Heavy Shaking During Acceleration

First - I've seen a bunch of posts while searching this topic. Some were similar but nobody seemed to have this specific issue, or a fix. If there's a thread that matches feel free to drop a link.

2008 Tacoma V6 4x4 6sp - Original suspension, aftermarket wheels. Tires are balanced. Brakes are new. Tires/wheels fit with no mods to the body, only a few cuts in the plastic.

Any time I'm on the gas, accelerating from a stop, accelerating at neighborhood speeds or highway speeds, the hood, entire dash, steering wheel, shifter and for the most part cab itself shake like crazy. It started out about a month ago with just the head unit in the dash shaking. We thought it may have been the head unit pocket or a mount of some kind. It wasn't, and it's progressed to way worse. Whether I'm driving off from a stop or down the highway it feels like I'm on rumble strips the entire time when I'm giving it gas. Over the last few weeks it went from an annoying shaking in the center of the dash to the entire cab shaking.

Anytime I give it gas, shaking. When I'm coasting down a hill and let off the gas, no shaking, only the shifter vibrates. If I push the clutch in and rev the engine, no shaking. It only shakes when I'm in gear, giving it gas at any speed on any terrain, any angle, etc.

Also, my appointment to inspect my frame for the recent recall is later this week. However, all the rickety squeaking bullshit is probably related to that. I can't imagine a [possibly] rusted frame would have anything to do with this.

I've got an appointment in a few days to try again in having it diagnosed but figured I'd see what you dudes had to say in the mean time while I panic.

 

Motor and/or trans mounts would be one place to inspect.

 

Carrier bearing? I had a bad motor mount and bad carrier bearing and it shook like crazy accelerating...

 

u joint

 

This may or may not be way off, but I was recently at the Toyota dealership and they had mentioned a little known issue, but not a recall, where the truck would vibrate heavily upon takeoff. My truck had a just a little vibration so they checked it out for me, but it was considered normal. The tech stated that his truck DID have the problem and had to have something in the drivetrain replaced. I don't recall if it was the transmission, torque converter, etc., but I remember him explaining it as a very heavy shake. I know this is vague and your Taco is likely beyond its warranty, but it might be worth looking into with the dealer.

 

i work for a dealer and had the same issue with a taco and the rear u joint was rusty and wasnt moving like it should and cause a crazy vib. replaced all the u joints and the carrier bearing and it was good to go. you at the u joints and see if you see rust by the seals and if you do that means they are probably bad cause theres no grease in there

 

U-Joints more than likely.
Have you ever greased them?

 

are your tires cupped? I have had similar issues and noticed that whatever the issue is, it has caused severe cupped tires. I just ordered new shocks and will now inspect the u-joint as others have mentioned above. ummmm what does the u joint look like lol?

 

With bad motor mounts and a bad carrier bearing would it still shake with the clutch engaged, revving the engine? Mine shakes like crazy when I'm in gear and giving it gas, but if I engage the clutch it stops shaking.

 

Driveshaft disconnected (busted) at what I assume is the U-joint, while driving. It was so fun.

Then the tow truck picked me up. He got a flat. Then the next tow truck showed up, 3 hours later.

The first shop I took it to, "there's no shaking."
The second shop I took it to, "your head unit must be loose, take it to an audio guy."
We'll see how bad I'm raped at the third shop for this BS.

Don't move to Colorado.

 

Yep, That is a U Joint. And yep it is broken.

Hopefully it didn't break the Yoke where it attaches.

 

We'll see. What's worst case scenario for repair like this, price wise, etc.? I figured I'd ask, because it seems like 'worst case scenario' is what I'm best at this whole day.

 

That really sucks @MasterYota ! Sorry you're going through this. Apparently it was definitely the U-Joint.

 

Eh, maybe I'll get lucky and it'll be something somewhat simple and not too ridiculously expensive.

 

Crossing my fingers for you that it's not any worse than your photo shows.

Thought my day was going poorly! Went to the car wash intending to take photos of the truck tonight. Right after the wash soaped my truck up it shut off. And never came back on. Went to another car wash only to find an abandoned vehicle blocking the entrance. Went to a third car wash and it busted off my antenna. lol Guess I should have taken it off.

Humbling to see what you're going thru though.

 

Not real sure. I have read often that if you take it to Toyota they will want to sell you a drive shaft assembly complete. Read this as over 1000.00 dollars. Do not do this. Take it to a drive line shop to get it repaired if it is above your skills. It will be cheaper, a lot cheaper. Esp if the front yoke is not broken, ( pray that it is not ). Toyota doesn't sell this part separately from what I have heard, don't quote me on this I could be wrong.

Get all of the u-joints replaced and then grease them every oil change. That will prevent this from happening again.

Can you get a picture of the rear of the transmission where the drive shaft connects ( Yoke )?

 

Nevermind, the minute tension was released on the driveline it went away...


Edit: read the rest, guess that solves that...

 

from the pictures looks like both caps are still in the yoke. hopefully the joint just broke and all you need is to replace it.

 

Jimmy has the best advice.
Grease at every oil change.