2015 Steering Wheel Vibration - Running out of options :(

2015 TRD Off-Road, 17k miles. Never went off roading (I know, don't judge me). Kept in garage, mostly highway miles.

I'm getting fairly noticeable steering wheel shake between 55-70. It doesn't happen all the time, though. However, on some roads I always notice it (the road is in good condition, by the way, and the vibration is high frequency).

Here's what I've done:
- Had alignment done and re-checked by a separate shop
- Had it balanced my both the dealer and a separate shop
- Tried 2 different tires (snow and all seasons) on stock rims
- Tried swapping the front rims to the back
- Tried a brand new set of rims/tires from a 2019 4-runner (looks cool but otherwise still vibrates)

I have no idea what else to do. I am still trying to work with the dealer, but I have no idea how a truck with this few miles has this issue. Getting worried I bought a lemon or that this is a common Tacoma issue. Along with the shit entune system they use, getting bummed on my Tacoma. I had a 2011 that never had these issues

 

Dang. That sounds incredibly frustrating. It sounds like you've tried everything I can think of.

Not running tires with agressive tread that's holding rocks? Just guessing. I hope someone has good advice. I assume stock suspension?

 

Stock wheels?

 

Hey mate, thanks for your feedback.

All stock suspension. No mods. Happens with 3 sets of tires - winter, summer and the brand new tires/wheels from the 4 runner (which are stock toyota tires, basically all seasons with no aggressive tread)

 

Yeah, stock wheels and also with stock wheels/tires from the 2019 4-runner (brand new set)

 

Well, I would suggest new rotors but if they're warped, you usually just feel it when you hit the brakes.....
I'll be following this thread for a while to see if anyone has any good ideas.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I don't feel it when braking. It's only when doing highway speeds :-/

 

Maybe it's the tires cause they are meant for a 4runner. Did you have them balanced

 

Wheel bearing?

 

Check and make sure all front suspension and steering bolts are tight and bushing/ mounts are in good condition

 

Does it seem like a shimmy (side to side in the wheel) or and up/down type of vibration? I would assume the alignment shop/dealer checked tie rod ends , steering gear , bushings ect. Is that a correct assumption? Is the suspension bone stock or have you added something? These problems seen to happen in certain speed ranges , have you noticed that? Does the rear view mirror vibrate also?

 

Have you tried a road force balance at the dealer? I have this same issue right now - Cooper AT3 tires were balanced by the shop that mounted them, then had them rotated and balanced at the dealer about 5k miles later....changed the speed of the shimmy but still there. Folks on here have confirmed that it's tough to get a good balance on these trucks and they require a road force balance to really get it smooth.

Also might want to check your tire psi and do a chalk test to see if the pressure is right for the tires and your truck. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Really??? 4Runner/Tacoma share same hub bore and lug pattern.

 

Umm... I .. Umm..

Will double check. Unless something was damaged, it should all be in very good shape. I did have a friend (who knows a lot more about suspension) crawl under and look through everything. He didn't notice anything, and neither did the toyota tech who looked it over, but I will pass this info on. Thank you.

I'd say more up/down. But to be fair, I'm not really an expert and have not done enough of this diagnosis to feel confident. I'm not sure all what they checked, but I am making notes of all of this to bring to them. Suspension is bone stock, 55-70. I'll check the rear view mirror next time I'm out, I honestly never looked, but I don't recall any vibration in the mirror (granted I think I would have noticed, my other car's mirror vibrates all the time!).

Thank you

I have not tried a road force balance. That's one thing I may need to do. I've read that the taco is a big bitch as well to get right. Frustrating!

 

Hope this clears up.

I had similar issues with my 2013, I had it road force balanced 4 times and it still wasn’t steady at speed.

It is a common issue, sometimes it’s fixable, sometimes someone does everything they can and there’s no issues easily identified, so hang in there.

If you’re having the same issue with 3 different sets of wheels/tires, it is a truck issue, not a tire, wheel, or balance issue.

 

Maybe a sticking caliper! Check your brake lines and calipers. If possible, bleed the whole brake system and go for a ride. See if there is any difference.

 

Thanks mate. Your notes make sense. Blah! So frustrating!

Roger that. Adding to my list. Thank you!

 

It was happening to me before and go away after new rotors, brake pads and a good bleeding. It is just a possibility between many others, you know!

 

any chance it could be the needle bearing in the drivers side cv?

 

i have a 2013 tacoma and have a shake also, around 40-50, really frustrating. let us know what works for you.