Stock 100 steering shake - common? easy fix?

[PrahranNYC]

I'm currently on the hunt for a 05-06 100.

Oddly for over a month of searching, I've only been able to drive one for the first time yesterday.

Tested a stock 06 LX470 with Hankook tires (very street orientated tires) with 150k on the odo. Plenty of tread and didn't show odd wear.

When I took it on the highway/freeway up to 65 mph the steering had a noticeable shake/vibration . Taking it up to 80mph the vibration settled down to a very light vibration, but enough to be annoying.

I've owned Jeep XJ, ZJ, and WJ's. Two of which had death wobble that I cured. It almost seems like the onset of death wobble... but obviously, the 100 lacks an SFA so its not Death Wobble. And of course, tire balance could be a issue (I check to see if all the tires had their weights on the rim. They did). Alignment seemed fine. I also noticed at slow speeds I wasnt impressed with the steering feel, but thats obviously my perception and high expectations.

..but could there be something else underlying? Like steering rack (power steering fluid was fine btw)? Is this common?

My current daily is a 99 Chevy Suburban with AT tires.

 

[abuck99]

Tire balance.

 

[DirtDawg]

Tire balance usually gets worse with speed, but still a possibility.

But generally being as the 100 series has an full-time 4WD system, your going to get more feedback in the steering wheel than any 2wd vehicle. I used to have a similar issue but it was pretty much remedied by a new steering rack and suspension. I still will get a little shake over certain road surfaces but I just attribute it to the large e-rated tires and the 4wd system. However on a stock system I wouldn't expect it to be that noticeable.

 

[abuck99]

It's evident the dealer hasn't spent much time servicing and/or road testing the truck to make it ready for sale.(strike 1)

I'd still rule out balance first- it's quick, easy and inexpensive to confirm. Visible wheel weights doesn't indicate they were well placed. On 150k mall crawler, I doubt the rack is ready for replacing. Start with the obvious things and rule those out step by step.

Tire Balance
Tire age, pressure & wear-
Tire type: E rated? 2ply highway tires, especially cheap ones, make these trucks handle fairly sloppy (IMO)
Check for wheel bearing play: at 150k bearings should be ok, but probably the preload is loose.
Check TRE play
Check ball joints: leaks, tears, play
Look at the boots on the steering rack rack leaks

IMO- Toyota trucks dont have the tightest most responsive feeling steering. The vague steering you feel is a combination of things: I think (02 onward), the Lexus variant has a Variable Gear Ratio Steering" (VGRS) which can feel sort of unresponsive at low speeds. Worn suspension components: shocks, sway bushings, link bushings, control arms contribute to that vagueness.

if you're serious about that LX, ask the dealer to balance the tires, then drive it again. Drive it to an independent shop and have it inspected.