I have a 2003 Limited Tundra with 255,000 miles, which I bought new off the lot with only 4 miles on it. It is the most reliable car I've ever owned. I've never had a problem with it. All I've ever done is just standard maintenance and after 16 years, it still runs and looks like it's brand new.
Now to the issue... The steering was starting to feel a little sloppy, and I wanted to freshen it up. So, I bought new poly steering rack bushings, new inner and outer tie rod ends, and it was time for shocks and tires. I put on the steering rack bushings, and took it in to a reputable local shop (my friends Dad owns it), and had them put on the tie rod ends, shocks and do an alignment. I got it back and there was a horrible vibration in the front end. The steering wheel shook like crazy at higher speeds (anything above 50mph). I thought, maybe with the new stuff, the old tires (70k miles on BFG KO1 AT's - 265/70R17) were causing this, so, as planned, I took it down to the tire shop and bought new tires (BFG KO2's - same size). The shake was still there. I took it back in to my friends shop, who checked over all of their work, and said when they checked the alignment, it was good, but they did "straightened the steering wheel" and rotated the tires. They said on their test drive, the shake went away in the front, and you could slightly feel it in the back, so I should have the tires rebalanced. I test drove it, and I could still feel a slight shake in the front, the steering wheel still rattled a little, and maybe it was the back, maybe it was the front. I'm not 100% sure. I took the tires back to the tire shop and they rebalanced them, but I could still feel the shake, and after this, it feels like it's still coming from the front, not the back. It's not as noticeable, but it's still there. The shop says they think it's a bent rim or out of round tire. I don't think it is, because this truck was smooth as could be prior to the work. Do you guys think it's the alignment? The shop also said, because I put new stuff on (steering rack bushings, tie rod ends and shocks), that maybe the "shake" was hidden, and is now showing because other bushings and components are worn out. I have a hard time believing that a shake this bad would be hidden. I really think the alignment has something to do with it. The steering wheel feels light and wonders a little. What are your guys thoughts? Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a different shop for another alignment? I'm at a loss, this sucks!
Now to the issue... The steering was starting to feel a little sloppy, and I wanted to freshen it up. So, I bought new poly steering rack bushings, new inner and outer tie rod ends, and it was time for shocks and tires. I put on the steering rack bushings, and took it in to a reputable local shop (my friends Dad owns it), and had them put on the tie rod ends, shocks and do an alignment. I got it back and there was a horrible vibration in the front end. The steering wheel shook like crazy at higher speeds (anything above 50mph). I thought, maybe with the new stuff, the old tires (70k miles on BFG KO1 AT's - 265/70R17) were causing this, so, as planned, I took it down to the tire shop and bought new tires (BFG KO2's - same size). The shake was still there. I took it back in to my friends shop, who checked over all of their work, and said when they checked the alignment, it was good, but they did "straightened the steering wheel" and rotated the tires. They said on their test drive, the shake went away in the front, and you could slightly feel it in the back, so I should have the tires rebalanced. I test drove it, and I could still feel a slight shake in the front, the steering wheel still rattled a little, and maybe it was the back, maybe it was the front. I'm not 100% sure. I took the tires back to the tire shop and they rebalanced them, but I could still feel the shake, and after this, it feels like it's still coming from the front, not the back. It's not as noticeable, but it's still there. The shop says they think it's a bent rim or out of round tire. I don't think it is, because this truck was smooth as could be prior to the work. Do you guys think it's the alignment? The shop also said, because I put new stuff on (steering rack bushings, tie rod ends and shocks), that maybe the "shake" was hidden, and is now showing because other bushings and components are worn out. I have a hard time believing that a shake this bad would be hidden. I really think the alignment has something to do with it. The steering wheel feels light and wonders a little. What are your guys thoughts? Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a different shop for another alignment? I'm at a loss, this sucks!