Vibration Problem?

I have a 2007 PreRunner V6 with a six speed and 111K trouble free miles
I notice lately that I am getting some vibration during acceleration, particularly at low speed. I can't seem to locate the culprit. I have checked underneath and see no leaks or evidence of anything wrong.

Any ideas on what it might be?

 

Tire balance?

 

Check the Universal Joints and Center Bearing. If they haven't been replaced already. 111K is a lot of miles on a U Joint esp if it wasn't greased regularly.

 

Thanks guys, the U joints are original. I will give them another look. I don't think it is tire balance as the vibration doesn't happen at high speed, just during acceleration and usually at lower speeds.What ever it is, it seems to be getting worse. I would rather not get the final effect out on the hi way.

Randy

 

From your description: " just during acceleration and usually at lower speeds " does indeed sound like u-joints. The only good way to check the U Joints is to remove the drive shaft from the truck. A pain but worth it over having that sucker come loose on the highway as you stated.

 

Any " clunks" herd going from fwd to reverse while the brakes are applied. Use to to this before I'd pull out the stands and jack to shake the shaft for movement.

 

Check motor and tranny mounts

 

That is not a reliable way to check the universal joints. It could give you a false sense of security. With 111K miles, it is worth the effort to make sure.

 

I haven't removed the drive shaft yet. I guess that is the next step 8^(

The only place I see any slack is at the junction of the drive shaft and transmission. There is a large bell shaped covering that prevent me from seeing inside. I get @ 0.1" of movement there and about the same at the rubber support at the middle drive shaft assy. Nowhere do I see any evidence of oil leaks. The U-joints have no zerk fittings to add grease.

I do not get any clunking sounds yet.

The whole thing feels much like when one of the rear axle bearings went out on my old Ford PU, but that was easy to find due to the oil that started issuing from the rear brake drum 8^(

I really appreciate all the responses guys.

 

Check u joints as said, look at your springs, any cracks, u bolts on springs tight?

 

x2

Also check around the grease seals on each of the four needle bearing caps. Broken/worn or rust stained (dry/rusted needles) should flag a replacement. If you want to be real sure - spend the time to pull the driveshaft and check it real good ...

 

That combined with 111 Thousand Miles probably equals U joints are worn out.

 

Worked every time for me. I would first unload the shaft then check for play. I can see if the shaft was loaded it giving a false reading.

I'm nothing more than a backyard wrench runner when I need to be.

173,000 miles original u joints. But I grease them every 7k when I change the oil.

 

x whatever number on the front U-joints.

 

V6 Prerunners have no drive train zerk's, at least on my '12. Probably true for '07 too.

 

I get the same thing on my '06. I just start out in 4th gear and then shift into D at about 45 MPH and that eliminates the vibration. If my U-joints ar worn out (120,000 miles) can I just let it go until it gets worse or am I risking further damage? In other words am I being penny-wise but pound foolish by not taking it into the dealer now?

 

Does it go away when in 4x4 high? If so it's your carrier bearing.

 

Must be hit and miss. My 2012 Prerunner has jerks.

 

Yes. If it is the universal joints it can screw up the yoke(s) in the drive shaft and just imagine what could happen if the drive shaft fell out at highway speed....

None of these are good.

 

Well I bit the bullet and replaced all the U-joints and that solved the problem. Many thanks to those who made the diagnosis.

Wow, changing U-joints is a major PIA. It is not a one man job, but can be done by one. A helper sure would have been great to have. Remember to mark everything to make sure every thing fits together properly. Better yet take a picture. I just marked positions and still managed to assemble it wrong. Also rent a press tool. It makes everything easier. It still took all afternoon and was not fun. It took a whole lot of cussing to get things right.

The end result is a very smooth running truck. Hopefully they will last another 111K 8^)

Randy