Ok, in short, here is the story on my new 4runner. It is a stock 99-and I mean stock. It was purchased from a 21 year old kid who was in deep for a beemer. Turned out it was a locally purchased rig with 87k miles and new costco tires. For the most part, it ran great, no vibration and only pulled to the right a little bit.

No problem, off to Les Schwab for an alignment. Ah..prior to that, my bright idea was to pump the Bridgestone A/T to 34 PSI. Bad idea-drove like a truck and wandered. Turns out came from Costco with 23psi. Drove like a lexus-sort of.

Anyway, it came back from Les Schwab with sterring wheel to left. Grrrr and still wandered. Brought PSI back down-a tad better. Did some research on the tires-very wimpy and squishy. Today took the 4runner back for a realignment. Decided to get new tires.

They had a few choices. One of them was their TOYO open country H/T and A/T or something like that. Basically a really sweet road tire or a moderate do everything tread. They talked me into the HT's. Apparently they were the best.

I watched the installation-and wouldn't you know it one of their "techs" put the tires on without the Haweka adapter. When I asked them if they were using it, they said no but it would be ok. I them told them the rims were lugcentric.....and they would vibrate (which they do anyway). They changed it to the Haweka but still used the tech who new nothing.

Anyhow, $700 later, the 4runner drives now like a 57 chevy and vibrates at 60 miles per hour. Let me put it this way, my 82 suburban rides much better. Anyhow, after reading many vibration posts, I will make an appointment with the Lake Oswego Les Schwab. The one I use of Columbia seems to be mostly clueless. Oh...one more thing, I almost rolled out of there with 40lbs of pressure in each tire. Thankfully someone caught it.

Now remember, they are the "best" tires out there. I am not impressed.

Ok, after reading the other posts on vibration etc, here are my thoughts. Now remember, I am not an expert. I am just a guy who looks at lots of cars and trucks and make hypothesis based on those thoughts.

My suburban weighs in at 6500lbs-a full 2000 more than the 4runner. Right now the sub has Les Schwab tires rated at 2400lbs per tire. Roughly same size. Ride quite nicely. The sub is also quite long-over 150inch wheelbase. Now, the runner comes in at less than 3600 lbs with a 105 wheelbase. Now, in the subs case, curb weight is 85% of tire capacity. With the 4runner, curb weight 43%. Quite a difference.

Now, my 4runner has had a good life-but not free of bumps. More than likely, although he never admitted to it, the former seller has the truck off roading. Oh well, that is what they are built for (unlike the crap of today... ) Anyway, more than likely it has some worn bushings, ball joints etc. Things that are ignored. Admit it, you ignore them. On the sub, there is not much to the steering in comparison-but it does wander.

Now, here is my hypothesis. First, Les Schwab is aware that "4runner front ends are sensitive". Why? My first thought is this: The Sub is so heavy, even if the tires were a bit out of round, any irregularity would have to overcome 3 tons of weight (diesel motor front end). On the 4runner, not so much. Very light weight gas motor. The Sub has a long wheelbase-4runner is quite short and narrow. In comarison, my buddy's Mazda six seets three comfortably in back while the 4runner barely fits two big guys.

Think Jeep. Yes, a Jeep. Those things that everyone loves. Let's put it all together. The 4runner for all it's innovation is a victim of physics. Because of the short, narrow wheelbase, lightweight, lug centrich rims, multiple fail/wear points in front end, a tire is bound to fail unless it is perfect.

Rubber tires are never perfect. Michelin LTX's are nice. In fact I saw a set of four at Les Schwab. Very nice, but really the tread is not very sexy.

So, in light of all this, what tire would be good for the venerable ahead of it's time 4runner? Well, the tire much be very, very round. I would avoid new model tires. Go with something of older design. Want a good ride? Get something soft. Remember, your runner is super lightweight. Many SUVS of today weigh substantially more and ask for a P rated tire. Unreal.

My 4runner has a hint of vibration with the original tires a 65. More then that, they wandered. I suspect that the bushings are worn out in my front end. Remember, lowest bidder at factory which means rubber.

I just may be returning the "best" new model for something reliable that has been around Les Schwab for some time. We shall see. Oh, going to a Les Schwab with a Road force balancer. Surprisingly so, it just happens to be down in Lake No Ego, oregon. Trust me, Mr. and Mrs. Lexus do not want to get the run around.

Let's see how things go....I will update if asked.

Oh...mods.
1. E-locker mod. Very cool to have on command locker in 2 wheel.
2. Clocked tie downs.

Not mods but...
1. Pulled all floor mats and rear cargo mat. Hand washed in Mud sink. They were nasty (former owner had dog and sand...)
2. Drip dried then put in drier with a bunch of drier sheets. I hate static cling on floor mats.
3. Steam cleaned rear carpet.

Tomorrow...
1. Steam clean rest of carpets.
2. Wash outside.

Thanks for reading!

 

the vibrations are from the tires not being properly balanced. this problem can be quickly resolved by taking it elsewhere to have them balance it. if the tire shop that you took it is unable to resolve it, have them pay for the balance at a competitors shop. either way the tech's a moron.

tire pressure recommendations: 32-36psi.

o yeah, welcome to yotatech

edit: cuz I can't spell yotatech! (doh)

 

Les Schwab, what kind of place is that. you should take your vehicle to a reputable place to do your alignments and tire mounting and balancing. i work at a dealership and you would be surprised how many things come in broken and wrong from jiffy lube or express lube type places.

 

X2 and I can spell Yotatech.

 

i work at discount tire and your vibes are definitely from not being balanced properly. on the psi side, except for some exceptions, we put 35 psi in all larger vehicle tires and 32 in the car tires...but its a balancing issue

 

actually les schwab is very reputable. They garentee (sp?) all of the work they do. Some people that work at them are kinda stupid some times (which happens at dealers, etc very often). I have yet to hear of anything bad about our local les schwab. Everyone loves it compared to places like costco, or any of the local dealers. Cost is a little more than usual, but thats because they provide free everything on the tires if you buy them from them. (im sure some other places do as well, but only les schawb does around here)

(btw i thin les schwab is just around northern western states. might be more, but not sure.)

 

i also have to add that before an alignment is performed, you must check all suspension components for wear. since you have new tires then you can check that off your list, but any free play or imperfections in suspension and tires will change your alignment and they must be fixed before performing the alignment. if the place you brought your runner to couldnt balance tires correctly then i doubt they atleast checked your vehicles suspension parts. just go to the dealership or something, its more money but get things done correctly the first time.

 

ya everybody makes mistakes but a simple mounting & balancing of tires and an alignment shouldnt be a problem for a place that seems to specialize in those type or repairs. when im not sure of something at my work no matter how simple it may be just asking a simple question to another tech could be the difference between a long lasting customer and one who wishes he never walked in the door.

 

Ditto on checking all the suspension components for wear including ball joints, tie rod ends (inner and outer) and the steering rack bushings.....change any of these if they are found to be bad before another alignment. The vibration could be tire balance or alignment or both. I would take it to the Toyota dealer to have it aligned (shouldn't be more than $60) and get them to give you a printout of the specs while on the machine (both before and after). Then once it is tracking straight, work on the tire balance. I think you may have multiple issues at the same time.

 

Oh..I know there are multiple issues-first of which being my Toyota addictions. On the Les Scwab note, they have been referred to as "Le slob". The truth is, when you are dealing with a chain, people are not robots. By definition, half of all people are below average intelligence. That is why I will check in with the Lake Oswego (lake no ego) shop. They are very well off-much more so than a place that sells semi-truck tires.

I know the vibration is in the tires. There were some HUGE weights on the tires. Unreal. And I will have them recheck the alignment. But then again, I may ditch these fancy schmancy tires and head for some good ol tires that have been around for some time-depends on if I can get things worked out. We shall see how the road force machine works. :-)