Hi-
I have a one owner 99 sr5 4wd, 247,000 miles, a great car in very good condition. Since spring 2008 I've had 3 brake jobs, the last by a toyota dealer. Tires were changed in Jan. 09, rims were changed spring of 09. The problem---steering wheel shakes badly, except for a brief period since the dealer service. They replaced the front brake pads, machined front rotors, replaced rear shoes and machined drums, test drove; replaced left front tie rod; front end alignment. Went back 2 weeks later and 'matched tires to rims' to smooth out ride.
2 weeks later after driving on washboard roads in UT, the shakes returned while braking down the mountain passes of the San Juans in CO. Maybe my 4Runner just needs a drink??
Seriously, any ideas? Besides trade-in?
THANKS

 

First of all, 250k miles is not a cream puff for a 99, no matter how you shake it.
Second, you don't brake down colorado or utah mountains. If you drive like that then yes you will probably continue to have problems. You use the engine via transmission to brake down big mountains; not your brakes. Big no no.
One problem could be cv joints just due to old age. If they do not rotate freely they will vibrate the vehicle as will bad u joints as they will do the same. Some will clank down the road but some will just shake the drivetrain. Next time find a lower milage vehicle as 250k miles is when "rightfully" things are starting to wear out.