Vibration issues: What tires and package (Off-road, Sport, etc.)?

[Turtle]

Steering wheel shimmy at hwy speeds of 60-70: if you have had this problem with your truck can you post what model Tacoma you have and any TRD packages (off-road, sport, 4x4, pre-runner 4x2, etc.)
Also, have you replaced your OEM tires with a different tire? If so, which ones? Any info. would be VERY helpful!! Thanks.

[redrocket]

Turtle,
I have an '05, DC, Long Bed, 4.0L. I tried a number of things. When I first got my truck I put Michelin LTX M/S 265 x 16 70R tires on it. They worked and look great. No shimmy when new.
After about 30000 miles I started having some shimmy. I made Discount tire use the lug-centric adapter for balancing when I rotated tires, and that helped, but not always.
Next I added some Super Springs, more for stability than for load carrying.
That didn't solve the shimmy. So I put Bilstein BE5-C515-H0 shocks on the rear, and had the front end aligned. Things were a little better but not perfect.
Finally I put BE5-C515-H0 shocks on the front. Presto - new truck ride!
I have no more shimmy and the truck rides firm and stable but not too rough. I have over 60000 miles on my Taco and it is still riding true and straight.
Also, with the old shocks, when behind 18-wheelers, it felt like my truck was trying to veer left and right involuntarily. I haven't been behind too many 18-wheelers with the new shocks and springs, but it seems when I have, so far it tracks well. I do still feel a little buffeting behind them.... so I pass em now!
PS, with my SuperSprings, I hauled 1400 pounds of bricks in the bed and they did not bottom out. I still had about 2.5 inches clearance between the bumper stop and the frame. Hope that helps...

[flyman767]

Steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds is usually almost always caused by tires not being properly balanced. Could also be a bad wheel/tire and or rack. The only sure way to ascertain an accurate balance, as redrocket stated, is to use a lug-centric adapter. This, if it was me, is where I would start; followed by rotating the tires to determine if you have a bad tire or bent rim.

[Bravo_Echo_November]

Originally Posted by redrocket

Turtle,

Finally I put BE5-C515-H0 shocks on the front. Presto - new truck ride!
I have no more shimmy and the truck rides firm and stable but not too rough. I have over 60000 miles on my Taco and it is still riding true and straight.

I thought BES-C515-H0s were for the rear. Are you sure you didn't install BES-C513-H0s on the front? Please confirm, cause I'd like to take this route I think.

[redrocket]

My bad! Sorry, I get dyslexic every now and then. Yep, C513 on the front and the C515 on the back. Here is the link I used to order them. Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com
You will like the shocks for sure!

[FRiZzO]

I put BFG 265/75/16 All Terrains on my Factory off-road rims. I got to 60km/h and it would start to vibrate for sure. Took them back to be balanced and they said " Yeah they were out , should be good now" . It started to do the same thing at 75km/h. I figured screw takin it back to those guys they don't know what they are doing. So I took it to another tire place. Guy there said " Wow these were way out , they are all zeroed now" I take the truck for a spin and precisely at 80km/h it started to vibrate the steering wheel. By this time Im feeling my face get hot and I'm pissed off.

I was scheduled to take my 05' access cab in for the bumper mount tsb at my Toyota dealer and I asked if they could check the balance of my tires. Welp got my truck back bumper mount fixed and they said that the tires were balanced the best they could. I took it for a spin and to my amazement there was no shimmying or vibration. The manager told me they had to add weights to the outside of the rims and that was the only way they could get these tires balanced.

Hope this helps and makes sense, tis 1:10am and im hitin the sack

[jimmerheck]

Have an 06 Access Cab 4X4 Sport, Bridgestone 17" stock tires and wheels. All stock. Has vibrated at 53 to 65 mph since the day I bought it. Took it back to the dealer, left it all day, on the phone they said they test drove it, and couldnt feel it. Went to go get it and then they did say they are having a lot of vibration issues, and then admitted, they felt it, but didnt think it was bad. After I drove all the way there to pick it up! Wasnt too happy about that! They said they have had a lot of others that were worse. Has had tires rotated, the same vibes even after, havent had rebalancing yet.
Anyone who has ever been in it can feel it. Not too bad, but you can definitely feel it. Feels like a high speed vibration, like driveline or tranny or transfer case. Not in the steering wheel, but the whole truck.
Did some looking on my own, found the driveline carrier bearing not centered, so the driveline wasnt straight. Read about some guys shimming the rear end to change the pinion angle. Added 2.5 degree shims. Did these one at a time, either one didnt help though. Am waiting to take it back in. My friend bought an 07 double cab 4X4 sport, his does not vibrate at high speeds, but vibes at around 25mph when decelerating. But he asked the local dealer, the dealer admitted that Toyota knows about all the vibe issues, and will soon issue a TSB. Said 4 runners vibed also, they figured them out, the Tacomas will be next. Vancouver Toyota in Vanc. WA if you were curious as to who said this. Dont know the guys name though. Prob wont admit it over the phone.

[cameron39]

It's time to replace my tires...
Right now the truck ('05 DC TRD Sport 4x4 shortbed) has Dunlop P265/65 R17 AT20 tires.
What does everyone recommend? Next, given the balance issues from other threads, can only a dealer really do a good job at this? If not, the (if possible) any recommendations for the Atlanta area?
Thanks!