Buzzy Vibration at certain RPM's..read before buying!

I have been displeased with both Toyota purchases [2014 FJC and 2015 Taco] when it comes to the salesperson and their poor job performance. I'm looking for a commuter car right now, Toyota isn't even on the map as far as looking at their offerings. Dodge does better then Toyota and that ain't saying too much. While I like the product, pretty much everything involved with the purchase experience and after the fact is sub par to most other manufacturers in my personal experience.

 

I did talk to a GM at the local Ford Dealer a few weeks back and he said it will be very close to the current model being built overseas with some changes for US production......

http://www.caradvice.com.au/374762/2016-ford-ranger-review/

 

I spoke with two different service department locations at Toyota and both have not heard of this issue. Both indicate that their system didn't pull up any past issues. Odd.

Has this issue been found in the TRD Off Road DC AT or MT? It appeared most was with the other trims, but wanted to check.

Have we confirmed that changing the muffler removes or mitigates the vibration? Is the theory of the engine mounts still a likely culprit of the vibration?

Really looking at pulling the trigger here on a new Tacoma, but if this a prevalent and significant issue that cannot be reasonably resolved (through minor mods or replacements), I may look elsewhere.

 

I suggest you steer away from Tacoma until Toyota fixes the issue. I did. I am waiting either for open acknowledgement/TSB (preferable) or at least lack of new reports of the issue as the 2017 start to roll in.

 

I have a TRD OR M/T and have the issue. The only saving grace is with the M/T you can shift out of that RPM range. Instead of cruising at 2100-2400 RPM I just choose my gear so i am at 2800-3000 RPM. Still some vibrating in the pedals and floor at that range but it is reasonable and at least my hands don't go numb.

With that said, I have a Borla catback on order so will test out that theory mid June when it arrives. I don't expect that to fully cure the problem, but hopefully it pulls some of the buzzing vibration out of the 2000-3000 RPM range that people tend to operate in most of the time.

There are a few different theories floating around but I am pretty sure we can all agree it is a resonant vibration either exciting the cabin or making its way from the source to the cabin, not being adequately damped along the way. The root cause is unknown and by the sole fact that I have seen reports of this issue on other toyota vehicles in the past (echoing our situation here almost to a tee), I do not have faith that Toyota will issue a TSB (I was unable to find one for the other vehicles over the years, dating back several years. The closest thing was a large weight added to the land cruiser frame and a steering wheel damper, both possibly unrelated to this type of vibration). We will be on our own to figure out or fix the issue, based also on how Toyota has responded to several members here that have the issue.

 

I was under the truck today and was surprised at how rigid the exhaust system was, pretty sure the source of the vibrations / harmonics is exhaust related now.

 

Thanks unclemat and aero90 for your responses and feedback. I think if it could be verified that the vibration could be significantly reduced through the exhaust system, I'd be in to buy. At that point, I'd at least know that I wouldn't have to dive into the engine, mounts, or trans (which doesn't seem like the source) to alleviate the problem.

There's no perfect truck for me, but the Tacoma is pretty close. Yes, I shouldn't have to buy a muffler or cat-back just to fix a manufacture problem, but things could be worse. Plus I don't mind tinkering with things.

aero90, interested to hear how things turn out with your new Borla cat back when it's installed.

 

Has anyone ridden around without the exhaust from the catalytic converter back? Wouldn't that help diagnose if that is truly the issue?

I have Icons and Dakars that netted roughly 3" front and back. Prior to the lift I remember the buzzing at higher speeds with hardly any shudder coming to a stop as described in this thread. Post lift I noticed basically the reverse. Less buzzing and more shudder. I put these driveshaft spacers on and it amplified everything. It felt horrible. I have since taken them off. For me both of these issues seem to be attributed to the driveshaft angles.

 

Removing the rear portion could definitely provide some answers but dumping the exhaust right under the cab would most likely create massive drone, making the test inconclusive. Partly because of this, I decided just to go with the catback. I was probably going to go with a catback upgrade at some point anyways and if it doesn't fix the issue, well, at least my exhaust will sound good.

The driveshaft angles I believe are creating some issues as well (I have the slow rumble), but for me it is one step at a time. And the buzzing occurring at 2100 RPM in almost any gear while accompanied by a droning noise is just too suspicious to be driveline related.

But I'm not ruling anything out, if it isn't the cat back, then it's just on to the next thing.

 

Another idea... swapping exhausts between buzzing truck and buzz-free truck. Of course requires a willing member with buzz free truck to participate.

The idea being something out-of-spec in a cat and/or resonators causing the buzz.

 

I agree that it will create a bunch of drone but isn't that just noise? That shouldn't affect the buzzing in the steering wheel and accelerator should it? I guess it could induce other vibrations but maybe different ones. By removing portions of the exhaust couldn't you change the frequency (RPM's) at which the vibrations occur assuming the exhaust is the true cause?

 

I purchased a Borla muffler to address the buzzing, do a search to read what I noticed. I returned the muffler, and I'm now considering the Dynomax Super Turbo. According to their site this muffler should be quiet and give performance gains(not expecting any gains).

Looks like we're on our own! Supposedly, Toyota reads these forums and if they do...Remember you're not too big to fail!

 

Hey JQ3, found your previous post on the Borla. How bad was your steering wheel vibration with the stock muffler on? I take it it's back now until the new muffler is installed.

 

I didn't have any vibration in the steering wheel before or after the muffler install.

Yeah, I returned the muffler. I'm not sure if or when I'll install another muffler. If I buy another one I'd probably go with Dynomax Super Turbo. It's their quietest performance muffler.

 

Doesn't this boil down to the individual dealership more than corporate though?

These are independent businesses that slap a Toyota/Ford /whatever logo up next to their oddball name, but they are more responsible for the sales and service than Toyota corporate.

My dealer has been pretty solid with the exception of one douchebag service rep.

 

Is it just me or is the vibration/buzzing becoming worse, now that temperatures are up?

@aero90 Any update on when your Borla exhaust arrives? Thanks for your dedication on testing it out. I am also going to throw myself into the test and purchase the Magnaflow exhaust to see if it fixes or at least reduces the vibration. I'd like to see your results with the Borla first, just in case that exhaust does the job better and/or is quieter than the Magnaflow. If the Borla doesn't do the trick, then I'll go ahead and buy the Magnaflow. I'm looking to purchase locally and hopefully have the ability to return the exhaust, in case I don't have success either.

 

Estimated ship date on the Borla is June 10. I hope to install it around the 18th/19th assuming no issues with shipping.

 

I'm still waiting for my truck. Build date is June 6, and it should be at the dealership by June 17. Given the info I've gathered here, I will definitely not take delivery of the truck if I feel vibrations while slowing down or at cruising speeds. I just don't know how different the M/T will be than A/T. I'm also going to have to take into account the noise level when shifting the truck at 3K+ rpm.

If the Taco doesn't workout for me, my backup is to buy a new WRX. I know, it's a totally different vehicle. I want a truck. I don't need one. I can pull my 6x10 enclosed trailer with my wife's 2011 sienna. But I want a truck. I miss my 07.

Anyway, both of the vehicles that I want seem to have vibration/rattle issues from the factory. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2749844

 

I removed these heatsheilds for a brief drive with no change.

 

stop looking already and find it! Still for me it's only the left foot rest/hump
where I feel it but it's enough to feel like my toes are going number after 20 min.
if I don't find a new spot..........but the foot rest IS my favorite spot!!!