Hello,
I've been on the site for some time now and have found some great info... but I still can't find the solution to my vibration issue.
Car vibrates at 35 and 65 mainly, seems to do it more initially after starting to drive and gets better later.
I've tried having the tires balanced with HAWEKA adapters to some improvement, but still there.
It's a 97 T-100 4x4 SR-5 with around 117,000 miles on it. Crappy BIG-O tires with around 15,000 miles left on em.
I had it up on the lift and the tires feel solid up and down, but when I pull them left and right the entire rack and pinion mech moves a little (normal???)
I love the hell out of this T-100, but this vibration thing is driving me nuts.....

Any ideals?

Thanks, and great forum guys,

Vern

I believe you are looking in the right place. It is nearly impossible to get replacement tires that are as round as OEM. In a thread on another forum (not a 4X4 forum) a couple of the posters were former tire manufacturer employees. According to them the tire manufacturers have a "final final" inspection stage. The best tires go to the auto manufacturers. The next quality level down goes to retailers. Some retailers, such as Sears, with large enough volume, get the better quality tires.

In another Toyota forum, a thread on this subject pointed out that Toyota tires should be balanced on a machine that centers the wheel on the lug bolt pattern instead of the center hole of the wheel. I would find out how your shop did the job. That might help.

That's what the Haweka adapter is called... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Have you had your tires checked for being out of round or had them road force balanced? That said, IMHO, you're probably better off replacing the crappy tires rather than throwing a bunch of dough at them to make them behave. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Oops--I wondered what that word was.

Thanks for the replies....
No, I haven't had the tires checked yet, problem being, I haven't found a shop that has both the Haweka adapter and a GSP9700 balancer (http://www.gadgetonline.com/vibration.htm)
Also, the places that have a GSP9700 want around 15 bucks a tire to check them, before I do that I wanted to make sure it's not a problem with the rack and pinion.
Is it normal to be loose from side to side when the truck is on the lift. The bearings feel tight when I try to move the tire up and down. Also, would rack and pinion cause vibration only at certain speeds?

Thanks, Vern

First of all a 97 T100 4x4 should have a recurculating ball type steering system not rack + pinion.Check your idler and tie rod ends.Crappy tires will magnify any worn frontend part issues.

Ditto... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I've lived with a vibration problem since I bought my truck. I finally concluded that it is crappy tires. Mine will have vibration most of the time but sometimes it feels great. Smooth as glass. A mechanical problem would just get worse but tires change due to road surface or temperature.

Balancing didn't help. In fact in some cases it made it worse. Rotation would also make it worse. The best fix was to rotate, drive 1000 miles to set the new pattern, and then balance. Worked for awhile but still there is a vibration.

I would suggest replacing your tires or living with it. I'm planning on getting rid of mine in a few months after I've put some more miles on them.

Good luck!

Try finding a Les Schwab or other tire place that has a "road force" tire balancer. These can tell you if you have tire irregularities (IOW, crappy tires).

Thanks for all the info,
Sounds like the vibration is most likely coming from the Crap-O (BIG-O) tires.
Since the post I rotated my tires and noticed the vibration is a little better. Possibly one of the front tires was out of whack and is now on the rear of the truck where it causes less vibration.
I may get those checked out soon with the road force equipment.
Shedman, let me know what happens when you get new tires, and I'll do the same.

Thanks,
Vern