Vibe vs. Shutter questions

Here's my story.

step 1 - Had Donohoe front coilovers on, Light Racing UCA's, rear leaf TSB with no vibes or shutter. Donohoes were set to 2.25".

step 2 - Installed All Pro armor on the front and I raised the Donohoes another 3/8" on top of that to make up for the amount the front end sagged after adding the armor. Again, no vibes or shutter, but the suspension angles didn't change.

step 3 - Installed OME rear leaf pack (2.75") and new rear shocks and I've developed a very light "shutter" when taking off from 0-5mph. I've only driven ~20 miles with the new leafs but have hit 70mph and I only have this "shutter".

Now for the questions.
1. Is this "shutter" what people are calling "vibes"?
2. Do the vibrations develop over time or are they immediately noticable after the lift is installed?
3. If I raised my front end another 3/8" (that's where the Donohoes max out at for a 3" lift) is there a chance that I'd change the suspension angles and lose the "shutter"?

I have the Carrier Bearing sitting in the garage but don't know if I'm going to install it.

What do you guys recommend? My current plans are to raise the front end the last 3/8" and see what happens.

 

What?

 

What he's referring to " a shim" is a little wedge that sits between the leafspring and the leaf-perch on the axle. What it does is rotate your axle 3* so that the angle of your driveline is about the same as it was before you lifted it. It's a very common problem/fix.

Shims are pretty easy to install, you usually don't even have to take the u-bolts off, just loosen them enough to fit the shim in place then line it up and retighten the ubolts. They are cheap too. your local 4x shop probably has some or Toytec and and the like have them on their website.

The other option is a carrier bearing drop, real easy to install but not as much a sure bet as the shims. Some folks use the bearing drop and shims to correct the problem.

 

1. So the shims go next to the pin that the shocks sit over?
2. Would the shim would have the vertical member closese to the front of the truck or the back? Another way of asking the same question is am I trying to raise the front of the leaf (which is what I'd guess) or the back of the leaf?
3. Finally, is this totally an "angle" problem? Would raising my front up a bit change the angles and help to solve the problem or is that a pipe dream?

Thanks for the help!

 

1. You separate the leafsprings from the axle and then stick the shim in between the two. there is a bolt that goes through your leafsrings to hold them together, on one end of the bolt is like round tab or 'locating pin' that fits in a hole on your leafperch (welded to the axle), the shim has a hole in it and that locating pin just slides through the hole and into the leafperch like before. It's easy once you see it.
2. The shim only rotates the axle a tiny bit, it does not move the axle forward or backward.
3. You can lift the front 2 feet or drop it 2 feet and it won't change the angle of your rear driveline. The only way to change the driveline angle is to raise the rear of the truck.

 

Why yes, vibes do make my wife shudder.
"Shutters" hang from your windows.

I would actually recommend the carrier bearing drop first. It takes like 10 minutes to install and you already have it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, buy some shims and take on the more laborious job of installing them.

You'll get it. Be patient.

 

I got under the truck tonight and kind of see what you are talking about. I lifted the front end 3/8" and it made NO difference.
Tomorrow I'll install the carrier bearing spacer and see if that helps. If not, I'll buy the shims.

To be more clear, does the shim rotate the rear axel CW or CCW. I'd assume CW is what I want. (That's my way of asking #2 more clearly, hope that's better).

Oh, sorry on the window covering reference... shimmy, shake, elvis the pelvis, whatever...

 

If you're looking from driver's side, shims will twist the axle clockwise. It will take the part of the axle where the drive shaft connects and point it more straight at the carrier bearing joint.

 

Install that carrier bearing drop kit, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

 

I did install it and unfortunately I am disappointed! It didn't do squat! The shudder was never too bad, but if I can get rid of it, I'd rather it be gone. Off to look into the 3 degree shims now... maybe I can get that Toytec discount... hit me up via PM if you would!

 

Wow! I feel sorry for ya man! I had vibes like crazy, and nothing helped! I finally said screw it, and ordered a one piece drive shaft, and never looked back. Hope you get rid of your vibes!

 

^^^

 

Parts shipped today. Probably going to install the 3 degree shims before removing the carrier bearing shim kit, even though I've red the shims may do the job by themselves. Hope this works!

 

I installed the 3 degree shims yesterday and the vibe is still there. Almost no noticable changes. I'll remove the carrier bearing shim next to see if that makes a difference.

If the carrier bearing shim removal doesn't work, is my only other option a new one piece drive shaft? The vibe really isn't "that bad" and it's only from 0 to maybe 15 mph. My big gripe is that my driveway is SO STEEP that whenever I go up it, the damn truck shakes like crazy, otherwise I may just ignore it.

 

I just finished installing my Dakars and no vibe! But I did remove the 3rd leaf and installed the carrier bearing drop kit. Love it so far, I don't know how to explain it, but it just drives better. Next week coilovers!

 

You have a TRD Sport and longer drive shaft. Your angles are probably better...

 

I may be wrong, but I should have the same length truck as you. In Canada the 6 Speed manuals/ Double cabs are all short beds.

 

Learn somethin' new every day. I kept in the 3rd leaf and added the axel shims so I probably am 2 leafs higher than you are. Carrier bearing drop kit comes off tomorrow night after work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Anyone know how much a Tom Woods drive shaft costs?