CV axle wobble/steering wheel vibration

1999 Toyota Tacoma 3.4L V6 4x4 IFS
Went mudding last night, got stuck in a tractor rut bad, was drug out backwards .
This morning driving i had a vibration through my steering wheel, at slow and fast speeds, it was significant.
No vibration while turning or braking.
Got it up on jack stands and moved the tires back and forth and everything was tight, no play.
Passenger side cv axle was tight

Driver side cv axle had quite a bit of play in it at housing. back and forth
Would the cv axle cause my vibration?
After installing my lift the cv boots leaked grease and are at steep angles.
Boots are not torn.

Is it bad to drive like this in 2 wheel drive? freeway speeds and in general?

Replaced steering rack bushing and had tires aligned and balanced after lift install in November.

Have not tried in 4 wheel drive in fear of tearing up the splines
Wheels are also full of mud.

Also should i replace both cv axles?

Suggestions would be awesome.

I have used the search button and looked on the interweb but i couldnt find my specific problem...or im blind.

Thanks guys!

 

Clean the mud out of your wheels. Inspect tires for tread damage. Ensure all your lugs are torqued to spec. If no luck there, get your tires balanced.

Report back when all this is taken care of if you still have the issue.

Lots of things cause lots of things. Start eliminating.

 

alright, i washed all the mud out of my tires and brakes, dont have a torque wrench but all the lugs are tight, it did help significantly thanks! the mud in the tires makes sense. however there is still a vibration.
also we didnt jerk my truck around much, it was a steady pull.

 

Still, bein dragged through the mud can easily dislodge balance weights. I'd make a wheel balance your next step.

 

F the weights, a loose CV axel is not good... Got pics/vid? Could have a busted CV.

 

I have a dollar that says it's the normal slop these CVs sometimes have.

 

Could be right. Never had a "loose" CV though...

 

Almost all of 'em have 1/4 to 1/2" of play.

 

thanks for the replies guys, I will get a vid up tomorrow.

 

Interesting... Ill have to check mine out...

 

So took my tire off, moving it up and down and spinning. thanks again for the help guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emvzU_D13Xw

 

well, hopefully its ok to drive like this in 2wd till i have the time/money to install new cvs anyone else have input?

 

Did you ever figure this out ?

 

It's been 7 years so I'd hope so. When I broke the splined end of a CV off in the diff it had similar play as OP's

 

Do the 1st gen tacomas have an issue with excessive play in the driver's side needle bearing in the transfer case?

 

This is a common problem with Toyota differential carriers. In the video description there's a link to the ECGS website and they explain very well what the issue is in a short video. Installing ECGS bushing fixes the problem. Watch and Learn.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXIfHArtvF8

 

Greetings Timmah! I love your videos. I have installed ECGS clamshell bushing in a 4th gen 4runner that had lots of cv axle play and resulting vibration. I guess the newer install tool has been trimmed because it went in without a struggle.

I just wondered if it was as big of an issue with 1st gen Tacomas.

 

Yeah, after I shot the video I called ECGS and talked with one of their head guys and they said they knew about the issue with the tool and they were in the process of redesigning it. They came out with the new design around a month later and sent me the new tool for free. I documented this update in a pinned comment.

Yes, 1st Gen Tacomas and 3rd Gen 4runners have the same issue with the differential carrier. 1st Gen Tacomas and 3rd Gen 4runners are essentially the same when it comes to the drivetrain. There are some differences but they are very much alike.

 

Good to know, but also bad to know because I was hoping to avoid it on the Tacoma. It really doesn't have much play at all even with 230k mi. the 4runner with 212k mi. was well past 0.050 of slop before the ECGS bushing.

 

It seems more of an issue when you lift the rig. My 98 3rd Gen 4runner has a 2.5" lift in the front and I haven't had to do it yet and I bet I probably won't because I did the manual hub swap mod on it so my cv axles only spin when I'm wheeling.