Vibrations in Steering wheel when driving 50-70mph

Hi Everyone, this is my first post aside from my intro in the new members section. I purchased my Tacoma yesterday and noticed the steering wheel shaking abnormally when I was driving home on the freeway. The shake/vibration only occurs at 50-70mph. Also, the car doesn't seem aligned because it moves slightly right on the freeway. I thought maybe it just needed an alignment but I decided to do a search on this forum and realized that A LOT of people are having the same problems. I've searched and searched and couldn't find a clear cut answer as to what the solution is (Maybe I'm just a blind idiot

Some members were saying that a rear leaf TSB needs to be done and others say that I need some kind of "Road Force" thing done to my truck.

I purchased my truck used from an Acura dealership and also purchased the extended 3 year/36k mile warranty. I plan on calling them later to see if they can take a look at the truck. However, I want to come in there educated and hopefully help them pinpoint where the problem may be since others are dealing with the same problem. Anyone have any idea on what the solution may be? Thanks in advance!

Jonathan

 

The only time I feel vibration in my steering wheel is when I'm off road. I bought my truck new and have not had the tsb done. You may have a tire or alignment issue. Based on the fact it happens at high speed, I would suspect a tire balance is in order, but I could be wrong.

 

I'll definitely mention that when I give them a call.

 

They did the align and balance on my truck 3 times before they realized that it was the valves in the power steering. The balancing would only help out for about 1000-1500 miles and then the vibrations were back. I beloeve there was a TSB out about this.

 

I had exactly the problems you described from day one on my 2008 DC LB. I had them balance the tires about three times. Now, after 12k miles and 9 months, either the wheel shimmy is gone or I've gotten used to it. Not sure which.

I also had an issue where the entire truck shakes around the same speed. I'm talking about where things in my cupholders rattled and I could feel it in my butt, not from the steering wheel. I noticed that when I added weight it went away. Passengers in the back, stuff in the bed, anything. The techs at the dealer thought I was retarded and whiny. My previous ride was 40-series tires on 18" rims, so I know all about harsh rides, but this was different. I think I've just gotten used to it.

My advice for you: Go get the wheels balanced by the dealer again. The best kind of wheel balancing is the "road force" balance where they apply pressure to the tire as they balance it to simulate it being on the truck.

For those of you that had balance problems: did you have any trouble when you rotated the tires later on?

 

I had balancing issues when I changed tires.
Tire shop couldn't get it right.
Dealer did a Road Force and I still had a problem at 55-70 MPH.
Tried a shop recommended by a friend.The shop used a regular balancing machine and stick on weights and the truck is fine.
I guess it comes down to how good the shop personell or equipment is.Now my wheels are scratched up from all the weights being put on and taken off.
I'm concerned about a tire rotation also but should be ok.

 

Shouldnt shake, even my mud terrains dont!!! Have them align it too.. ALL the 2nd gen's seem to go right, for some reason, had mine aligned 4 times and it still does, doesnt wear the tires at all...even the new one i drove did it if you let go of the wheel, lots of people on here have mentioned the right thingy.

 

Alright. I just called the dealer and I am going to bring it in this weekend for them to take a look at it. If all I need is a wheel balance, do you think my waranty should cover it? Well, my deductable is $100 anyways so I guess it doesn't matter. Also, if I mention the "Road Force" balance, should I expect them to know what that is? I'm hoping that it's just a balancing issue. Sucks because I didn't take the car on the freeway when I test drove the truck, which I am kicking myself in the butt right now for not doing so.

 

Do you know where I can get more info about this TSB you're talking about?

 

i ha this when i first got my truck get ur alignment looked at and see if there is any unusual wear patterns on ur front tires

 

I tried multiple dealers multiple times. They never fixed the issue. Instead, I eventually took my truck to Discount Tire, they performed the road force test (which is basically seeing how evenly distributed the weight is on the tire), and found the POS Rugged Trails were way out of spec. Got them pro-rated at 6k miles, and picked up some BFG AT KO's. Truck is much better now, but not perfect. I also have the 4 pack leaf, and I've got used to it. As for pulling right.... my truck never has unless there's wind pushing it, or the road leans that way... which in AZ is most of them.

 

The dealer service should have a Hunter Road Force machine.
Hopefully,they'll have a mechanic who knows how to use it.
My dealer didn't.

 

My '09 vibrates between about 60 and 67 mph, and it'll stop if I let up on the gas. Can just barely FEEL it, but it's easy to HEAR it, it's actually pretty loud. I'll take it in soon for them to have a look.

 

My 08 AC 4x4 had this vibe at 60-70mph with 14 miles on the odo. I told the dealer about it, they suggested I give it a couple of days until I came back to get my stock steel wheels changed to my 17'' sport wheels/ tires so they wouldnt have to fix it twice.Upon changing the wheels it went away. I just rotated the tires at 12k and it came back. I thought it was because I waited too long to rotate my tires, but after getting alignment checked and wheels rebalanced, it is still present. I dont know what else to try other than un-rotating my tires, (which to me would be worth the tire wear to do with out the vibe). I am worried it will happen on a new set of tires also?
Any thoughts on the hubcentric ring I have heard of?

 

Finding the right size hubcentric ring would probably help.
Rubber or aluminum is another question.

 

UPDATE: I just re rotated my tires at 18000 miles, back to the way the dealer installed them, and the vibration went AWAY!!! GONE, ZILCH, ZERO!
Mind you this is after I had the wheels rebalanced at my local shop, outside weights removed and stick on inside weights applied.

I am still worried this will come back with new tires.

 

The steering on tacos is FINICKY.

You want a road force balance using a lug-centric adaptor. Most shops are going to give a blank stare when you ask for that. Just walk out.

There is a steering shimmy TSB that increases the rack preload. Not a whole lot of people have done it.

On my sport there is a known problem with the Dunflop tires. They will get a flat spot while parked. Steering wheel shimmies at 65 until the tires get warmed-up, then it goes away.

Like I said, these things are just plain finicky, esp. for a "truck". They handle *great* when everything is kosher though.

 

I have the 17'' sport wheels with the stock dunflops. They were fine cold, and got worse when warm?

Finicky sure does sound right.!

 

My stock tires would do that... Honestly i don't think I've ever had a tire that didn't do that cold. Just the laws of physics for ya.