New front end vibes, any ideas?

K well I think I developed a new vibe today. I noticed it at anywhere from 35-50mph, but I didn't have any room to go much faster so I don't know what the freeway will be like. Its not a strong vibe, its only one you would notice if you're a guy like me who knows exactly what his truck sounds and feels like.

-symptoms: Front end light 'pulsing' vibration. To me its the sound that I got on my old ranger when I left my hubs locked in, but running in 2WD. Its typically on a light acceleration, but I dont remember if it went away when slowing down, I think it did.

Now.... thinking about my hubs being locked in, I'm on a straight area of road and I pop my 4WD in for a second. Guess what, the vibe went away. Drive it for a few yards, still gone. Pop it out of 4WD, I hear the solenoid under my dash click, I feel my transfer case disengage, and then the second I feel/hear my hubs click out, the vibe comes back.

Sitting in the shop, I played with the CV's a little bit, theres no real play in the passenger side CV, but the drivers side has that play that everyone questioned for awhile, but it seems really out of specs to me. The CV has alot of play in the front end housing. I'll ask the same thing that many others have before, is this really normal???

If thats normal, then what is causing my new vibe in 2WD?

 

anyone?

 

I'm getting a similar vibe... its at the dealer today. I'm only 2wd though. It has the techs stumped, but once I get it back or know something I'll let you know. It sounds like my same symptoms... They told me their gonna check my driveline and all the engine mount welds to make sure no breaks or stuff...

 

haha alright! Thanks! I'd like to believe we'd have to same problem, but I'd doubt it if you're a pre-runner, it feels like a front end issue specifically, and since its when I step on the gas, I'm thinking driveline/CV related. Please let me know either way, I'm typically wrong

Love the sig.

 

Alright, bearing is a good possibility, completely overlooked that. Are the bearings serviceable or is it a complete assembly with the hub? May end up taking it in if thats the case, still have 40k left on warranty Assuming bearings are covered....


But please tell me this, if the hubs are always locked, then why does the noise come about a second AFTER the typical 'clunk' of the transfer case? I hear a click afterwards, and thats when the vibe/noise comes back.

 

Ok I think I get it.... solenoid kicks in, allows vacuum, once ECU senes diff out, solenoid kicks out..... essentially, click CLUNK click.

 

this is an established issue, with the front differential.

Read this thread: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220615

 

I got this same thing...very scared to take it to the dealer.

 

me too. Lifted w/ 5100's and eibach coils, AAL in the rear. Didn't notice any vibes for the first 50 miles, then I got it aligned and put a diff drop in. Have had the vibe that goes away in 4wd ever since.

You running a diff drop or not?

I am planning on rotating my tires (to account for possible uneven wear prior to alignment), checking my wheel bearings for play, checking my cv shafts for play, and then possibly speaking with the dealer to see if they can diagnose the issue.

 

Mine is at the dealer today, they're replacing the front diff. Glad it is still under warranty!

 

I did. I found it happened between about 25 and 40 mph. Just got off the phone from the dealer who just finished the work, I asked if they have upgraded the diff or is it still the same. He said they haven't made any changes so I'm thinking I might be doing this again after another 40,000 miles.

 

Okay, whatever this issue is... I managed to get it to go away tonight. It originally started right after I kicked in the 4WD for a little 'warmup' since I hadn't used it all summer.

Tonight after getting frustrated with it, I played with the 4WD in and out a few more times, third time was a charm because the noise/vibe finally didn't come back. Afraid to throw it back in 4WD for now until I figure out what it is.... sounds like something is out of adjustment.

EDIT: btw I do have the diff drop spacer.

I just read the TN thread a little... seems like I might be able to get the dealer to fix, I would think after being in a few times in the past year they might be getting annoyed by me though. Especially when you consider the lift.

 

The front wheel bearing is servicable.the stealership sells them at around $150. it isn't pressed into the knuckle but i think it is pressed into the splined hub

 

Def not a wheel bearing though now.

 

Well I've had the truck back for a few days now, there is a shiny new diff under there and no vibration. Still worried that this is a band-aid solution. I know that they have been using the same front end for years now and can't understand why there is a problem all of a sudden.

As a side note I put on a TRD cai today and I'm not sure if it has added any power but it does sound good!