Need help - bad vibration problem!

[spinthetension]

I am getting really frustrated with Toyota.

I have had a vibration issue with my car since I bought it in April. The vibration was really bad in the steering wheel at the time. This wasn't fixed when they balanced the front tires. I rode with the tech and he said it was probably just road feedback. The vibration is so bad it's intolerable after about 15-20 minutes.

I had the tires rotated about a week ago with my oil change since I was about to take a 13 hour road trip. Now the vibration is in the rear of the car. It gets worse the faster I go, and it starts to become noticeable at highway speeds (so 55+). I took the car back after the tire rotation and the tech couldn't replicate the vibration. They pretty much told me it was normal wear and tear and I was hallucinating.

During the 13 hour road trip, the car felt like it was going to vibrate right off the road. My toddler in the back seat sounded like she was talking through a fan it was so bad! There is still vibration in the steering wheel, but it isn't any where near as bad as it was before the tire rotation.

The vibration is speed related. When I slow down, coast, and speed up the vibration is there until I get below 50mph.

When I take the car back to the dealer, this will be the 5th time I've complained about this problem. I'm getting really sick and tired of being told it's no big deal. I have never had a car vibrate so badly, and I expected more from a Toyota and their service techs than to be told I'm hallucinating.

I'm hoping someone has some ideas. I know it could be a multitude of things, but I'm thinking it could be one of the tires since the vibration essentially followed the tire rotation.

BTW, the tires are new. I would guess they have less than 5k mi on them. They are Nexen (never heard of 'em), and I bought the car certified pre-owned. I'd like to think it might be a bad spot on one of the tires (or both), but wouldn't that have been shown when they were balanced?

[tengiday]

I doubt your tires are causing trouble. Rotating tires often switch front and rear tires, so if the vibration, which used to be in the front, is now in the back, you may try changing these tires.

[spinthetension]

Originally Posted by tengiday

I doubt your tires are causing trouble. Rotating tires often switch front and rear tires, so if the vibration, which used to be in the front, is now in the back, you may try changing these tires.

You said you doubt it's the tires but that I should replace them. I don't follow. I know what a tire rotation is. I think I will probably have to have the tires replaced, but they should be under warranty I would think.

[fatngs]

i camry had nexen tires on the front when i got it.... had all kinds of random vibration from the front end at speed even after i got the tires balanced twice..... replaced em and car's been good ever since

[acprkit]

You probably have a bent rim - is the vibration now gone from the steering wheel?

[spinthetension]

Originally Posted by acprkit

You probably have a bent rim - is the vibration now gone from the steering wheel?

Yeah the vibration is mostly gone. I'd say 90% is gone. You would think they would have caught that when they balanced the tires though.guess not.

[gdanaher]

The dealership probably has just one guy doing tire work, and if he isn't competent then he isn't going to look for obvious problems. For the minor expense, take it to a real tire shop and have them check wheel true and tire balance. A new set of eyes will find the problem. The problem is not with Toyota. The problem is with incompetent workers.

[justatoyofan]

It kind of sounds like your tires may be cupping. Get a tire depth gauge and read the inside and outside tread.

Or you can bring it by the shop I work at in Lombard, and we can check it out.