That is some good information kneebiter, thanks for attempting to educate all of us. Did you post a link on another thread that allowed someone to find a local dealer with this equipment? I used one from an earlier post to find a dealer near where I live, but their prices are terrible.
I am just a few weeks away from new tires for my 05 and I really, really hate steering vibrations, which I do not have now. I want to do whatever I can to avoid spending big bucks for new tires and having to make lots of trips back to the tire dealer to get it all back where it is right now.
OP chiming in again. It's been a while since I've posted here, so I thought I'd give an unfortunate update. After having my new BFG's balanced with a lug centric adapter, my truck drove smooth as ice for several weeks (hence my last post). But the dreaded steering wheel shake has gradually come back. Fast forward to now and the steering wheel shake is back to its full blown glory.
So this past Saturday I called around and found a Big O Tires that had a Haweka adapter. In addition to having the Haweka, I thought it would be good to have an entirely new place work on it. So I took my truck in, paid $99 to have all four wheels Road Force balanced using the Haweka adapter, and immediately took my truck on the highway...and the flippin' thing still shakes.
I was so ticked at the time that I literally drove straight home, pulled up Chevrolet's website, and started pricing out a new truck. I've owned two Chevy's prior to the Taco and, while neither of them were trouble-free, I never had an UNFIXABLE problem with either of them. This shaking is driving me nuts and it's reached the point that I don't even think it can be fixed. Maybe I'm more anal about it than most, but it's single handedly ruining this truck for me, particulary since I put in at least 40 miles of highway driving each day.
I'm going to make one more attempt to get it fixed this weekend. Big O said they'll balance them again, but at this point I think there's about a 1% chance that will fix it.
Never did I think that I'd have this kind of problem with a Toyota. I bought this truck (my first Toyota) because I wasn't too impressed with the quality of the American trucks I've owned, but I'd do anything to have a Chevy/Ford/Dodge right now instead of my Taco. So frustrated...
Sorry to hear that you are still having your steering problem. Since the last time I posted I bought my new tires, Michelin Cross Terrains. I just had them mounted and balanced by a local Mr. Tire shop and I have no balance or wheel flutter issues at all. I know that doesn't help you much though and, just like you, I really hate steering wheel vibrations, so I guess I have been lucky. Good luck.
So, you up to trying new wheels? I've heard people that got new wheels don't have any of the steering flutter issues at all.
On the other hand, I still wonder if it has anything to do at all with the wheels or tires. As I've said before, I've had the flutter with every tire I've had (dunlops, rugged trails, BFG A/T...although the A/T has had the least amount of flutter). I and others have noted how the flutter can also occur based on the driving situation.
For the most part, I don't experience the flutter anymore except in specific situations. For example, I park my truck at a park and ride (15 miles/20 mins from home) and take the bus to work. I return about 12 1/2 hours later and now that the weather has warmed up again, the flutter returns after work. This is what's weird. No flutter in the mornings and no flutter until the weather warmed up and the truck sits at the park and ride. When I get on the freeway, it flutters really bad (temps in the mid 60s). It takes about 10 minutes for the flutter to disappear. When the weather's cold and I got on the freeway after work, no flutter.
So, I wonder what would cause the problem when the weather's warmer and why it slowly goes away after driving 10 miles. That makes me think it's something with the suspension or steering linkages. Or maybe the tires have to warm up more?
__________________
"Think Outside the Box!"
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog and Map Light Mods, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
So, you up to trying new wheels? I've heard people that got new wheels don't have any of the steering flutter issues at all.
On the other hand, I still wonder if it has anything to do at all with the wheels or tires. As I've said before, I've had the flutter with every tire I've had (dunlops, rugged trails, BFG A/T...although the A/T has had the least amount of flutter). I and others have noted how the flutter can also occur based on the driving situation.
For the most part, I don't experience the flutter anymore except in specific situations. For example, I park my truck at a park and ride (15 miles/20 mins from home) and take the bus to work. I return about 12 1/2 hours later and now that the weather has warmed up again, the flutter returns after work. This is what's weird. No flutter in the mornings and no flutter until the weather warmed up and the truck sits at the park and ride. When I get on the freeway, it flutters really bad (temps in the mid 60s). It takes about 10 minutes for the flutter to disappear. When the weather's cold and I got on the freeway after work, no flutter.
So, I wonder what would cause the problem when the weather's warmer and why it slowly goes away after driving 10 miles. That makes me think it's something with the suspension or steering linkages. Or maybe the tires have to warm up more?
I am up for trying new wheels. In fact, I'm seriously considering a small lift, along with aftermarket rims and new tires. I've wanted to do this for a while, but have been focused on resolving the flutter issue instead. Since it's reached the point that I don't think the issue can be fixed as the truck is now, I figure I might as well proceed with the lift since it's something I wanted to do anyway. It might make it better, it might make it worse. Who knows?
I actually talked to a guy yesterday that had the flutter when his Taco was stock. He then installed a 3" lift and larger wheels/tires and it stopped almost completely. I'll post with the results if/when I do the lift.
Your description of steering flutter is interesting. I've noticed a lot of guys who posted about this problem also describe the issue as being intermittent. Same for me - I drive twenty miles to work on the highway each way and almost always make the trip in the far left lane, so I know the road isn't causing the issue. On a typical day the flutter will come and go. It usually starts as soon as I first hit around 65 mph getting on the highway and then will briefly stop at some random point, then come back, stop, come back, etc. There's no consistency to what part of the highway it does and doesn't do it. It really seems to have a mind of its own.
This morning was especially odd. The steering wheel was almost perfectly smooth the entire drive. I detected just a slight flutter at one point very briefly, but otherwise it was smooth. I can't even remember the last time that happened. I'm convinced that Tacomas, and it sounds like Tundras too, have a flaw in the design of either the steering system or suspension. They just should not have this problem to the degree that they do.
Exactly. If it were out of balance tires, then it would be there constantly. It couldn't go away. But the fact that it does seems to point to something other than tires/wheels. Others and I have noticed that if you accelerate slowly getting on the freeway, then the flutter doesn't appear or at least not as bad. But if you accelerate hard (the case where I get on the freeway after work with lots of traffic and a very short on ramp...all going uphill), then the flutter is really bad.
I truly believe it's a suspension/steering design flaw.
__________________
"Think Outside the Box!"
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog and Map Light Mods, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
Re: Steering "Flutter" - Yes, I've searched...
Linear Mode
