Found the cause of my excessive vibration

I have been working at Toyota dealership for over 14 years, after many different Toyota’s , finally decided to get a 4Runner Trd Pro. First day I drove it home felt a little vibration and thought to myself maybe it’s The Nitto Grappler tires and needed to be broken in. After 2 weeks got in on highway and vibration was unbearable. Spoke to my service manager and he suggested doing road force balancing. One tire was so bad that it couldn’t be balanced. Replaced the tire and all smooth now. Hopefully this helps.

 

welcome

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

I've replaced all tires, wheels, had them balanced more times than I can count, multiple alignments and replaced brake rotors. Still have the shimmy. I've given up.

 

something to perhaps look into are DynaBeads Tire Balancing Beads (innovativebalancing.com)

no i don't work for or with them or have any affiliation whatsoever.

Used to use these on my motorcycles (crotch rockets). balancing when at 120+mph a big deal.

Never used 'em in a car/truck myself..... and as i type this im scratching my head duh why not - at the time it was only in my head for high speed.
Anyway - It's been years since i rode bikes - your post had this flashback - perhaps something there for you perhaps not

 

I got my rig a month ago and have 1500 miles. After 100 miles, i installed my 33s with balance beads and haven’t had any issues. Make sure you go with their recommended for your size, or more.

My brother put 6oz in his based on their website, but after speaking with the manufacturer, they advised 10oz and his shimmy went away.

 

I remember having a third-generation and buying a new set of Michelins that could not be balanced, I think at one point the idiot Southeast Toyota tech had weights going around the entire circumference of the steel wheel.

They blamed it on improper storage and shipping of the tires, but I wonder if it’s something else.

But they refused to take the tires back and they were actually suggesting shaving one of the tires down because of “high speed harmonics” or some other BS.

 

Welcome!

 

According to a service rep that no longer is employed with Toyota, he said that when the lugs are overtightened they are denting something causing the vibration. He said its pivotal on the 4Runner that they lugs are not overtightened. No clue if true but he seemed pretty confident in what he was saying.

 

FWIW, between 2 4runners and a lot of miles, I'm on my third set of Michelin Defenders and each set has run smooth as glass on the highway. I have always heard that Michelins are among the easiest tires to balance.

 

Thank you everyone for warm welcome.

 

Welcome to the Forum from Texas.

 

I've had Michelins on the last 7 vehicles I've owned, and I have the Defenders on my current 2019 4runner. Unfortunately, they are not the optimum tire for Moab or the TN mountains which is where I'm heading soon so the Defenders, with 8K miles, are being replaced with BFG KO2s in order to accommodate the trails ahead. The Michelin is an outstanding tire - I hope I'm as happy with the KO2s....

 

welcome to the forum