Light Wobble/Vibration When Cold

[NuclearRat]

Hey TNation,

I have an issue with a 2011 Toyota Camry LE where when the vehicle is driven for the first time of the day, I get a wobbly vibration feeling right at around 41MPH... Doesn't seem to be the transmission, switching gears and putting it into neutral doesn't change the wobble. I've had the vehicle to the dealer 4 times now. Here is what they've tried (with no result):

Replaced all 4 alloy wheels
Replaced all 4 tires
Road force balanced (several times) at 2 different shops
Replaced both front wheel bearings
Replaced both front axles
Aligned the vehicle
Replaced a "shaft" on the transmission (per the advisor, trying to figure out exactly what part he's referring to)
Replaced both front discs

..vibration all but disappears when the vehicle is warmed up.. about 10 minutes of driving. Is this just normal behavior for this car? I've driven several 2011 Camry's.. Some do it and some don't... Even with different tire/wheel configurations.

[Snomax]

Originally Posted by NuclearRat

Hey TNation,

I have an issue with a 2011 Toyota Camry LE where when the vehicle is driven for the first time of the day, I get a wobbly vibration feeling right at around 41MPH... Doesn't seem to be the transmission, switching gears and putting it into neutral doesn't change the wobble. I've had the vehicle to the dealer 4 times now. Here is what they've tried (with no result):

Replaced all 4 alloy wheels
Replaced all 4 tires
Road force balanced (several times) at 2 different shops
Replaced both front wheel bearings
Replaced both front axles
Aligned the vehicle
Replaced a "shaft" on the transmission (per the advisor, trying to figure out exactly what part he's referring to)
Replaced both front discs

..vibration all but disappears when the vehicle is warmed up.. about 10 minutes of driving. Is this just normal behavior for this car? I've driven several 2011 Camry's.. Some do it and some don't... Even with different tire/wheel configurations.

Well I'm glad to see I'm not alone!!

I have the same model and year you do as a matter of fact.

But mine didnt start this, until after I changed out the wheels/tires.

Stock tires never did it(or maybe I just never noticed at the time)

And like you said, after a few minutes of driving, it goes away. I took it back to the place that mounted my wheels, and the manager said it is possible that the tires are "flat spotting" at night slightly.

I've never had this thin of tire on a vehicle(35 series)so it sounds viable to me I guess...who knows.

[NuclearRat]

I honestly think the overnight flat spotting may be it, although I didn't think tires did that anymore.. I'm riding on the OE Michelin Fuelmax tires.

Interestingly enough though, the car rides smooth as glass at high speeds so I know it isn't balance related.. I've had the wobbly feeling while the vehicle is cold, and I've taken it all the way up to 75mph, and it's smooth. I'm sure a Toyota engineer could explain it.

[SoundEngineering]

Hi NuclearRat

I am experiencing the same issue with a 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Luxury.

1. Wheels Balanced & Aligned
2. Tyres Replaced / Changed
3. Suspension inspected.

The ride on the car is terrible, almost like a wiggle / bounce. I have only done 18,000 K's and had to have the tyres replaced?

I have a Toyota Engineer looking into it on Wednesday however if the ride of the car dosn't improve Im going to take Toyota to court and ask they refund me for the car due to being unstable / unsafe. No car should wiggle, wobble or bounce, or feel like its going to role over on the driver side?. Especially if all the a b c checks have been done. Im wondering if the sway bar on the new Toyota's are defective. The issues started on mine after 4000K's. I have had 4 wheel balances & alignments since then..

Sad reaility is I owned a Toyota Aurion Before and never exprienced this issue?.. For Toyota the quality of the ride is a let down, I expect this from a KIA or Hyundai.. ? or cheap car?

Im wondering if the car is a lemon

[NuclearRat]

SoundEngineering, I have just accepted that this car has a vibration. They've re-built my entire front end, replace all 4 wheels, tires, rotors, hubs... They changed a shaft in the transmission... They replaced the sway bars and wheel bearings... Somewhere in there the problem went from obnoxious to tolerable, but it still exists somewhat.. It still isn't smooth at 75+.. Road force balanced, nitro filled brand new good year energy tires. During the course of this, I drove several other 2011 Camrys that all had this same wobble to varying degrees, and some at slightly different speeds. I have come to the conclusion that the source of this wobble/vibration is the drivetrain and that it's just how this car rides... They just don't make 'em like they used to :P. I'm sure there is a design flaw or something that isn't balanced properly in the engine or transmission.. Maybe both.. It just causes me some concern because we all know that vibration destroys things.