Steering wheel vibration 16' Tacoma

Howdy Ladies and Gents.

Before I get slammed, I have tried searching and I do see a TSB for the 17 and 18s regarding vibrations, those seem to be felt in the pedals and relate to possible warped axles?

Anyways, I have 24k miles on my 16 Tacoma. I purchased it new and live in Kodiak Alaska. I rarely drive the truck and use my 88 ford F250 7.3L diesel as my beater and my Tacoma is to go out and have fun with. I noticed while coming back from my day of hiking that while braking at mostly all speeds, I have a vibration in the steering wheel. I drive up and down a lot of mountains and while coming down and going around some turns, I apply brakes. While going straight, I tested the brakes and let go of the steering wheel. I can see the steering wheel shimmy left and right (vibrating). I am thinking maybe the lugs are not torque properly? I do my own maintenance and rotated my wheels @20k miles. I did 1/2 impact and called it good. I did not torque to spec. Wondering if my rotors are already warped after 24k miles...

 

when did you do your last brake service?

If you don't service the brakes, especially where you are with the climate, you can run into warped rotors.. I would check the free play in your pads and sliders...

 

I'll check them. I haven't had a service done on the brakes, didnt think I needed to with only having 24k miles. I have a shop here on the island that certified by Toyota so maybe I can take it to them for warranty work if needed.

 

Its just a matter of making sure everything is moving properly..

If you get you brakes hot, and one of your pads is stiff in its perches, it can potentially overheat the rotor..

And the pad that is stiff is like a heat wick when you stop, and causes metallurgy magic... Distorted rotors...lol

If i'm hard the brakes on a hill and I have to stop at the bottom for a red light, I always give myself space to stop, and let myself roll ahead slowly so the pad isn't sitting on the same spot wicking heat from one spot..... Saves me from the metallurgy phenomenons...

Sounds stupid and OCD, but its just something thats come to be a habit..

 

If you used an 1/2 Impact to install your lugs, It's possible that you warped your rotor doing so. You can try and back them off and torque them with a torque wrench. These things are very finicky, found this out first hand. (Try this first) Also rotating wheel on your lugs one or two holes may help when you redo it. 83 ft lbs if I remember right. Using impact will over stretch your wheel studs and may screw up lug seat.