Do you have a vibration in your 4R? Dealer having issues diagnosing? (Blaming tires?)

[Imp]

Reason I bought my Sport Premium last month , seats are fantastic. Ride was much smoother than off-road prem. Suspension different, tires different between the two. I didn't feel as many bumps, road joints, cracks in the Sport Prem than I did in the off-road prem. Why it matters to me? To remove a tumor years ago, they had to remove my tailbone and half of my L1 to get at it. I need seat comfort. The offroad was more harsh than the Sport and driving the sport during test drives, I didn't expect it to be much softer, but it was. I decided on the Sport Prem over the Offroad Prem for this singular reason... more comfortable ride. Because above reason)

They can't isolate, identify or get rid of the vibration in my Sport Prem. Bought it last month, and it's so bad, I'm opening up a case with Toyota because they are already on the "last chance" phase of lemon law (three tires have been done already, with one final by law left in my state).

Vibration can be felt in: steering, feet, base of seat, back of seat, hand on headliner in front of sunroof (closed completely). I have been very clear since attempt #1 there's a vibration, and have agreed to their attempts at resolution. However, in every stage I have suggested they check: axles, driveshaft play, ujoints, and differential. They claim all good there.

Dunlop Grandtek PT5A tires (As delivered):
Attempt 1: I clearly identified the vehicle has a vibration. They offered to rebalance/roadforce the Dunlop as delivered tires. It took a few days for it to appear, or for me to feel, it because not getting up to any speed above 60 on my commute (and still break-in, avoiding highway). Made appointment for:

Attempt 2: The roadforced the Dunlop tires (was told they only re-balanced last time, didn't roadforce, when I was told they DID roadforce after attempt #1). Found three of the four to be very out of spec. Ordered 3 new dunlops. Lead tech and service asst mgr took it out for a ride. They said they didn't feel anything after replacing the tires. Picked up car a few days later waiting for them to come in, be road forced, and put on. On way home: didn't feel vibration (no highway). Until a few days later driving highway speeds, worse than I felt during attempt number 1. Made appointment. Spoke with service manager regarding concerns and checking components. "We did".

Attempt 3: Took lead tech out for a ride as passenger. He was adamant there was no vibration after attempt #2. About 1 mile on the highway "can you feel that?" "Yes. All of it". Drive 6 miles on highway and the whole time there was vibration. Came back, left car. Regional rep got involved. Dealer replaced (their decision/cost) all Dunlops with Yoko Geolandar X-CV G057. Even regional guy took it out, with service guy. No vibration was felt, they said. Wife and I drive away toward highway... Woof. Much harsher sidewall. Feel every bump. Remember, above I bought the Sport Prem because of the ride quality, evidently it was the softer sidewalls in the dunlops. So, I'm really not happy after a mile or so. Hit highway. Vibration exists STILL. Lessened. But it's still there. Turned around at next exit and went back to dealer right then.

They're stumped (after a discussion with lead tech, asst service and servce mgr in office). We're (wife and I) a bit dismayed. Not only did ride quality suffer (and they know that their choice in tire has not met my initial sales requirement, and a change to much harsher tires after sale is not satisfactory in the least), they're on their last chance now to fix. How can you NOT feel the vibration and say it's fixed? Even the regional rep said he didn't feel it after the change. I also tell all of them I know it's not their fault. This is Toyotas issue to fix. They delivered a vehicle that may have bigger issues that haven't come to light yet (or, they know and are waiting for people to speak up). I'm on their side to get a remedy, but they blew 3 chances at fixing. They have 5 more days in their last attempt once I do bring it back. (15 days by law out of service for same issue).

So, are you dealing (or fixed) with vibration? What was done to totally get rid of it? What are you feeling?

Edit: 2:15 pm 9/20
I checked the tire pressure this morning and it was 43!
Plus: The harshness has gone down by lowering to 33.
Negative: vibration is exactly where it was before the new tires, and more noticeable.
Synopsis: They knew. They rose the tire pressure to hide the vibration with the new tires until it wasn't as noticeable, or so they thought.

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[brumey]

I have not had the vibration you describe so cannot help in that area.

Wow... I really think you need to get them to buy it back and use the money to get a smother vehicle. Lexus maybe. Do you really need the body on frame or would a unibody work. I was staring to look at vehicles with air suspension. Of course, they cost more but are better over bad roads. I really don't think the 4Runner is for you unless you have a strong reason to want that model.

Don't let Toyota off the hook on this one.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I have not had any issues. I suggest you try to get the dealer to buy the vehicle back from you and you move on to another vehicle. Otherwise, you are going to be just waiting for the vibration to reappear, if they ever do make it disappear. Move on to another vehicle, I suggest.

 

[4RunnerTony]

I also have the Sport Premium but no issues. Have you tried changing the rims as well and not just the tires?

 

[Gumpus]

Sorry for your ordeal I used to work in noise and vibration. Dealers don't have much diagnostic capability but some are better than others. Your dealer sounds flat out incompetent (or lazy).

They say they checked components like axles? That is BS. They have no way of doing that. Ask them how they checked. Did they point out that driveshafts and wheels spin at different frequencies so it's easy to rule out one or the other?

They found 3 bad tires through road force balance? Did they check the road force on the new tires before installing? What was the road force? Then they swapped all 4? What was the road force on those?

Ask them to show you the diagnostic procedure they followed. Dealers usually have a simple frequency analyzer and you'd first measure the vibration at a customer touch point and then measure various spots around the vehicle to look for sources.

Unfortunately your dealer sounds clueless and apparently is only capable of trial and error part swapping.

 

[Imp]

Edit: 2:15 pm 9/20
I checked the tire pressure this morning and it was 43!
Plus: The harshness has gone down by lowering to 33.
Negative: vibration is exactly where it was before the new tires, and more noticeable.
Synopsis: They knew. They rose the tire pressure to hide the vibration with the new tires until it wasn't as noticeable, or so they thought.

 

[Imp]

Sorry for your ordeal I used to work in noise and vibration. Dealers don't have much diagnostic capability but some are better than others. Your dealer sounds flat out incompetent (or lazy).

They say they checked components like axles? That is BS. They have no way of doing that. Ask them how they checked. Did they point out that driveshafts and wheels spin at different frequencies so it's easy to rule out one or the other?

They found 3 bad tires through road force balance? Did they check the road force on the new tires before installing? What was the road force? Then they swapped all 4? What was the road force on those?

Ask them to show you the diagnostic procedure they followed. Dealers usually have a simple frequency analyzer and you'd first measure the vibration at a customer touch point and then measure various spots around the vehicle to look for sources.

Unfortunately your dealer sounds clueless and apparently is only capable of trial and error part swapping.

Yep. THey said they roadforced the new tires also. Values were all 6 or under. I know that's a good number. Also, roadforcing should be checking the wheels for bending/eccentricity, yeah? No wheels have been swapped. But that's not on me to solve.

You can check axles for play (ujoints and driveshafts too) You can check differentials for sound and fluids.

 

[Nodak]

get rid of the grandtrek's. they are horrible tires after a year. had them on my 14R limited and promptly got rid of them after 1 year. horrible in winters and average for summer/rain.

and the dealer should be following the door jamb sticker for tire psi for oem tires.

 

[markusSR5]

FWIW, I have had this issues before and my new SR5 has it now. The OEM Bridgestone Duelers have been road force balanced 3 times now and everything checks out ok according to dealer. In my experience, everywhere you go on any given day will road force balanced the tires and say they were out of balance, but that they should be good to go now. The reality IMO is that you got a bad set of tires that will not truly balance properly. Last time I had this experience, a new set of Michelins completely fixed the problem. I am getting a new set of tires tomorrow on my SR5, that I am hoping will eliminate the high speed shaking. I will have to report back if my inclination holds true this time as well.

 

[Nodak]

another note, just because they say they road forced the tires, do they actually have a hunter road force machine. shouldnt be hard to see one in the bay. look for a metal drum at least on the machine.

the more expensive one has laser bar above the machine front.

 

[Stormie_SS]

Sucks you're dealing with this. I commented on the other thread with the details of my vibration. I ended up getting new wheels and tires (I was planning on this anyway, just was going to do it when my stock tires were done) and for the most part the vibration is gone. Now, the ride definitely changed with the new tires and I can feel every little bump, crack or unevenness in the road and even feel it sway. I went up in size from 265/70/18 to 285/70/18 and a stiffer tire which I expected some change in ride. I am also running them at 35psi cold where the stock tires I ran at 32psi.
Hope you get some resolution and can enjoy your ride.

 

[THNC6G]

I have wheel vibration issues onm y Trailhunter, which i purchased on July 31st. 3 techs drove it and said they didn't find any issues and said it was just the natural feel of the Old Man Emus suspension - BS! I took the service manager out on a section of newly paved highway and he immediately called out the vibration. I left it with them. They replaced 2 tires since they couldn't roadforce balance them. When 2 new tires arrived, 1 of them balanced fine, but they said they would make the 2nd one work. Lol - red flag. In the meantime, they cracked my windshield while test driving, which they replaced foc, of course. They too tried to use the "increase the pressure to 44 lbs trick" but I called them out on that.
Long story short, wheels are balanced fi e up until about 70 mph, but still have a vibration after that. Im fed up at this point and will just replace the tires myself with G3s or something once I decide to go on a long trip. I dont trust the dealer to continue to do work on my vehicle so will bite the bullet and get my own tires. Note that the oem tires are not retail spec and only have about a 9/32 tread depth, so will prob only last 10k miles to begin with. Pretty cheap of Toyota to sell us $72k vehicles with substandard tires. We need to all go on NHTSA site and file a complaint. This will get their attention and is the "only" way to get a recall for these tires. Very disappointed i. TOYOTA. Should've kept my 2024 Offroad Prem...

 

[THNC6G]

FWIW, I have had this issues before and my new SR5 has it now. The OEM Bridgestone Duelers have been road force balanced 3 times now and everything checks out ok according to dealer. In my experience, everywhere you go on any given day will road force balanced the tires and say they were out of balance, but that they should be good to go now. The reality IMO is that you got a bad set of tires that will not truly balance properly. Last time I had this experience, a new set of Michelins completely fixed the problem. I am getting a new set of tires tomorrow on my SR5, that I am hoping will eliminate the high speed shaking. I will have to report back if my inclination holds true this time as well.

Did you get the new tires and did it resolve your vibration issues?

 

[THNC6G]

I have wheel vibration issues onm y Trailhunter, which i purchased on July 31st. 3 techs drove it and said they didn't find any issues and said it was just the natural feel of the Old Man Emus suspension - BS! I took the service manager out on a section of newly paved highway and he immediately called out the vibration. I left it with them. They replaced 2 tires since they couldn't roadforce balance them. When 2 new tires arrived, 1 of them balanced fine, but they said they would make the 2nd one work. Lol - red flag. In the meantime, they cracked my windshield while test driving, which they replaced foc, of course. They too tried to use the "increase the pressure to 44 lbs trick" but I called them out on that.
Long story short, wheels are balanced fi e up until about 70 mph, but still have a vibration after that. Im fed up at this point and will just replace the tires myself with G3s or something once I decide to go on a long trip. I dont trust the dealer to continue to do work on my vehicle so will bite the bullet and get my own tires. Note that the oem tires are not retail spec and only have about a 9/32 tread depth, so will prob only last 10k miles to begin with. Pretty cheap of Toyota to sell us $72k vehicles with substandard tires. We need to all go on NHTSA site and file a complaint. This will get their attention and is the "only" way to get a recall for these tires. Very disappointed i. TOYOTA. Should've kept my 2024 Offroad Prem...

I just received a note from my dealer, which I have posted below. If there are any lawyers here, we need to get a class action lawsuit going against Toyota.
From dealer:
"I understand your concern but unfortunately we've done everything we could for your car at a dealership level and toyota did send a rep to confirm the vehicle after the tire replacement and he did say this was an acceptable vibration for this vehicle of this trim level."
This is a bunch of BS. Seems like that they are being told to just replace 2 tires on all vehicles, washing their hands of the issue. Only a class action will stop their nonsense. Lost all respect for Toyota. Will never buy another one. Then again, I will prob just go and buy my own tires and see if this resolves it. Hate to go to all this trouble and not spend an extra $1500 to save myself further headaches. No, I shouldn't have to pay out of pocket, but peace of.mind makes it worth it.

 

[THNC6G]

I suggest everyone having wheel vibration issues to file a complaint with the NHTSA. Here is the link:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

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