Solution: PreRunner Driveshaft Alignment with Rear Lift. No Vibes/CB Damage!

Hey guys,

Thought I'd share my experience with lifts and driveshaft/carrier bearing alignment on my '11 PreRunner. It all started with TSB+AAL rear springs. I heard some vibrations while at speed, and louder when above 60mph. So I looked under the truck where I thought vibtration/humming came from. And I spotted my carrier bearing. Started to see some bashing of my Carrier Bearing (CB), and when I got All-Pro 3" Standard Lift springs, my CB eventually blew out. Its just a bearing in a rubber pillow holding the 2wd/PreRunner driveshaft up between the axle and transmission.

The lift causes the driveshaft to be "shorter" due to the greated angle after lift. And the CB has a neutral position on the driveshaft, which LOWERS and MOVES REARWARD with lift.

MORE EVIDENT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE OF SHAFT. ITS STICKING OUT INSTED OF FLUSH.




So I tried the Beefed Taco CB bracket, which lowers the mounting of the CB for better angle. It did align the angle of the driveshaft well, but then this is when it was evident that the driveshaft has moved rearward. My CB bearing gave out and my vibrations at 60mph got terrible (driveshaft flopping around...)



So I bought a replacement CB (NOT CHEAP!) and noticed the start of some wear on the rubber. So after some research I decided to try these All-Pro axle relocation plates which shift the axle forward 3/4"




This caused my U-bolts to have to be at an angle but it worked out. More than 1/2 of the vibes in the road went away but still at 60/70 loudest. And when I went off-road, I'd start wearing the rubber on CB from it not being aligned all the way. The transmission/driveshaft did still stick out but only 1/4" to 3/8" only now.

But thanks to the forums a guy hinted to use a Driveshaft Spacer instead of the axle plates, which is a spacer between the axle pinion and the driveshaft. Since I used 3/4" axle plates and needed more distance, I ordered a 1" driveshaft spacer from 4crawler.com. They sell different size spacers from 3/4" to 1.5".

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DriveshaftSpacer.shtml#65mmx65mm




AND THEN....










AND MY CB AND DRIVESHAFT ARE ALIGNED! All my vibrations at speed are gone and the truck drives great with the axle back where it needs to be without the axle plates and with the Beefed Taco lowering bracket AND driveshaft spacer. This may not be an issue on your truck, but I'm sure a 2wd/PreRunner with 3"+ lift should have this problem as I did. Thought I'd share the information.

4Crawler Driveshaft Spacer (I got 1" spacer for 3" springs):
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DriveshaftSpacer.shtml#65mmx65mm

BeefedTaco CB Bracket: 1.5" drop
http://stores.streetacos.com/-strse-1/carrier-bearing-driveshaft-vibration/Detail.bok

 

I was under the impression that rather than force the full driveshaft misalignment through the front U joint, it may be best to raise the carrier bearing and share the angle of movement through the three U joints.

PK

 

Hm, you may have a point. Though the driveshaft spacer is still crucial to fix the displacement of the driveshaft, the CB drop is not "required". I just didn't try the spacer without the CB drop bracket since I had it installed and all looked well afterwards.

 

Might have to fork over the money and get one of these, but I am 4WD.

 

I'm not sure about the 4WD, I thought they had a slip yoke in the middle of the driveshaft so not a CB to damage or other side effects....just that the slip yoke is more extended. I can't see why it would not work though to get the shaft back in its original location with a lift in rear.

 

There is a slip yoke and a CB on 4wds.

 

Another source for these spacers, Just posted on their Facebook.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/inde...e-off-road-in-75-1-0-1-25-lengths-tdt-ds.html

 

Very nice, those are half the price, and black! haha. Good find, bad timing for me

 

The only possible thing to look at would be full compression of the rear suspension, with the spacer the DS will be pushing further into the trans. at full rear suspension compression.
Hopefully there is enough room for the extra length at full compression to not cause any harm to the tranny housing.
Just thinking it may be worth checking.

 

Great point, anyone had the chance to check this?

 

Yup, 4wds don't need this! Still, good to know!!!

 

What bolt pattern did you order?

 

Sub'd ... I just ordered the .75" thick 65mm X 65mm from 4crawler

I have a 2" AAL but I'm about to add the 1" block to the axle as the 4" spindles are installed

See what happens then ... something has to work

The OME CB drop didn't help ... just moved the vibes to a different mph

 

I will tell you as of ten minutes ago that the low range piece does not work on a prerunner. Fml.

So im guessing the prerunner pattern is 65x65 as the gentleman above has ordered, that is not one of the fitments the manufacturer says is on there and confirms 65x65 is probably right

What is the proper way to measure? Seems like a rectangle not a square

 

Ordered 66x66x11for 06 prerunner from 4crawler Will update on fitment when recieved

 

66x66x11 for me. Since the bolts are 11mm there is only one possible choice. I would guess all prerunner sport v6 are like mine. Can't confirm for other models

 

subd

 

I'm wondering what I need to measure to know what size to order. 2008 prerunner doublecab with a 4" block on the rear. Now the black cylinder that joins the transmission is sticking out of the silver can at the tranny about 3/4". Any information welcome.

 

OP,

How long were you able to drive the truck with the driveshaft sticking out of the transmission before the CB gave out? My 3rd gen prerunner is suffering the same issue with the slip yoke however it isn’t sticking out of the transmission I can just tell it’s not fully engaged. I’m thinking worst case scenario the driveshaft would fail but the transmission itself would be unharmed?

 

Did the 66x66x11 spacer work on your 06 Tacoma Prerunner. I Have an 06 prerunner Trd and I'm looking to install a spacer for a 3 inch all pro lift.