and use the elecric motor
To spin your wheels up to speed. If you have wheel issues it should find it.
Dyno shops can test the veh. Performance at all speeds with the hood up
And drive wheels spinning under all types of loads.
Lastly
If you have tires with a large counter weight or combination of,
Over 1.5 to 2.0 oz. Get another tire there is probably a defect in it.
 
I want to get a toyota but not with these serious issues
If I helped your issue post what you tried. Maybe it will sway me
 
Bengal2

#162 of 164 Re: bad vibration [bogchie] by 4runners

Oct 18, 2010 (12:06 am)

Replying to: bogchie (Aug 15, 2010 1:15 am)
you really need to check your u-joint. I have the same vibration problem at 70mph. visual looking at the u-joint and shaking the drive shaft, but seem to look and feel tight and a few months of continue driving I heard scrapting noise - come and go. I re-check and notice that the u-joint has a bad metal seal ( near the transmission output side. I replaced it, but the vibration was still there, but at 60 mph this time. I took it for a wheel alignment because it was drifting and my new tire is balling unevenly. It still vibrate after the alignment. I was upset and decided to change the rear u-join bearing near the rear differential out too. This time I check to make sure that my shaft and joint are assemble correctly and it was. I also decided to change the rear differential fluid this time. I used 80w90 gear oil . The old fluid look dark compare to the new. I geased the end of spline shaft and it's mating part well and connected it back to the transmission and the other end to the rear differential. This is my wife car. I didn't test drive it after a week I re-assemble the shaft. She did most of the driving and she does not take the vehicle on the freeway. if she did, she wouldn't know anything even if the tire come off. I have re-built the engine twice - thanks to her. Anyway, I took it on the freeway today and notice that the vibration was gone. i tested at 80mph and no vibration.
 
Conclusion: changed u-joints (front and rear), gear fluid did it.
 
I fixed 4runner error code 71 (egr system check engine) It was annoying, but I finally fixed it by replacing the modulador. A stupid piece of round plastice device with vacumm port and cost almost $300 at the dealer, but I stoleone from one of the vehicle at the junk way and it worked.

#163 of 164 Re: Vibrations while driving at freeway speeds [rick_v1] by 98runner1

Sep 01, 2011 (8:13 am)

Replying to: rick_v1 (Oct 22, 2009 8:26 am)
I am having the same issue. Did replacing the U joint and bearing fix the issue?

#164 of 164 Re: Toyota 4runner 2000 vibration problem [sshifrin] by boseed

Jan 09, 2012 (11:13 am)

Replying to: sshifrin (Dec 06, 2006 12:11 am)
Did you check rear driveline for straight and balance after accident if not I would check there!

Messages Page 17 of 17

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