Are 4runners prone to vibration or shake in steering wheel when approaching freeway speeds

The original Duelers on my 2019 rode like glass for 92k miles, at which point I replaced them with Continental Terrain Contact AT tires. These are good, too, with the only noticeable difference being a small amount of shake from what I assume to be flat spots in cold weather after sitting a day or two. That goes away in 3-4 miles. But no, I don't have any 'inherent' steering wheel shake/vibration.

 

My 2022 sr5 premium was terrible to the point of where I traded it in in less than a year with 7,000 miles. Dealer couldn’t fix the shimmy, 2 other trusted shops were baffled and no fixes, this was with multiple balances, and even new tires. Wandered a lot on highway as well even though alignment was perfect. My parents have a 2019 that is fine. The sales guy who sold the runner to my parents purchased a 2022 and also has shimmy issues. Seems hit or miss, I NEVER had a vehicle with balance issues, if it was a balance issue it would happen All the time

 

I've noticed it on everyone except the pro models seem to be less or no vibration. Probably due to suspension. I also make sure all my tires are properly inflated. My Tacoma Pro has zero vibration. The 4runner 85% none once in a while a bit.

 

My 2021 Limited has but the crazy thing is it is not happening every time. 2 sets of tires, 3 balances. It comes and goes and no one can figure out why. Example yesterday I took exactly same route as today. Yesterday had a decent amount of shimmy today nothing. Only difference was less fuel today and yesterday tire pressure showed 40 on the display, today 39. Also happened only once but it was so bad I could not drive over 45 as could not hold the steering wheel it was rocking left and right so strong. Came home, was thinking of going to the dealer but when started next morning, noting but butter smooth.

 

Mine comes and goes. Oddly enough, it seems to be somewhat temperature dependent too. In the colder weather it's barely noticeable, but the past two days it's been unseasonably warm and at anything over about 62 MPH the steering wheel is vibrating like a paint shaker.

Sometimes I wonder if it has something to do with these shank style lug nuts. I've never owned a vehicle without acorn nuts before, these wheels seem much more finicky to get on properly.

 

I also wonder if lugnuts, or seating the wheel on a nice clean surface, or something about mounting the wheels plays a part. I tend to be pretty picky about cleaning all surfaces and the bore before putting the wheels back on. Same with evenly and progressively torquing the lug nuts just to make sure it centers perfectly.

 

I went through four sets of tires (all stock size) and five different shops trying to balance the 4Runner. Closest I got before it was solved was a Toyota dealer that claimed to use the Haweka adapter, tires at that time were the garbage Nittos. It was good until the next tire rotation and the shake came back. No one from the dealer to reputable 4x4 shops could get it nailed down.

What solved my issue....a local tire shop in Maine with the Haweka adapter and Michelin LTX AT2 tires. Absolutely perfect, have rotated recently and zero shake. When I called they immediately said we fix a lot of 4Runner steering shake issues. Running stock 32 PSI.

I also make sure when I pull the wheels off and put them back on, I do an initial torque of about 45 ft/lbs in the air and then lower the truck so the tire is barely touching the floor and torque to factory specs in the proper pattern.

 

Interesting, sucks if that’s the case that there are only a few places that can fix it and every time you need tires you have to drive 1500 miles each way LOL

 

Same. I've only had the wheels off a few times, but I did notice that It seemed to take a lot of care to make sure all the lugs were centered and I did gradually torque them all.

Before a road trip last fall, I pulled one of the front wheels to check the brakes. Put the wheel back on, taking care to make sure all the lugs were centered and torqued correctly. Next time I had it on the highway, I noticed that the vibration was all but gone. That didn't last, but it did make me wonder.

I wonder if it's sensitive to tire PSI. I also notice different road surfaces effect it as well. When I get on the highway leaving work, I can feel it pretty good, then about 3 miles later I hit a stretch that's been more recently repaved and it definitely decreases.

I have 150k miles, I have a lift I'm going to install soon, thinking I might go through the front end and do all new front end parts then get a really good alignment. Wasn't necessarily planning on upgrading the tires, but I may do it just to get a fresh start with new tires that hopefully don't have the balancing issues.

I also could just bite the bullet and then get the current tires rebalanced, it just seems like people have multiple rounds of balancing, and I really don't want to just keep throwing money at that on half worn tires.

 

I live about 20 mins from the shop that fixed the issue.

 

I said that for people like me!

 

Just drove my 2022 pro from Phoenix to Hilton head sc. zero shake at any point nitro tires at 37 psi.

 

Put on new 22's with new tires, and so far so good....

 

Good to know DudeinAZ. Thanks.

 

My pro has a shake at about 58mph until 62mph, but only if the tires are below 34 psi (35 when loaded). It is really sensitive, 33.75….shimmy.

 

Meant to say nitto tires not nitro