I fixed my steering vibration! No more at 65+ mph! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

MCeatalot · 09-11-2009, 04:25 PM

My fellow prisoners...errr....commuters, I am so elated by this news that I must share it with you all! As some of you may recall, I've been having issues with vibration at high speed (65+) ever since I got a new set of wheels & tires. I've had to take it back to America's Tire Co. several times for wheel balancing, including Road Forced balance with the infamous Hunter machine. I've also had to switch two different brands of tires to make sure that it's not the tires. We did a lot of QA/QC before giving up; we checked for tires, wheels, balancing, alignment, hubcentric rings. But to no avail. So I dealt with it for the past two years, getting used to the steering vibration whenever I get past 65 mph.

But then just last week I decided to get a new set of hubcentric rings (polycarbonate). I got a set of 73 - 60.1 mm, replaced the old ones with the new ones this morning...and VOILA!! No more vibration at 65+!!! I checked several times by driving down the freeway in increments of 5 mph starting at 65, holding the speed for a good minute or so. I stopped to get gas and went back on the freeway. Nothing! No more! Nada!

Note that when I removed the old hubcentric rings, there was a gooey stuff that America's Tire applied between the rings and the center bore surface. I'm not sure if this is what was causing the vibration, but I did not reuse or apply other adhesive material when I installed the new rings. Go figure.

So, if any of you still have vibration issues, try replacing your hubcentric rings. I solved my million dollar problem for $9.

P.S. I am aware of the recently released TSB regarding vibration issues. But I've got aftermarket wheels and I'm pretty sure the dealership will use those against me before I can claim it under warranty. Plus I'm already past the 3/36k warranty.

Good luck and I hope this helps someone else!

yuriy · 09-11-2009, 04:34 PM

I had this problem after getting new tires..had them rebalanced like 5 times and it would randomly vibrate harshly on my steering wheel..yesterday I did a oil change so I asked them how much the balancing and tire rotation is, they gave me a price..I agreed since it was about time to rotate them anyways and I never had the mind set to ask them anything about why my steering wheel vibrates..well after the oil change I went out for a drive home..and I felt the steering wheel to be different..I'm like ok? so I took it for a big ride 120mph lol and drove down couple exits here on our highway and didnt feel a thing..and even today everything was perfect..pretty happy

You fixed yours..that's good, you must have aftermarket rims..I have OEM and it was vibrating at almost any speed above 40mph..

thrawnis · 09-11-2009, 05:04 PM

MCeatalot, thanks for the suggestion. I am having the EXACT problems at the exact speeds you are describing only after I got my new TSW wheels. Where did you purchase your replacement hub centric rings? This vibration issue is driving me friggin nuts so I would love to find a (hopefully) permanent fix to the problem.

Pawel062 · 09-11-2009, 08:36 PM

i just had my wheels rebalanced and no more vibrations. though i'll look at my rings too just to make sure when i put on my winter set.

MCeatalot · 09-11-2009, 09:13 PM

Thrawnis, I purchased my rings on Ebay with discount tire direct. $9 shipped.

Pawel, you have no idea how many times I've had to rebalance mine in the past 2 years just to alleviate the vibration

But at least it worked out for you.

Pawel062 · 09-11-2009, 09:25 PM

i know. just giving a example how something simple like that solved mine. the weights we have do come off easily though.

GT-R · 09-11-2009, 10:28 PM

I don't have anything between the hub centric rings, center bore, and the rims, and tested at 40, 65, 90+ MPH, and no vibration at all.

I got lucky that Lammy's tire shop had the hub centric rings that fit my rims and my car, cause they usually don't have it.

SD Tires.

Pawel062 · 09-11-2009, 10:29 PM

well lammy did help lol.

thrawnis · 09-14-2009, 03:05 PM

MCeatalot, do you have the specific part number and/or the size of the rings that you got? Most shops are asking for this.

Edit: Sorry everyone. I think I found them. Can anyone confirm that these rings are the correct size? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

deuce106 · 09-14-2009, 03:42 PM

i have the same issue and im going to follow your advise. i have placed another order for a new set of rings. i hope it will take care of the problem. im getting really sick of it.

***darksparkz*** · 09-15-2009, 11:12 AM

Yeah, the polycarbonate/plastic ones are much better then aluminum rings, which can corrode and rust onto the hub of the car.

Darqhelmet · 09-15-2009, 12:11 PM

Great info I drive from 105 miles a day for work and have just gotten used to the vibration. Now I can hopefully get rid of it.

TRD_Miguel · 09-21-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCeatalot

My fellow prisoners...errr....commuters, I am so elated by this news that I must share it with you all! As some of you may recall, I've been having issues with vibration at high speed (65+) ever since I got a new set of wheels & tires. I've had to take it back to America's Tire Co. several times for wheel balancing, including Road Forced balance with the infamous Hunter machine. I've also had to switch two different brands of tires to make sure that it's not the tires. We did a lot of QA/QC before giving up; we checked for tires, wheels, balancing, alignment, hubcentric rings. But to no avail. So I dealt with it for the past two years, getting used to the steering vibration whenever I get past 65 mph.

But then just last week I decided to get a new set of hubcentric rings (polycarbonate). I got a set of 73 - 60.1 mm, replaced the old ones with the new ones this morning...and VOILA!! No more vibration at 65+!!! I checked several times by driving down the freeway in increments of 5 mph starting at 65, holding the speed for a good minute or so. I stopped to get gas and went back on the freeway. Nothing! No more! Nada!

Note that when I removed the old hubcentric rings, there was a gooey stuff that America's Tire applied between the rings and the center bore surface. I'm not sure if this is what was causing the vibration, but I did not reuse or apply other adhesive material when I installed the new rings. Go figure.

So, if any of you still have vibration issues, try replacing your hubcentric rings. I solved my million dollar problem for $9.

P.S. I am aware of the recently released TSB regarding vibration issues. But I've got aftermarket wheels and I'm pretty sure the dealership will use those against me before I can claim it under warranty. Plus I'm already past the 3/36k warranty.

Good luck and I hope this helps someone else!

hey i was looking for a hubcentric ring for my car as well and i was looking for the center bore size for the camry and i saw it was 54.06mm and i see that the one you bought is a 60.1mm and i was looking for that seeler on ebay and i cant find it i need a 73.1mm/???

Pawel062 · 09-21-2009, 04:05 PM

contact i think it was discount tire. they should be able to get it for you miguel.

MCeatalot · 09-21-2009, 04:39 PM

Miguel and Pawel, I will respond to your inquiries as soon as I get back home.