Drive Shaft Vibrations Solved Step-by-Step

Tried the Beefed Taco CB bracket, but still haven't fixed my vibes.

Was looking around under the truck today and spotted these scratches on the yokes of the joint by the CB





Anyone ever see anything like this?? Gosh I hope it's been there since the factory

Also the angle of the joint through the carrier bearing looks extreme to me, any thoughts?

 

Angle is a bit high for sure, marks on yoke definitely look like they are coming into contact. If they are coming into contact, then the angle would cause a vibration for sure. My suggestion would be to run a temporary test and place a couple of washers on the back side of the Carrier bearing mount. The idea here is to add a change to the ANGLE of the mount, without changing the POSITION of the mount. I will be honest, from the earlier video you posted it looks like the carrier bearing assembly may be a little "soft" allowing too much movement when loading up. You have some REAL axle wrap issues there which I would believe is a contributing factor as well. Having these multiple small things adds up to one LARGE issue. I notice you have an AAL to your rear suspension. Have you considered, just as a test, installing a set of cheap traction springs to reduce the wrap and see if the shudder goes away?

 

I guess I'm not understanding how the yoke's could be coming into contact to cause the marks. The angle between the two halves of the driveshaft is pretty minimal.

Also, do you mean regular round washers behind the CB bracket? Wouldn't that just space it down without changing angle of the bracket?

I hadn't entertained traction springs to test for axle wrap since I could see alot of play in the CB

I really appreciate your help.

 

It would take extreme movement for the yokes to come into contact with each other, however the video you posted before shows some extreme movement. Have you taken a video that captures the yoke itself? This would be helpful. As for the washers, I am not meaning to place them in the bolt hole. What I am talking about I will try and show below. You place the washer half way in, between the CB drop kit and the CB itself. Doing this on the left and right sides. (NOT the front and back, so only one washer per side) This will force the carrier itself to alter its angle, rather than simply moving the carrier up and down. It's not meant as a permanent fix, but just simply a testing method.

 

As far as the angle goes, got it.

Still worried about the wear marks, I can't help but think if it was making contact while driving it would make a horrendous sound, more so than a slight vibration.

I think I will add some paint or chalk and see if it is still making contact

 

Would it not be the same as installing them on the topside of the bracket between the silver bracket and the black square where it is mounted?

 

Either way would work, yes, but typically it is easier to get to the lower area.

 

Anyone have any extra 2 1/2 to Degree shim laying around?

 

Good stuff. (Mech/Aero here) - Great stuff by OP and you. My way to resolve the negative affects of DS vibes is to vary speed as not to let the truck stay in the (for me) the harmonic at 30 mph. This thread may motivate me to take the actions described herein. I had a brand new spare (race team spare) that I just installed after 90,000 miles.

 

Thanks for all the great post and suggestions.. i am trying to find the issue on my 2013 Tacoma of a small takeoff vibrations after I have added a 3" lift front and 3" rear with shims.

 

Just for fun I'll throw this out there, my take off vibes are basically non-existent on cool mornings!

This morning was 65deg F, little to no vibes. Versus in the afternoons its usually around 100deg F, and I have annoying vibes.

I may be over analyzing this but I think this issue is so sensitive even a relatively small change in temperature affects the stiffness of the CB bushing enough to create an issue.

Anybody else notice a similar trend?

 

Mine is the same way. Mornings with a cool truck = much less take off vibes. Afternoon/evening with warm truck = much more vibes and confirmed much more play in the bearing. This is on a 2013 DCSB with only 24k miles.

 

This just reaffirims my thought of the weak ass floppy dick rubber that supports the center carrier bearing is the cause and filling it with something to stiffen it up would be beneficial.

 

Its been cooler this week in Alabama, high 60's around my morning commute, definitely can tell a difference in the vibrations. Insane.

 

Mine is worse in cold weather.

 

booooooo!

There is no trend with this problem for anyone, besides that we have Tacomas and can't leave well-enough alone

 

Still, temperature is making a difference and that's a constant. Could be that the drive shaft needs to be in a perfect spot inside the cb. A little expansion in hot weather or contraction in cold weather could shift it in either direction. That would still support the floppy dick rubber theory.

 

For sure. At least the theory has a name that's stuck.

 

Fuck it yeah I'm giving my floppy dick cb rubber some Viagra when I get the time in the form of permatex ultra black to stiffen her up.

 

Maybe hang a set of truck nutz off the CB?