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Comments
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
At least if I can get another set of wheels on there I'll be able to tell. The tricky part is getting the dealer or rep to go along with that.
I might not be able to pursuade them there's a problem because it's not severe. The thing is, I drove 3 other 4runners during my shopping (V6 & V8) and they were smooth as glass, so I know how it should feel. I knew the one I bought needed the wheels balanced but I didn't think it would be an issue. Maybe it won't be. Too early to tell.
It was the only car in the state (at the time) in the color/trim/options that I wanted and I didn't want to wait. Too excited I guess.
I can understand why there was so much hesitation - the part costs $2050 and must be special ordered from Japan!
I'm just glad something is being done. Hopefully this will be the last time I bring my truck into the shop. My thanks to Oscar for posting about his experience with the same problem.
I don't know if I had this before the replacement because that buzz was so distracting. Just hoping to pinpoint what might be the cause.
I'm sure if it's a quirk in the new booster, that $2K pricetag will make Toyota fight me on it since the brakes do work good.
It's frustrating to have these annoyances because it really is an awesome truck.
The annoying part about fixing the headliner rattle is that the entire thing must be dropped - all day job
Aaron
The moonroof rattle is subtle, you have to listen for it when you hit bumps in the road.
Right now, I'm concentrating on a more serious problem: vibration that travels through the steering wheel, seats, armrests, etc.
It's at the dealer right now. I just called and my advisor said the tech balanced the wheels and drove it but the vibe is still there so he's got the wheels back off and trying to fine tune it.
We'll see what happens when I pick it up. At least this dealer didn't give me a "could not duplicate" like the other dealer did.
Will post again tonight.
I had a bad vibration in my right front wheel that I felt through the steering wheel. I asked the dealer to re-balance the tire. They did, and they also re-balanced the other three -- then, the truck had a vibration through the whole thing. Since the dealer couldn't even get the oil change right, either, I went to a Mr. Tire store and paid a pro to balance the tires.
They put all four wheels on some type of balancing machine and got them right. Now, it rides very smooth. They checked the balance job the dealer did before they took the weights off and said the dealer was not even close on three of the tires.
Your problem may be the dealer doesn't know how to balance what you have.
Also, in message #59 the moonroof rattle was solved by tightening the "pan screws" for the moonroof. Any clue where these are located, so I can tighten them myself?
In response to how to test for the rattle, if you open the shade on the moonroof and hit (punch) the moonroof straight up repeatedly it will rattle. Or, drive about 25 - 35 over a rough road, expansion joints, small potholes, etc. Although, mine did not start rattling until it had 3,000 miles on it.
Love the 4Runner, just don't like things making noise that shouldn't...that's why I traded my Explorer for a Toyota.
I'll be tied up for a while, so I'll have to deal with this later.
We have an '03 4Runner with the "stylish" instrument pods. I have found the instruments unreadable during the day, particularly with sunglasses, unless the lights are on and the instruments illuminated. So I always turn on the headlights when starting the car. Looks like Toyota recognized the stupidity of the instrument design and turns the lights on for you now. Nice!
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Gregg
'03 4WD V8 4Runner
"There’s vibration in the steering wheel at various speeds. I also feel it in the seats, pedals, and armrests. If I put the transmission into neutral while driving, the vibration still occurs, so I suspect its wheel or tire related. I drove three other new 4runners and they each rode very smooth, so I’m certain it’s not normal.
I’ve read that these “lug-centric” wheels can only be balanced correctly with a GSP9700 Force Balancer and Haweka flange-plate adapter? Also, please check drive-shaft balance, tires, and alignment."
When I called during the day, I was hopeful because he said the tech recognized the vibration and was trying to fix it. At the end of the day, I was told there was a bad batch of weights and they used a new set. Was told tires checked out ok. I'm sure they didn't check drive-shaft or anything else. When I drove home, it was actually worse because they had the tires at 36psi. I put them back at 32.
Paperwork states, "C/S vibration felt when driving at all speeds. Road tested to verify. Balanced wheels. Road tested ok."
I'll have to deal with the Rep now but it won't be for a couple of weeks. What I'd like to do is get another set of wheels on there just to see if it changes anything. If it does, we know it's wheels or tires. If it doesn't, we know it's neither. Hopefully, the Rep will be helpful but I know this could be a long battle.
by the way, both dealers have the GSP9700.
It is most likely a balancing issue if it gets worse the faster you drive (it is possibly also a bad belt in the tire). If it is variable and unpredictable with speed, it is more likely the tire has slipped a belt.
While you have the wheel off the ground, you can try and move the tire in and out at the top and bottom. Both wheels should feel the same (They shouldn't have any play). If one of them is different than the other, then it is a hub or ball joint issue (or possibly something else I haven't thought of).
The other metal on metal is under the backseat cushion. Fold the backseat upright and lift (pull) the bench cushion up/forward. On the floorboard are 2 metal rivets (?); put tape over these. There are corresponding metal pieces under the cushion that could be rubbing.
The primary driver believes the 1st fix is enough.
A layer of electrical tape applied to the forward/latch side of the body-mounted bracket last night (I don't think tape on the outer or rear sides would help) seems to have eliminated the sound. Thanks.
He said that the Axle seals are broken and hence there's oil leaking, which could make its way into the brake drum and cause damage. It seems fairly recent and right now, all the oil that's leaking is burning away but it might get dangerous in future.
He quoted a $700 job to get the entire axle seals fixed (said he has to replace the entire axle seal unit and not repair).
Anybody else had this problem? Or any experience regarding this? Is the service technician taking me for a ride? Appreciate the responses.
With respect to the seals above the driver and passenger doors, I think you're talking about the exterior "rain gutter" trim, and you should probably take this to the dealer--this appeared to be a common problem earlier this model year.
The clear tube in the jack compartment is indeed a sunroof drain, by all accounts. There is probably another behind the dress panel in the compartment on the right rear side.
At least the rock lost too. I literally saw it break into at least 2 pieces.
Troubleshooting Chart
This makes me suspect Tire/Wheel diameter runout as the culprit since the vibration occurs about 20mph on up.
I ask because unlike my rear hatch window, those lines didn't do a thing to my right rear window when I used the defroster/defogger. Neither Toyota's website nor my owners manual address whether or not it's part of rear window defroster/defogger. If it's not for defrosting-defogging, then are they for the radio like the left rear window?
I wonder why the two rear cargo area windows with the "antennas" don't have the same appearance. Any ideas?
The current generation 4Runner is equipped with an FM diversity antenna (older ones as well?). Both the right and left rear side windows have imbedded antennas, and the radio uses the one receiving the stronger signal.
Also, we too suffered a cracked windshield. We were camping on Galveston Island several days ago and found the 12" crack one morning. It wasn't there the previous evening and as far as we know the windshield was not hit by a rock--it appears to have just cracked on its own. Maybe a pelican flew into it during he night, but I doubt it!
Sorry, I left the recall notice at the dealer. I checked a couple of recall web sites but don't find it listed. As best I can remember it had something to do with replacing pins that might break when driving in extreme off-road situations. Maybe somebody else can elaborate further.