Steering Wheel shakes at 45mph and up, why?

SKYHIGH2317

MEMBER
1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
171,000 MILES

1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD 3.4L V6 Automatic

Bought it with this problem and this is what I've done some far to solve it with no prevail:

*4 New tires(31" mud terrian)and Wheels with balance and alignment
*Shocks
*Steering Gear Bushings

Everything has been installed professionally.

My mechanic thought it was the steering gear bushings but it wasn't. All that did was eliminate any play in my steering in general. The car drives fine. You only feel/see the shake in only the steering wheel while driving at 45mph and up. All I can find online is in regards to "while braking" and that's not the case.
My mechanic said that it could be my Tie Rod Ends? He said he noticed 'some wear' on them but 'nothing to be concerned about really.' Or to add a Steering Stabilizer. I looked online and came to the conclusion that this particular model of 4Runner doesn't have a stabilizer and they don't make one for it either.

What do you think is the problem and how do I go about solving it?

Thank you,
Ross

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

You can check the tie rods by having the wheels on the gound. Start the engine place a hand on the tie rod shaft then have someone rock the wheel back and fourth short rapid strokes check both sides. If the bad you will feel play or popping. If one side is bad replace all the tie rods as a set.