I know... another BAD Vibration thread

Good point and well taken. it is not a very high frequency vibration I guess you could say. like I said it almost feels like the start to a "death wobble" but without ripping the steering wheel out of your hands and bringing you to a halt.

 

Man, it sounds like it's gotta be in the front end somewhere. You'd think they'd found something that drastic though when they did the alignment. Might have to brave the cold and do some serious inspecting under there yourself.

 

To help eliminate the possibility of a wheel issue, you could swap fronts to back and vice versa.

 

trust me I will be here soon. I just didn't think I had when I was paying somebody else to do the work if you catch my drift.

I'm assuming the tires were rotated when I had them balanced especially because the guy at the shop pointed out the "cupping" on the front tires and it would only make sense to move them to back. now of course thats an assumption, I get it. what I don't know is if ill feel much of a difference because it shakes the truck so bad. I doubt ill be ale to tell the difference. it does however really feel like its coming from the front end but there so much vibration that it comes up through the seat so its hard to tell.

 

Couldn't be any of the drivetrain mounts, could it?

 

This sounds similar to what my truck does. All these parts I've replaced because they were worn out and I'd hoped they would fix the vibration at the same time - Carrier bearing, inner tie rods, CV's, Steering rack bushings, I got new tires and balanced twice, multiple alignments.

I'm thinking it's the drive shaft. I might resort to going to a driveline shop.

 

I guess anything is a possibility but let me ask you ask this. if I was crushing down the highway at 2250-2500 rpm and thats where I was getting the vibration wouldn't I theoretically get that vibration all through the gears no matter the speed at which I was traveling? this is assuming it was a driveline mount of course.

 

I was referring to engine, tranny, etc. But I don't know. Any work done on it lately?

 

It seems those usually show at lower rpm's though, or idle. I'm just kinda thinking out loud.

 

I have been experiencing this exact (60-65 mph) driveline vibration since I mounted my AP wheel spacers, now removed.

I have replaced my steering rack, tie rod ends, center/carrier bearing, front brakes (rotors and pads), front wheel bearings, had two alignments (Firestone), and three tire rotations. My trusted mechanic said that there are no major issues with my truck, and since removing the wheel spacers it has gotten better, just not disappeared. It also seems to come and go, with no trackable frequency.

I'm thinking it is possibly a U-joint or driveline gremlin that I just haven't shined a light on yet...frustrating for sure.

Sub'd for your progress.

 

Got a question for you. checked out my driveshaft the other day specifically the carrier bearing. my question is... is there a rubber bushing around the bearing itself because I move the shaft a decent amount by pushing on it but it doesn't seem sloppy or loose. it seems like there is some sort of bushing around the bearing itself because it always returned to what I believe is center, or at least where it wanted to be.

 

The metal bearing is suspended in the rubber bushing. Mine was like you describe. The bushing seemed to put the bearing in the right place while the shaft was in the truck and the rubber didn't seem worn out.

The problem seemed to be that the part of the bearing that was supposed to be tight on the axle was loose. It is supposed to be pressed in, but mine easily came off.

I happened to have my old carrier bearing since I just replaced it about a month ago.

Here is a video of me moving the old bearing with my finger. The part that I'm moving should be tight against the axle. It wasn't.

https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/C4olov8VcAEbOrZ.mp4

Additionally, the bushing revealed itself to be out of center when I pulled it out of the truck. Here is a shot of the bushing holding the bearing quite a bit off center. I am not sure if this would contribute to vibrations.




You might be able to see if something like this is happening by supporting the drive axle with jack stands, marking the location of the carrier bearing with a marker, and removing the carrier bearing from it's mount, and then trying to wiggle the heck out of it.

Hopefully this helps.

 

i am having the same vibration you describe.
feels like tire balance from left front tire but i rotated and replaced the tires ,still does it.
almost feels like front left axle.
i had a dodge with a bad front axle joint and made this same situation, feels like tire shake or bounce and sometimes it goes away
with the vehicle on the lift ,when rotate left front tire it feels a bit rough and clunky almost like a tight spot in the cv joint like binding but front axle feels tight , wheel bearing is good also
Frustrated with this
I checked all the obvious items, i hate to start changing parts till i find it

Steve

 

Greetings. New member but been reading for insights for awhile. Anyways I'm replacing CSB. The flange/yoke just behind it has the slightest wobble when put on the spline shaft. Is that normal or should it be rock solid, no movement? Am I just being anal? I just want to make sure. If it's bad I might just go foe single shaft replacement with the costs adding up. Thanks. 2003 taco xcab 4x4

 

The slip joint on my 2004 4x4 xtra cab with stock suspension also has a bit of wobble. There is a very small rotation in the slip joint that I can feel.

Replacing the carrier bearing fixed my vibration. I can hear a ping in the drive shaft of the slip joint isn't greased up enough.

My truck is starting to feel like an old truck - gotta spend a couple hours on her once a month for her to drive perfect.

I agree though - a solid shaft would fix this issue.

 

I replaced the clamsheel needle bearing with an East Coast Gear Supply Busing today. 2 of the 3 vibrations are gone. The truck drives a million times better. Sadly though one of the vibrations was the massage chair vibration. I'll miss getting a massage whenever I'm on the highway.

 

What clamshell needle bearing are you referring to?

 

Update:
first off let me say sorry this has taken me so long but every so often I do a project and replace some parts but with no avail yet.

I did replace the front rotors pads and calipers. Did the tundra upgrade. Didn't think this would fix my issue but I figured the rotors were warped anyway so it was a good place to start. I knew I wasn't just throwing parts at it. Indeed the rotors were warped and I couldn't be happier with the tundra brakes.

Jacked the truck up and noticed a clunk in the driver front when shaking the wheel by hand at 9 & 3. Decided to replace the inner and outer tie rod ends and the steering rack bellows. Got an alignment the next day and nothing. That was the beginning of this week.

Yesterday decided to order a carrier bearing or driveshaft center support bearing (as its really called) and replace it. The old one was definitely whooped. Does it seem right at 125k mikes? I can't say I hit the jackpot but I definitely narrowed it down to a driveline issue. The carrier bearing seemed fix it and make it worse all in one shot. Immediately after replacing it I had a very high frequency vibration starting at about 30. I knew something wasn't right as I never had this before. Now I'm on the road getting a back massage and stressed again but I believe it to be the driveshaft as it slightly changed the exact vibration I've been feeling. Gonna take it to a driveline shop next week.


What are your recommendations? Get a one piece shaft made? Just get mine redone and rebalanced? Anybody have a one piece shaft? If so how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

One of my buddies brought up a good point. I have an ARE fiberglass bed cap and it looks like my leaf springs might be weak. How much arch are they suppose to have? Do you think the combination of the weight and the beat springs could have my driveshaft alignment messed up?

 

Heres's the link to the East Coast Gear Supply Busing. The video on the link is the bearing I removed and replaced with the bushing. The video is for a second gen but it's still relevant.

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

 

to isolate a suspected drive-line vibration from other vibrations put the trans in neutral when it happens.