New (to me) Tacoma has odd vibration

Hello! I have finally acquired myself a Tacoma. After years of rebuilding GM trucks I took the plunge, and I have to say I'm looking forward to what's to come. I'm a journeyman pipefitter, shade tree mechanic, and studying to be a mechanical engineer. I absolutely love buying neglected trucks and fixing them up the right way. I recently bought an abused 2007 GMC Sierra Denali, rebuild the engine, cleaned it all up, and that's my daily. But, it got boring in a hurry. So I looked around for a good platform for a new project and I think I found it.

After days of deliberating, I just tonight I picked up a 2006 Radiant Red TRD Sport, in a double cab short bed with the 6 speed. Bought it off the original owner, and she kept every single receipt for every single service ever done throughout its entire 375'000km life. Yes. I'm hoping to clean this thing up and bring it across the half million mark. The best part, is after a good hard polish, I guarantee no one would be able to tell it's a high mileage unit. It has been insanely well kept.

I know, I know, pictures. I'll get some tomorrow with my good camera. When I do a build, I like to really capture all the little flaws in the "before" pictures.

Anyway, after taking it on the freeway to get it home I noticed it had a weird hum/vibration. It is definitely linked to the front wheels. When I put it in neutral while rolling, it doesn't change. If I brake, it doesn't change. If I steer left, it doesn't change. If I turn right, it stops entirely. I'm kind of stumped. I'm going to give the front end a good teardown and inspection this weekend, but I was just wondering if this is something that might be common. The driveshaft was just serviced with new U joints, and wouldn't be affected by turning, so that rules that out. Any ideas?

And I'm glad to join the family. I look forward to making this truck a high mileage marvel.

 

A hum that goes away during a turn is usually the wheel bearing. I've had both go bad on the front at different times & it sounds exactly like what you describe.

And Welcome to TW!

 

I thought so. I'll jack it up and check it out.

Also. Forgot to mention that I learned how to turn wrenches 10 years ago on my first Toyota. Bought a 1991 Celica in red, 5 speed, lasted 2 weeks and spun a rod bearing. It turns out I bought a car that was on its way out, so I learned the hard way. I was young and didn't know much, I ended up buying a car that was a massive lemon. Being short on cash, I had no choice but to learn how to fix it. So I cleaned out my parents garage, started working weekends and after school to buy tools and parts. Ended up swapping a low km engine from and MR2, all new fuel and brake lines, new fuel tank, hand formed a new floor pan on the driver's side, and tons of new little parts. That's how it all started I would say.