Steering wheel Shake

Still interested in exactly what they say is wrong with the DS when it comes out .

Are you aware there was a recall on DS's in the 2010 models ?

 

Interesting about the drive shaft and the tech note saying that it was out of balance.

check this out: could be other things as well, thrown weight, u-joint. But the biggest thing that you should have is that vibration in the seat of you but when driving at all speeds but especially under acceleration.

If the steering wheel is shaking that is not a DS issue. Drive shafts cause Drive line vibration not steering wheel shakes.

http://carrierbearing.com/carrier-bearing-symptoms/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImXbZ8P0VEQ&feature=related

 

Just wanted to add my expierences to this thread. I have had many lifted trucks with different style front end setups. I have found that a side to side shake of the steering wheel is usually more than just a balance issue especially if it happens at 45. True balance, pressures, and alignment is an important part of your front end as a whole, but with reoccuring problems it is usually deeper. Tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, drive line geometry, pretty much anything that could disrupt a dynamic components movement. There is no better tool than your eyes for and initial diagnosis of your problem. Well that and a pry bar! Cracked boots on front end parts mean dirt gets in, shiny metal means no lube and wear, lumpy or uneaven wear on tires tell many tales. Improper pressures on tires, especially wide tires can make a world of difference. I have used all the style weights, even airsoft bb's measured and inserted into the tires to create an ever adapting balance system. Another great test is the chalk test on your tires to achieve proper pressure for the tire, it might be different than what your door says. Shake things, move things to see where your front end stands. My most recent expierence was on mile 5 of my brand spankin 2012 reg cab 4x4 yota. shakes at 45 and 65 like clockwork. Ended up being my right front out of balance and left front tire was junk from the factory. Both were fixed free of charge and she is smooth as glass now. Thanks to all the members for their posts. Good Info and glad to be a new member.

 

So did the new Drive Shaft solve the issue? If it was the Drive shaft then a brand new one that is properly balanced should run smooth.

If you still have steering wheel shakes, then some type of Front end issue is going on. Check tie rods, ball joints and any/all steering components none should be loose, bkleski is correct, No cracked rubber boots etc. Also I like to visually inspect tire rotation as when mounted in the vehicle. On a different vehicle I had really bad vibrations and it turned out to be a bent axle flange (2005 Rubicon), a bent rim would do the same.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

OK
We'll try this one more time.
Toyota has stated that there is a design flaw in the entire driveline.
Specifically, we will have to see what is addressed by the recall or they may try the TSB route.

In plain english, even tho the entire driveline has been replaced, there still is a flaw causing the vibration, this is the reason a re-design is forth coming.

Guess I'll have to take a few pics to reflect that everything has been replaced in the driveline, NOT just the DS. (See the WO; Propeller ASSEMBLY)

The slight shudder @ 20 MPH is only a part of the issue. Please, re-read the thread, I have a vibration coming from under the seat/bottom of vehicle around 55-65 MPH as well.
The truck has approx. 28K miles on it.

Here:

 

I was not aware of that.
Do you have a number?
Thx, OZ

 

I don't have the number but it is in this thread I believe

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5539683

 

I thought I would share my experience with steering wheel shake. Bought my truck stock with 140K miles on it. After a week of smooth driving I put a small levelling kit on it with 285/75/16 MTR's and Level 8 aftermarket wheels. That's when I got a bad shake from 40-60mph's. Then I got the tires re-balanced and the shake was reduced and only occured from 45-55mph. I got sick of it and switch back to stock wheels and tires and now everything is smooth again.
I wouldn't jump to conclusions that it was automatically the tires and wheels to be blamed for the issue since those wheels and tires are a lot heavier and putting more strain on the suspension and steering components. So I'm stumped.
I'm going to stick with the stock wheels for now but will be getting a little bit bigger tires (255/75/17) and we will see if there is any difference

 

Does anyone know if Discount Tire does the correct balancing for our trucks with the Heweka adapter? Or does it just depend on which one you go to?

 

A little late to the game on this one, and only read through a couple of pages Sorry in advance if you guys covered this already. . .

Anyway, right after I got my 2012, I put 17" American Racing wheels with 285/70 Wrangler Duratracs. Not too far off from my 2008 set up. Everything seemed fine, until now. Massive steering wheel shake at 40 mph, and full body shake at 75-80 mph. Took it in and way out of balance, and they said they couldnt get back in balance?? so they put silica beads in each tire. Apparently thats supposed to help with weight issues. Anyone else use these? Or have a similar set up? So far still the same.

 

Yup, Shudders under the seat are drive line vibration and drive shaft issues. Not an issue with tires or steering components generally.

Solution, get rid of the crappy two piece drive shaft and put in a fixed unit with either a double cardin DS. I'm not sure if the stock output is a slip yoke or not.

Drive line vibes can cause all kinds of trouble and are really hard on the axles output bearings and transfer case output shafts. And will cause premature failure of those parts.

 

Maybe a one piece is the fix from Toyota?
If not do you have any suggestions?
Thx

 

We used those only on tires larger than 40's or sets that required massive amount over 35's. My suggestion to you is to tell them to do a ROAD FORCE balance. This will tell the tire tech if he needs to rotate the tire on the rim to balance out the heavy spot. It helps a lot when running into balancing issues.

 

Find an industrial shop the specializes in Drive shafts. There are at least two of these in the St Louis area where I'm from.

Take it to a shop that can identify the problem and fix that. It could be something as simple as the balance to a bad U joint. Or any other part that is broken or out of balance on the drive shaft.

Did you watch the video I posted? Can you attach a camera under and video your DS ? I'd start be Identifying the problem and go from there.

Road force balancing the tires will NOT fix a drive shaft problem.

I think I'm done with this thread.
Good luck.

PS. Drive shafts can be out of balance from the factory. I've seen it first hand, including bad u-joints due to improper assembly.

 

I'm beginning to wonder about my wheel shake. The tires have been roadforce balanced, hubcentric rings added (the wheels are lugcentric and had about a 6mm space difference around the hub). Strange thing is it only started shaking after my last tire rotation. I'm due for another rotation tomorrow, so I'll see if it's still shaking.

I'm also getting a slight humming noise at 50-65mph. I can't really locate where it's coming from.

Dang, all these problems just from a 3" lift.

 

Do you wheel? Do you possibly have an out of road tire?

Go check your balance weights and tell me whether your static or dynamic. Static is one set of wheel weights usually in the center of the rim. Dynamic is weights right behind the spokes and then again more weight on the engine side of the rim. Dynamic is a much better way of balancing.


Is regards to the humming. When your driving then you turn to wheel to the right or left does the sound increase/decrease with either movement? Have you jacked the front tires up and check the wheel bearings?

 

So they finally got my tires balanced, found a "hop" in one my tires, replaced it and good to go. My steering wheel still shakes!! The shake definitely reflects the pavement condition, concrete=no so bad, distressed asphalt=unreal shake. Im thinking its something in my steering column? Anyone know of any TSB's regarding steering problems?

 

^^^ regards to post above

I notice the same pattern of this issue on my truck as well. This is so maddening.

 

Yeah no doubt! Around 45-50 mph and sometimes at 30 mph it will shake. What year is your truck?

 

Mine occurs at around 65 -70mph

I have a 2011 trd sport