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Steering wheel shake/vibration on my new 1794 Tundra. Please help.

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by MoreCowbell, Apr 18, 2019.

  1. Apr 18, 2019 at 12:10 PM
    #1
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    My truck is 100% stock and it has had a steering wheel shake/shimmy/vibration since new. It always happens between 58-60 mph. I complained to the dealer and they road-forced balanced my wheels. Still did it. I took it back again. They checked the alignment and road-forced balanced them again. Still did it. No change at all. I told them that I want the stock Bridgestones replaced with Michelin Defender LTX's so they did this. They road-forced balanced these. Still does it but not as bad. They claim that they have checked wheel bearings, tie rods, struts, etc and can find nothing wrong. I'm at my wits-end with this issue.

    One other note: I have experimented with various PSI settings and anything over 30 psi in the front causes it to be worse. The steering also reacts violently whenever I hit a bump in the road. Is this normal for the Tundra. On the same route for the past 8 years, my last two trucks never had this issue. Thank you for reading.
     
  2. Apr 18, 2019 at 1:07 PM
    #2
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Might you have a rim that's out of round?
     
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  3. Apr 18, 2019 at 1:10 PM
    #3
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    I forgot to mention that in my post earlier but they claim the actual wheels are fine. The only thing that I haven't tried is swapping out rim/tires with another Tundra. Thanks for replying.
     
  4. Apr 18, 2019 at 1:15 PM
    #4
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    The only thing left is something wrong with the rims. Does it change at all when you rotate the tires? And has it also been consistent at that mile per hour? No matter what the dealer did it always happened at those speeds? One thing I’ve read and learned with these trucks is, the surface behind the wheels needs to be clean and the Lugnuts torqued properly in the proper pattern.
     
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  5. Apr 18, 2019 at 1:19 PM
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    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    If it's the tires or wheels, it's one or both of the front two. Try swapping out a front wheel with the spare, one at a time to isolate which wheel is bad. If it's still shaking, maybe swap fronts and rears. First thing you need to do is figure out if it's the wheels/tires and which one it is.
     
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  6. Apr 18, 2019 at 3:08 PM
    #6
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Try a different tire shop, It worked for me with a similar problem. I'm guessing the balance machine could of been whacked..
     
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  7. Apr 19, 2019 at 6:17 AM
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    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I was rushed whenever I first posted this and didn't include all of the relevant information. Actually, before the dealer got involved I had taken it to a local shop (5 minutes away) that I have been using for years and know the owner personally. I had them swap the rear wheels for the front ones. This did not resolve the issue. I learned this on this site before signing up here. I also had my local shop balance all four the following week. Same problem unfortunately. To let you fellas know, my wife actually called Toyota Corp last night and filed a formal complaint. We are pursuing a buy back. It has been to the dealer 5 times and 2 trips to my local shop. No one has been able to fix this. It's a shame because I really like the truck other than the annoying steering wheel shake/shimmy. I had a 2014 Ram Longhorn with 62K miles and other than 5 software updates, I have never had a problem with it. I traded only because the warranty had run out. Thanks again to all for taking the time to read/reply. If there are any updates I will let you know.
     
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  8. Apr 19, 2019 at 6:33 AM
    #8
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Try another truck on the lot
     
  9. Apr 19, 2019 at 6:38 AM
    #9
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    Depending on what the contact at Toyota tells me today I might just do this. Thanks.
     
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  10. Apr 19, 2019 at 6:41 AM
    #10
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Good luck man. Hope it works out for you sir!
     
  11. Apr 19, 2019 at 8:07 AM
    #11
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    I appreciate that. TY.
     
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  12. Apr 19, 2019 at 8:15 AM
    #12
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    Of course it's possible but two different places? Is my luck that bad?
     
  13. Apr 19, 2019 at 8:34 AM
    #13
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Probably not, now that you mentioned two different shops..
     
  14. Apr 19, 2019 at 8:44 AM
    #14
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    I suspected this early on which is why I had the backs swapped with the fronts. Didn't make a difference at all. In fact, it seemed to had gotten worse after doing this. That's when I got the dealer involved. After three road-force balance and new tires it hasn't gotten any better. Thank you for your thoughts.
     
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  15. Apr 19, 2019 at 8:46 AM
    #15
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    So there was some change when you rotated them? See if they will swap rims with another truck on the lot. I don’t see how much further it can be from rims, tires or wheel bearings. Maybe even the possibility of a bent axle but that would be in the rear. Maybe they can check the run out on the wheel hubs for you.

    Bound to be a lemon in every bunch I guess. I’m just hoping we can keep you in the tundra and your issue gets resolved.
     
  16. Apr 19, 2019 at 11:13 AM
    #16
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    I demanded that they swap the wheels/tires off of a new Tundra on their lot and that's when the General Manager of the dealership got involved. He told me that he would install different tires and he brought up Michelin Defenders. I had never even heard of these on the Tundras since most come with Bridgestones. Yes, to your point, I have come to suspect the rims but the fronts were swapped with the backs at one time and it made no difference. What are the odds that I have more than one bent rim? The shimmy always starts above 55mph. However, once I hit 70 it gets a little better. This is why I really do not believe that it's the rims. Please correct me if I'm incorrect.

    Like I have mentioned previously, regardless of speed, the steering wheel goes crazy each time I hit a bump or uneven spot. Then the steering wheel reacts violently. I have to grip both hands on the steering wheel on rougher pavement. My steering wheel jerks to the left or right like someone is grabbing the wheel out of my hands. Funny thing is the Tacoma and the 4 Runner (loaners) that I had been given to drive while my truck was being checked didn't have these problems. Same roads, route, and bumps.

    Thanks for the tips and advice.
     
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  17. Apr 19, 2019 at 11:30 AM
    #17
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Well when you said it got worse when you switched the backs to the front it led me to believe it was the rims at that point. I know my truck is really smooth. Except for a little bed bounce on certain sections of concrete highway.
     
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  18. Apr 19, 2019 at 11:34 AM
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    joonbug

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    A bent wheel will have those same symptoms so you can't really rule it out. But I am doubting you have multiple bad wheels on a brand new truck. If you changed the front to back and it either got better or worse, I'd still think it's a balancing issue. If the wheels/tires were good and you had some other problem like something in the suspension, it wouldn't get better or worse. I think you have to get another set on and see if the problem goes away.

    As for the bump steer, do you have your alignment sheet? Low caster usually causes that. I was getting violent wheel jerks with about 2.5 caster and it went away after raising the caster substantially. Offroad, the jerk was so bad, I was afraid I was going to break a finger.
     
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  19. Apr 19, 2019 at 11:40 AM
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    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    Yes, that's exactly what it feels like. I agree with you.
     
  20. Apr 19, 2019 at 11:49 AM
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    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    I will check for an alignment sheet once I get home later.
     
  21. Apr 19, 2019 at 11:52 AM
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    Ajkkane

    Ajkkane Old fart.

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    Had a car that the weight on the rotor fell out. Not sure if the tundra has weights or not. Some rotor manufactures will grind metal away from the rotor to balance others install a weight inside the fins. Hope this helps.
     
  22. Apr 19, 2019 at 12:08 PM
    #22
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the tip. I will keep this in mind.
     
  23. Apr 19, 2019 at 12:23 PM
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    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    If the steering wheel is acting violent like you describe then you have way more problems then just wheels and tires.
     
  24. Apr 19, 2019 at 12:30 PM
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    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    That's what I'm fearing. Either the dealer doesn't know what to check or look for or else they don't care and are hoping that I'll give up and go away. They claim that they have checked the struts, bearings, tie roads, etc and can find nothing wrong. That also concerns me.
     
  25. Apr 19, 2019 at 12:34 PM
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    4Runner

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    They need to give you a loaner and keep your truck until fixed. They should be able to fix this. Crazy. Good luck
     
  26. Apr 19, 2019 at 1:09 PM
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    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    It is crazy and it's about to drive me nuts. BTW, I just got off of the phone with Toyota in California and they are contacting the dealership to find out if they have contacted a Field Engineer to look at this issue. I told her that I will give it one more try before I lemon it. In our state it's 3 strikes and your out. It's been 5 attempts so far. I also demanded that they take the wheels off of another 1794 Tundra on their lot and install these on my truck. I should know something by Monday or Tuesday of next week so I will get back to you. Thanks fellas for chiming in.
     
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  27. Apr 19, 2019 at 1:37 PM
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    4Runner

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    I steering wheel shake should not come down to lemon law...even in CA. They should fix this. Keep us posted.
     
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  28. Apr 19, 2019 at 1:51 PM
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    sylvain85

    sylvain85 New Member

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    Im having a similar issue with my 2014 tss double cab. I noticed it after changing tires, swiched the bfg ko’s that came with new for amp gripper at/g, both same size 285/55r20. Had it aligned and balanced and still happening, took it back to get re-checked and nothing. Still happens at 55-65 mph. They told me it was the rims or a rim, they shiwed me how the wheel rotates outta balance when on the machine balancing but it still read as balanced. Thinking about rotating to see if that fixes it. I was also told to try hubcentric rings but havent been able to find some in town.
     
  29. Apr 19, 2019 at 1:54 PM
    #29
    MoreCowbell

    MoreCowbell [OP] New Member

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    I feel your pain. Never had this issue before with any truck that I have owned in my 50 years. I've had three F150's, a 2011 Tundra Limited Crew, a Silverado High Country, and a GMC Sierra and none of these had this problem.
     
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  30. Apr 19, 2019 at 1:55 PM
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    sylvain85

    sylvain85 New Member

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    For me its started after i got new tires, ran my bfg’s for 5 years and never had a problem.
     

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