Road Force Balance couldn't fix my steering vibrations, what's next.

I have been struggling with wheel balance issues on this truck since I got my BFG KOs put on my TRD Sema wheels 2 years ago.

I've had them balanced and rebalanced by three different tire shops not including the one i purchased the tires from. The vibration isn't terrible but when I let go of the wheel on a smooth road, it's noticeable. Maybe I'm too sensitive but my 2 year old truck vibrates more than my 14.5 year old Altima!

Every thread on this subject touches on many ideas but reach the conclusion that a Road Force Balance is the final word but that wasn't my experience. The first time I had them RF-Balanced, they found one wheel was already zeroed out and the other was off by .75 ounce but they placed the additional weight 20 degrees over from the weights that were already on the wheel instead of stripping the weights and doing it from scratch. I took it back and asked them to do it again, and this time i asked them to break the beads on both tires to look for foreign objects. They did and found nothing. I also had the alignment done at this time. This time the weights were placed in entirely different locations from original. The vibration was much better initially but eventually it was back. I just went out and rotated the tires, no difference!

So what else is there? Did i just get a set of bad tires 2 years ago? I've contemplated just going back to stock wheels/tires but i'd rather replace the tires because I love the look of the wheels. The vibration has always been minimal unless I let go of the wheel. Is it just me? Really, what else is there? I've only got 17K miles and the suspension has been checked out.

Argh

 

You said it started with those tires and wheels, so thats probaly what it is. The more aggressive the tire the harder they can be to balance. Some just wont balance. If you have your original wheel and tires, put those back on just to eliminate anything else. If the vibration disappears, then you have your answer.

 

It started with the tires actually. I had the wheels for a couple weeks with the factory Dueller H/Ts and had no issues. When you say the tires won't balance.....I have a fairly common wheel/tire combo but it seems like every one is satisfied....do you think I got bad tires? I no longer have the factory set. Thanks, Rob

 

For example, i use to have goodyear duratracs that simply wouldnt balance. The whole 50k miles I had them they never balanced with multiple tries on road force balance. Some tires suck like that.

If it started with the tires then thats probably it. If youve had them balanced multiple times, your probably stuck with them always having some vibration.

 

My KO2's seem to cause vibrations in my steering wheel as well. I've been through the same things as you with having them balanced a couple times, alignment etc.
I think the weight of the E load heavy KO2 just causes the vibs a little no matter what

 

I had a problem with Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10s, which are highly revered on this forum.. 14 appointments for balancing, road force balancing.. in 7 months for vibes and wobbles and steering shake and it never got better. We replaced 2 of the tires which seemed to cause the worst of it, and the 2 new replacements didn't fix it. I returned them for full refund after 8k miles or so and got Cooper ATPs, and the problems disappeared.

That was all on OEM alloys.

I heard everything under the sun about what it could be, but from start to finish it was tires - and these were mild all terrains in P metric, not even an LT.

 

Thanks All! I was convinced it was incompetent shops but now I'm feeling more like its tires. I may live with it for a while more as 90% of my driving is not freeway speeds. Still watching for other suggestions. Aloha, Rob

 

Try increasing tire pressure, possibly to well above what you would expect to run them at. See if that changes the issues. I have seen some tires (from a variety of manufacturers) that seem to be out of round, or have flat spots that just will not "round out" until PSI is at a certain level. It may be such that the pressure it takes is beyond acceptable, which would require different tires....

Increased psi will result in the outer lugs not being on the road as much....ie, running on the center more.... which can eliminate some vibration from typical off road tires. That DOES result in higher wear in the center though.

How are the tires wearing? Do you see any abnormal wear on the outer edge of the front tires?

 

Thanks for the response. After 15K miles, they appear to be wearing evenly, no cupping or anything unusual. I was running the tires at very near their max pressure (50 psi) for most of the last 2 years but one of the tire shops speculated that my tires might have been "hopping" exaserbating the vibrations. We dropped the psi to 40 and that definitely smoothed things out. Are you suggesting running above max? I was actually thinking about dropping them another 5 pounds. lol

 

No, do NOT run them above max. In fact, you're already at a higher pressure than most people run. I was thinking you might be down around 30 to 35, and was suggesting going "up" to 40's.....

 

Thanks Much!

 

Man, are KO2's normally run with that much PSI?

When I pumped my BFG's from 30psi - 35psi I felt a difference, I couldn't imagine running them at 40.

Have you tried bringing the pressure down to the 30-35 range? I know if they're out of balance this won't magically balance them but it should give a much more forgiving ride.

 

Actually they are KO's, not KO2s but yeah i've been running them that high. Someone once suggested it would improve wear but I might air down to 35 and see what thats like. I dont think I've had them that low. Thanks

As it stands now, I think i've reached the conclusion that I just have bad tires....I'm going to live with it for now but probably spring for some KO2's in the near future. #throwingmoneyaway

 

If it's any consolation, my stock TRD Rugged Trails didn't balance that great on a road force machine either. They're on aftermarket SCS SR8 wheels, and after 2 attempts, I still get a vibration at around 50mph in my steering or in my seat depending on where the tire is. Just something I've learned to live with.

 

It is a consolation, thank you!

 

Same story here. Had the BFG Mud Terrain KM2 in 255/80/17. Balance was God-awful. I had them balanced 3 times, then paid $100 for road force balancing and the shop owner told me to warranty them as they were out of round and out of balance something fierce. They actually shook worse after road force! I ended up warrantying them and trading for some Nitto Terra Grappler G2 (Yes, I know they are on the opposite end of the spectrum). No problems at all anymore. I do miss the sheer awesomeness off-road of the mud terrain, but the street ride is nice and quiet with the Nittos.

 

Try running them at 38 fronts and 36 rears and see how that feels. Anything above 40 is too much for tacoma.

 

had the same issue with firestone destination at tires stock size on my 04 taco, road force balanced ,alignment,steering rack bushings replaced never really ironed it out till I used Michelin at2 tires smooth as glass from then on, basically it was the tires

 

I love all these responses. Thought I was the going crazy.

 

Did you do the EGCS front differential bushing for the driver's side?

I had your same issues

one set of firestone destination ATs

one set of Hankook Dynapro ATMs

both on steelies....both constantly shook and never held a balance.

Did the ECGS front diff bushing when i did my suspension. It fixed the vibe but the hankooks still shook and would not hold a balance. did some research and found out my stock steelies might be warped.

ordered FN Konig Six Shooters and new Cooper Discover ST Maxx tires. It hasn't driven this smooth since i bought it. I seriously think it shook from day one. And it took all this time and money to finally fix it but i'd do it all over again 100 times. love this damn truck