Vibration when driving
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
Vibration when driving
Hi All -
Wondering if someone can point in the right direction?
I am getting this slight vibration in the front on my 2003 GX470 (with close to 160K miles) when driving. It seems to go in-an-out. I tends to happen on acceleration sometimes and braking sometimes. I have not noticed a pattern. My wife doesn't notice it, but it drives me crazy.
I feel like I have tried everything to get it to go away. Here is a list:
I recently changed out the front wheel bearing/hubs (on both sides). The driver side was definitely going bad.
I have new calipers, new brake pads, and turned down rotors (within the past 4 months).
I just replaced the upper and lower ball joints on both sides (with the past 4 months).
I checked the front axle fluid and ensured it was full.
Just had wheels load forced balanced, and aligned.
It just won't go away. I have not replaced the UCA or LCA bushings. I should also mention I converted to the mechanical front and rear shocks and springs (respectively).
Anyone have an idea of where to go next? This is driving me mad!
Wondering if someone can point in the right direction?
I am getting this slight vibration in the front on my 2003 GX470 (with close to 160K miles) when driving. It seems to go in-an-out. I tends to happen on acceleration sometimes and braking sometimes. I have not noticed a pattern. My wife doesn't notice it, but it drives me crazy.
I feel like I have tried everything to get it to go away. Here is a list:
I recently changed out the front wheel bearing/hubs (on both sides). The driver side was definitely going bad.
I have new calipers, new brake pads, and turned down rotors (within the past 4 months).
I just replaced the upper and lower ball joints on both sides (with the past 4 months).
I checked the front axle fluid and ensured it was full.
Just had wheels load forced balanced, and aligned.
It just won't go away. I have not replaced the UCA or LCA bushings. I should also mention I converted to the mechanical front and rear shocks and springs (respectively).
Anyone have an idea of where to go next? This is driving me mad!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 37
From: MD
Were the control arms replaced with the ball joints?
What about the sway bar bushings which are known to wear out? Although the symptoms you describe don't sound like bad bushings but who knows.
Sounds like you've addressed just about everything else.
What about the sway bar bushings which are known to wear out? Although the symptoms you describe don't sound like bad bushings but who knows.
Sounds like you've addressed just about everything else.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
Replaced sway bar bushings and links. I used Moog aftermarket on those. Probably should have used OEM looking back.
I appreciate the response!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 37
From: MD
Bad control arm bushings can cause vibration. I am always a fan of using oem parts when doing suspension work unless upgrading of course.
By chance did the shop that did your Road Force balance give you a print out actually showing you the tires were properly balanced? I can't tell you how many times I've paid to have my tires RF balanced and the tech did a poor job and I continued to have vibration problems at speed only to get it fixed at another shop. The problem shop last time was a Lexus dealer. Not all techs who balance tires esp on a RF machine are created equal.
By chance did the shop that did your Road Force balance give you a print out actually showing you the tires were properly balanced? I can't tell you how many times I've paid to have my tires RF balanced and the tech did a poor job and I continued to have vibration problems at speed only to get it fixed at another shop. The problem shop last time was a Lexus dealer. Not all techs who balance tires esp on a RF machine are created equal.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 920
From: wa
Did you examine all the control arm bushings for drying/cracking/splitting/etc.?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
Vibration is in the steering wheel. I feel it mostly on acceleration and braking. It happens at both high and low speeds.
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Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
Bad control arm bushings can cause vibration. I am always a fan of using oem parts when doing suspension work unless upgrading of course.
By chance did the shop that did your Road Force balance give you a print out actually showing you the tires were properly balanced? I can't tell you how many times I've paid to have my tires RF balanced and the tech did a poor job and I continued to have vibration problems at speed only to get it fixed at another shop. The problem shop last time was a Lexus dealer. Not all techs who balance tires esp on a RF machine are created equal.
By chance did the shop that did your Road Force balance give you a print out actually showing you the tires were properly balanced? I can't tell you how many times I've paid to have my tires RF balanced and the tech did a poor job and I continued to have vibration problems at speed only to get it fixed at another shop. The problem shop last time was a Lexus dealer. Not all techs who balance tires esp on a RF machine are created equal.
I did not trust this place. I told the guy that GX470 are very sensitive to wheel imbalance; the reason I wanted the tires RFB. He told me that all road force balance does is “tell you if you have a bad tire”. They charged me $120 for an alignment. My chamber was 0.1 degrees out. Everything else was in spec. I guess technically, they performed an alignment. Also told me they thought my front wheel bearing was going out. I told them that was interesting since I replaced both fronts less than a month ago. It was Koyo bearings but the way. They then told me I could have a bad bearing out of the box.
Regarding the bushing, it looks dried, but still 100% present. No parts missing.
There is no play in the wheel. I will go back out today and recheck and get pics of the bushings.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 37
From: MD
It might be worth finding another reputable shop to rebalance your tires before messing the bushings.
I'm usually not a fan of chains for a variety of reasons but our local NTB has a fantastic reputation and they just installed a new laser balancing machine. They did a terrific job installing/balancing my heavy Cooper AT3 ltx tires on our Tundra and later relatively low profile Michelins on our LX. Our local Mr Tire is pretty good too. They installed the same Coopers mentioned above on our GX.
I'm usually not a fan of chains for a variety of reasons but our local NTB has a fantastic reputation and they just installed a new laser balancing machine. They did a terrific job installing/balancing my heavy Cooper AT3 ltx tires on our Tundra and later relatively low profile Michelins on our LX. Our local Mr Tire is pretty good too. They installed the same Coopers mentioned above on our GX.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,645
Likes: 813
From: NC
I also think the most likely reason is the tires need balancing (again).
Where did they put the weights - currently? Are they all in one position or spread out? How much weight did they use?
Because sometimes the tire needs to be rotated on the wheel to cancel out any individual heavy spots. A lazy tire tech will just keep adding weights.
But also - how are the shocks? They may not be leaking but are they doing their job? In bad cases you'll see "stripes" on the tire tread from where it's been bouncing.
Ideally, your tire shop has one of these:
https://www.hunter.com/wheel-balance...-force-elite/?
Chip H.
Where did they put the weights - currently? Are they all in one position or spread out? How much weight did they use?
Because sometimes the tire needs to be rotated on the wheel to cancel out any individual heavy spots. A lazy tire tech will just keep adding weights.
But also - how are the shocks? They may not be leaking but are they doing their job? In bad cases you'll see "stripes" on the tire tread from where it's been bouncing.
Ideally, your tire shop has one of these:
https://www.hunter.com/wheel-balance...-force-elite/?
Chip H.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 555
From: WPG, MB
Jack the front of the truck off the ground, and give each front tire a solid, back and forth shake in both the side to side, and up and down positions, and make sure there's no play you can feel when grabbing on opposite edges and push/pulling a few times.
The shady alignment and tire balancing shops sucks to deal with. It would be well worth paying more to have it done right the 1st time for things like that.
The shady alignment and tire balancing shops sucks to deal with. It would be well worth paying more to have it done right the 1st time for things like that.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
I also think the most likely reason is the tires need balancing (again).
Where did they put the weights - currently? Are they all in one position or spread out? How much weight did they use?
Because sometimes the tire needs to be rotated on the wheel to cancel out any individual heavy spots. A lazy tire tech will just keep adding weights.
But also - how are the shocks? They may not be leaking but are they doing their job? In bad cases you'll see "stripes" on the tire tread from where it's been bouncing.
Ideally, your tire shop has one of these:
https://www.hunter.com/wheel-balance...-force-elite/?
Chip H.
Where did they put the weights - currently? Are they all in one position or spread out? How much weight did they use?
Because sometimes the tire needs to be rotated on the wheel to cancel out any individual heavy spots. A lazy tire tech will just keep adding weights.
But also - how are the shocks? They may not be leaking but are they doing their job? In bad cases you'll see "stripes" on the tire tread from where it's been bouncing.
Ideally, your tire shop has one of these:
https://www.hunter.com/wheel-balance...-force-elite/?
Chip H.
Shocks are relatively new. I converted to the mechanical coil over strut. That being said, they are not a name brand. If anyone has a good suggestion for coil over struts, I am all ears.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
Jack the front of the truck off the ground, and give each front tire a solid, back and forth shake in both the side to side, and up and down positions, and make sure there's no play you can feel when grabbing on opposite edges and push/pulling a few times.
The shady alignment and tire balancing shops sucks to deal with. It would be well worth paying more to have it done right the 1st time for things like that.
The shady alignment and tire balancing shops sucks to deal with. It would be well worth paying more to have it done right the 1st time for things like that.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: NC
So, I checked the front struts again. Driver side was definitely bad. They had less than 25K miles on them. Purchased them as a kit from Suncore. Re-reading the above posts, @chiph9 was right on. Thank you
Anyway, replaced the struts with KYB brand. The ride is much improved. I’ll call this one resolved.
Removing the rest of the Suncore kit in the rear. I figure it is Chinese junk to fail that fast.
Anyway, replaced the struts with KYB brand. The ride is much improved. I’ll call this one resolved.
Removing the rest of the Suncore kit in the rear. I figure it is Chinese junk to fail that fast.
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tmf2004
Suspension and Brakes
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