Steering wheel Shake

no argument there... my point was it didn't make a lick of difference in the driveshaft vibration and at 22 i have that "harmonic" you can feel in the wheel... or whatever it is.

its a nice upgrade to the feel and i was quite pleased at the amount of bump-steer it helped with...

but more importantly.... it does not fit the "older" steering wheel*.

*without modification


*edit
and for reference, below is the old steering wheel (or at least, the same as mine)

 

What modification was required to fit the old wheel? Going to proceed with the steering damper install myself on my '11 as I find the steering far too loose to begin with.

PS: I get the shake at higher speeds.. Anyone w/ shake around 60-70mph that gets a dealer to perform the TSB fix please post results!

 

Step 1. Re-drill the 2 pilot holes
Step 2. Re-drill the 2 mounting holes
Step 3. Grind down the front top of the weight so the air bag assembly will clear (when you press the horn)
Step 4 (optional) add the weight back you ground off. I choose to add it back with lead based solder

Tools utilized: Drill press, Various size drill bits, Bench Grinder, Various files, Vice, hammer, Tin Snips, Soldering Iron, Lead based Solder.

 

wanted to post a little update after running it for a bit now.... so i have a 55mph shimmy that I've not been able to get rid of, well this had a dramatic effect on the shimmy. its no longer a shimmy.. but a less annoying... vibration.

i really am impressed how much this has changed the characteristics of the steering.

 

whats the weight on this damper?

wondering if I could just clamp something on temporarily to see if it
would do anything about the wheel shakes at 50-70

 

well the "weight" and the "Bracket" have a rubber between them so it can move on its own... but it cant weigh much... at most... 1/2 lb? someone on the lexus forums said their version (similar) was 230g

mine really made a difference in the 55mph wobble.. and its not just in my head.. its still there just no where near as annoying.

 

I'm going to give it a go with significantly less ideal tools than Seric (high speed vs. press, angle vs. bench, no vice). Worse case I buy a second damper.. Will take pics and report back in a few days.

 

just take your time, you can do it with a drill, various small-medium bits and a small file and a bench grinder. its just file, test, grind test, rinse... repeat... about a billion times

 

i already posted in the other thread.
My vibe is gone with the mount change.
Same part number and look.
I also have the harsh ride springs.
I might just play with the center bearing a little if i have time to see what it does.

 

i assuming 4wd? im a prerunner and mine looks nothing like that... same part # i think right?

 

you have a different # compared to a 4wd however it comes up with the same part number installed in your truck already

 

Stopped by the dealership to see what the ETA is on part(s).
Found out even tho I just had the harsh ride TSB done it is superseded by this driveline TSB and the 4 leaf springs are different part numbers.

Everything is supposed to be in on the 9th. Will update when its done.

 

Yea until I get more info on the springs I'm not doing anything else. The mount height is slightly lower than previous even though it is the same number.

 

just installed new nitto terra grappler 265-70-17 and shake is gone!

 

Still waiting on my damper. Apparently they're backordered, shipping directly from Japan to the dealer and showing up ideally next week.

 

I found a steering wheel damper that fits the 2005-2011 steering wheels. It fits and does not need any modification. Part # 45713-35030 steering damper and part number 90159-50199 screws quantity 2. This steering wheel damper is from the 4runner and highlander. I put it on a week ago. It did not eliminate my steering vibration but it did reduce it. Why did toyota put a steering damper on the 4runner and the highlander that have the same steering wheel but not put it on the tacoma?

 

Parts are all in.
Taco goes in tomorrow for the repair, will post when done. Wahoo!

 

Hey Seric,
Any idea how many mm you grinded of the damper (or weight)?

EDIT:

Nevermind, I was able to install it without grinding the damper - instead I grinded down the plastic horn/cover mounts (which were pinching the damper's top edge I believe).

2012 Damper installed into 2011 wheel:


Horn cover, upper mounts grind point:


Took the taco for a drive and *wow* what a difference. Steering is significantly more stable/confident. Drives like it should have off the lot IMO.. will report back on shake in a month or so.

Thx,
Josh

 

***Update
Notified by dealer that (2) of the (3) steps have been performed and the technician confirms the vibration is still present.
While attempting the third step (steering damper) they encountered the mismatch fitting of parts.

I informed them of the parts and mods you guys have done to make the damper fit, and as a result Toyota asked for link to this forum and thread. They are monitoring this issue here.

Should find out soon if further development is coming to fully address all concerns related to this TSB.

Hats off again to my dealer, who is doing their best to support me. I haven't used their loaner car while mine sits waiting for parts, but they have really made efforts while this all gets sorted out.

Not sure what to do if all (3) steps are completed and vibe isn't gone?

 

I finally rebuilt the right front caliper and replaced the flex hose as well as
the hard line that had been over tightened and flared the fitting affectively stripping the flex lines threads.

I replaced the rotors with a freshly turned set and,
washed the ceramic EBC yellow brake pads in SLX denatured alcohol
When I had the tires rebalanced the tire store placed the wheels with
equal weighed planes on the same side of my truck,
not on the ends or same axel

I corrected this by swapping the right rear with the left front wheel.

I also replaced the differential fluid and used a GL5 75w80 castrol non synthetic gear oil.

I regularly commute on a 3 mile winding mountain road with 10% grades
down hill braking was torcherous and
required down shifting the 5 speed auto (under 20mph) into 2nd at times.

After the service I now have no issues but it is only 200 miles,
after another 700 or so I'll post back.
It feels so nice for the time being to have the shakes gone.