Steering wheel shimmy - 2007 Tacoma - 50-60 mph

Hi all.

I have a 2007 Tacoma TRD, 4x4 ... lifted 3", ProComp wheels, Goodyear Duratrac 285 70-17's

I get a fairly severe shimmy in the steering wheel that starts at 45 mph and goes away around 60 mph ... feels like a balance problem ... but read on ...

Been into the shop 3 times ... replaced left front bearing assembly, balanced 3 separate times with weights and then tried beads, wheel alignment, rotated fronts to back then tried side to side, all front end components checked and tight ... and it still does the exact same thing no matter what we have done ... even the shop has thrown in the towel.

The wheels have been on the truck for 8 years with 2 other sets of tires with no problems (they were both BFG's) ... so I don't suspect the wheels ... however since the Duratrac's only have 10,000 miles on them am starting to suspect a bad tire ... but you would think when rotated you would feel some kind of difference ... but no, does the exact same thing.

I am looking for a set of factory wheels to put on and try, if the shimmy goes away the tire shop said they will replace the tires.

Before I do that ... anyone else had this problem? What did you do to solve it?

Thanks for the help.

 

Wondering if it was a Road Force balance? And if the tech actually knows how to use the Road Force feature. It's a whole separate set of functions, and is not part of the normal balance routine, at least in most shops. Point is, Road Force is great. If the tech uses it right. Also, Road Force can detect a damaged wheel. (not saying that's it, but just what if)

It's not impossible to have a balance problem on the rear that you moved forward. The rear leafs are not nearly as sensitive as the front, so it could be masked when in the rear. But it would be unusual.

Barring any of these, I do like the idea of a set of 'known good' wheels and tires to see if the problem is still there. If so, you're pretty much down to a suspension component issue it would seem like.

 

Had the 50 to 60mph shimmey in my fj cruiser. First blamed it on the 33inch mud tires an new wheels. Soon as i had them ROAD FORCED balancrd problem went away. Made a huge freakin difference. Find someone in your area that a hunter road force balancer. Fork or the change to have them balance them an i bet it fixes your problem. I douted at at first too. An i had the exact same symtoms you do.

 

A couple of days ago I took my buddies aftermarket wheels/tires off his 2013 Tacoma and put them on mine ... shimmy gone.

Drove to the tire shop and had the manager drive it so he would believe me ... he had no explanation.

He did admit it had to be the tires as the wheels have had no previous issues, also apparently the Road Force balancer would have picked up any wheel problem.

Goes back in the shop tomorrow as he wants to mount a new set of tires and see if it is still not shimmying.

Of course now the "oh we'll just replace them" has turned into "well you will have to pay the pro-rated difference" ... funny how that happens.

 

Then today ...

Shop swapped out the left front tire saying it had a flat spot ... hasn't completely solved the problem but I have to say it is probably 80% less ... still a slight shake thru the normal problematic speeds but way less. Not sure how one gets a flat spot in one tire but apparently I'm the lucky winner of that one.

The shop thinks that the remaining 20% is from a rear tire that has a slight flat spot as well.

So now my choice is whether to accept things as they are ... or go all out and put a new set of tires on.

Since my 285 70-17's rub on the frame I think my choice will be BFG KO2's in 275 70-17 ... I'm done with Goodyear ...

 

Road force balance ftw! My tires had a slight bulge from the factory and didn't even realize until a shifted belt in one of my tires that kept pulling my car to one side. Tech road force balanced each tire and it cruises like a caddy on the highway.

 

I have no problem balancing them on a standard machine it is not easy to set them up because of the center hub size but done properly it should work. I have had two different shops balance mine neither one got it right took them to a friends shop did them my self no shake.

 

They were Road Force balanced ... twice ... didn't change anything ... twice ...

Just wondering tho ... why would you keep a tire with a bulge in in on your truck?

 

Some tires are lumpy it does not seem to effect them as far as safety or balance. I have Kumo summer tires they are far more particular to exact balance than the Winter Force snows. If you have weights all over the tire it's not balanced correctly I don't know how many times I have seen weights opposing one another instead of changing the weight they just put on, they balance it again and add weight to the opposite side to make up for the too heavy weight. Weights several inches from one another on the same side it's just lazy balancing, it comes up good on the machine but it's not right and some tires do not like that because it has an effect on the
opposite side. A shake in my steering wheel no matter how slight drives me nuts to he point I'll take them off and try again even if it's some thing some one else may not notice. My first set of tires on the 11 were a bit lumpy but they lasted a good 40 grand.
.

 

They replaced that one tire under warranty (shifted belt) but then I still had a shimmy with the new tire installed. They road forced all 4 and they ride perfect now.

 

Ahhh, good that they actually stood behind their product.

The shop I am dealing with tells me that once the first 2/32" (comfort period) are gone off the tire that all the major tire companies wash their hands of you ... if you have a problem it's whatever deal you can negotiate between the shop and yourself ... basically you are trying to trade in a defective set of tires on new ones ... and of course why would the shop want a defective set of tires on trade?

Although there are 6/32" gone on mine my argument is that the tires are actually defective ... ie: a manufacturing defect and thus should be replaced free, or at a minimum for the pro-rated 6/32" that I have used ... but apparently not ... too bad so sad is what I am getting.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to just bite the bullet and open my wallet for a new full set ... back to BFG's ... I'll never buy another Goodyear product in my life ...

Wouldn't mind trying the Toyo Open Country AT ... may quote those too ...

 

how early did you go to the shop with the complaint in the first place? Seems like it's their fault for not picking up on the problem initially.

My previous BFG's balanced really well but I wasn't mad about their traction on wet greezy pavement. I am now of the opinion that any tire other than a Michelin is bought just for looks

 

Also I'd probably stick in the fight a little longer with that tire shop guy. If he told you they would simply replace the tires if it proved they were the problem, you should hold him to that. Did you pay for all the balancing and alignments and shit? Hopefully you only paid for everything only once, but they should be willing to work with you considering how much of your life you lost sitting in their waiting area looking at tires on the wall and drinking their shitty coffee.

 

Yea well I had to fight with them too, and I was only at 6,000 miles. Any tire that comes from the factory is typically shit. Im getting 265 70 17 ko2's in the near future regardless because these dunlops are worthless. Discount tire is running a pretty sweet deal on ebay....670 with shipping for all four.

 

+1 for Road Force balancing. Stock wheels, stock tire size, and regular rotations and RF balances keeps it smooth as glass at all speeds year-round.

 

Yup, guilty as charged ... just like the look of the aggressive tread tires ...

I had the BFG Mud Terrain Km2's at one point ... loved them till winter .. were like skates on the ice ... they came off quickly ...

 

Yes, the coffee is bad I have to say ...

Actually he's been pretty good ... so far I have only been charged once for the balancing and for the alignment, the rest has been on their dime.

Funny tho how the bravado rolls off their tongues when they think it isn't anything they will have to actually buck up for ... then when the chips start falling the wrong way the backpedaling is pretty quick.