I have two issues, and they may be related. This is a 2005 LE with just over 104,000 miles.
First, at highway speeds, unless on exceptionally smooth roads, my steering wheel shakes like crazy...like enough to make my hand start to feel numb after 10-15 minutes.
The tires have been balanced (by a place I trust) and the vibration is the same regardless of where the tires are rotated to or the tire pressure. The car also had a full alignment done by a Toyota dealer less than a month ago. No difference. However, if the road curves to the right, the vibration disappears.
Second, while backing up with the wheel locked/nearly locked left, there is a scraping/grinding noise from the front passenger wheel area. I have checked and the tire is not hitting anything. The brakes all around also have about 70% wear left on them, and the rotors/drums are in excellent shape.
It might be my imagination, but I feel as though my struts are not what they used to be (although nowhere near shot) if that helps any.
Thanks for any input.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
I'll also add in the at least 4-5 months I've had these issues (possibly longer...my memory is crap), it has stayed the same. If it's gotten worse it's not by any noticeable amount.
I don't have any clicking while turning, or most of the classic CV joint symptoms. Would I get the noise both forward and reverse if it was a CV joint? It only happens in reverse...but maybe it's just an early sign. Also, no vibration or anything through the wheel when it makes the noise.
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Last edited by gideon1331; 07-15-2011 at 01:12 PM.
Have your tires checked. If it is not the wheel balancing, alignment or suspension issue then it must be a bubble in one of the tires due to a bad puncture repair or the tire has become defective over time.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
The control arm bushings look good. I've seen worn out cracked ones before and they look nothing like those. There is also no more free play on the wheel than I've seen on any other car.
The vibration is not affected by either acceleration or braking.
Good suggestion about the tire repair...these have not been repaired, but I did have an issue with that on my old car. Repaired after a flat and a few months later it was shaking like crazy...rubber was all coming apart inside the tire.
I'm beginning to think it's just my struts starting to go combined with the overly craptastic New England roads. Does that sound plausible to anyone?
__________________
Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Yeah, struts could be a problem where one side strut rebound rate is different than the other.
However, I still don't see it making the car pull to one side on a smooth road since both struts are stationary at that time. Did you try driving it on a smooth road??
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
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