1999 Tacoma shakes at 65-75

[Kizar_Sozay]

When this started I noticed it was just shaking in the steering wheel. I had always been taught that if the steering wheel shook it was the front wheels out of balance. If the seat shook it was the rear.

I took the truck to a service place and they balanced the wheels but told me my struts needed replacing. Didn't do it as I wanted to see what the balance job would do. Essentially nothing.

Its my daughters truck and she took it to the local guys I've used for years and they told her the struts were fine and she needed a balance (I had them rotated front to rear earlier as they were starting to scallop). They recommended a place and, going there, they said struts were fine and needed a balance. She got them balanced again and same result. The steering wheel shakes when you hit 65 on any road, then quits at 75 but I don't drive 75.
FYI. We bought truck with 100K miles and it now has 126K. Suspect they may be original struts but show no leaking and the bounce test is OK. I read another post about an intermittent failure through a short travel range on the shock. Any ideas?

[fordtrucksonly]

You said they rotated front tires to rear? Also how do the ball joints look?

[Kizar_Sozay]

I wouldn't know what to look for in evaluating a ball joint.

[fordtrucksonly]

Originally Posted by Kizar_Sozay

I wouldn't know what to look for in evaluating a ball joint.

You can take it up to a dealership or local shop or..

Jack the front of the truck up, support with jack stands on frame if possible.
Note- you only need to get the front tires off the ground about an inch or so.
you can grab the top and bottom of the tire and wiggle up and down, and in and out feeling for "play" or movement in any way. you can also check steering this way to by grabbing the sides of the tire and wiggling side to side feeling for excessive play, minimal play is normal for side to side (its always gonna move under pressure) but your feeling for sudden movements.

When your checking the ball joints (wiggling tire up and down/ in and out) ANY play at all could be causing your vibration. I've seen excessive wear cause bad vibrations plenty of times. And if you have the tools and know-how to check this it can very well aid your search. Let me know if you need more info, or if you find anything out.

[MrEleven]

You need an alignment. If the front tires are starting to scallop its from the alignment being out, not the balance. It will also cause the shake. Take it to any alignment shop you choose and have them do the work. Then go get your money back from the place that re-balanced your tires. I worked as a maintenance Tech for Budget trucks and that was a guarantee, that it was time for align.

[fordtrucksonly]

Originally Posted by MrEleven

You need an alignment. If the front tires are starting to scallop its from the alignment being out, not the balance. It will also cause the shake. Take it to any alignment shop you choose and have them do the work. Then go get your money back from the place that re-balanced your tires. I worked as a maintenance Tech for Budget trucks and that was a guarantee, that it was time for align.

Ball joints, failed control arms, hubs, any number of these things can cause abnormal tire wear, alignment issues, and vibrations. It's not always as easy as just having an alignment. For the past 4 years I've done primarily Front-end work. - I've also very rarely seen an alignment make the steering wheel shake.