Getting Vibrations After Lift - Go To Dealer

I spoke with one of the dealers in my area where I frequently go and I was looking at a TRD Pro when I engaged in a conversation with one of the employees there. He started telling me his he just got a 4Runner and lifted it and what not, and he was saying that as long as the lift was installed by an ASE certified shop, and if you experience anything in that nature that you’ll be fine under warranty. If anything, Toyota would have to prove your lift was the DIRECT cause. Being that the needle bearings are faulty in the Tacoma’s, that would be hard (from my understanding). Just thought I’d put this out there in case anybody is going through this issue. I have been getting very subtle vibrations in mine but they do not go away in 4WD and I also have bigger tires so that’s what it’s probably from. Anybody have these similar issues?

 

Had my dealer install my OME lift and wheels/tires for just this reason. If I have anything weird go on I just drop it off at the dealership.

 

did you do a carrier bearing drop? How far lifted?

 

Dealer install TRD Pro lift in my sport also for same reason. They also said they would only due with diff drop. No vibs at all. They tested with and without diff drop. and cv axles are almost same angle as stock after lift. They stated without diff drop to great of angle and it pulls out/down (retainer clip) on needle bearing. Time will tell.

 

ASE certified or not, they will have to prove the lift installation caused it. This would be neither easy nor cost effective for the dealership to do. They may try to resist initially, but they wouldn't be able to prove anything without spending way more than they would to just do the replacement. A couple of members got the vibration after installing the '15 TRD Pro suspension on their 3rd gens and I can't recall any of them being denied warranty work. I installed this lift with no issues. But if mine starts to give me problems I will be right at the dealership to have it replaced under warranty.

Keep in mind that I'm talking about a basic lift (3" or less). If you start drastically altering the geometry of the suspension with a 6" lift, they may push back a little harder.

 

I want to say the lift is in the neighborhood of 2"-2.5" No carrier bearing drop but did have them install ecgs bushing as a preventive measure. No vibrations and have been lifted for 6K miles

 

It wont be so easy. The dealer can refuse and you would have to file suit. Then they can proceed to prove how modifying a vehicle can cause issues.

 

They absolutely could. And this would cost them how much? They would have to prove that an item that is already well documented to be a weak point in the drivetrain was caused to fail by you. Or... they could eat an hour of time to make the problem go away.

 

I got a vibration feedback from pedal it seems after lift was installed. 4wd and still got it so didnt think it was needle bearing. Not sure at this point

 

That’s where I’m at. I can sometimes hardly feel it and sometimes not at all. My guess is my tires and the road conditions is what causes it.

 

I wouldnt say that as i had the same tires but different wheels prior to lift. Im thinking maybe a diff drop might help alight the cvs better. I know they say only neccesary at 3” or more but im at 2.5” so the slightly off angles may cause it. I will inquire when i complete my aal in the spring. I would love to drive another lifted truck to see if this is normal or concerning. I dont think it was present under stock but not 100% sure. Maybe might have to take testdrive at a toyota dealer to remember what stock feels like

 

I only have 1” lift all around so my concern is fairly low regarding this. I’ve driven about 4K miles now too with the lift.

 

did you do a carrier bearing drop? when I lifted mine, I had what I thought was a very minor vibration/shudder hear and there. I installed the carrier bearing drop and it seems to take care of 95 percent of it.

 

No i didnt. Will look at that as well thnx

 

cheap fix if that's the cause. if not you aren't out much money. if your skilled with tools somewhat you could make the 2 spacers for about 5 bucks

 

I got lots of tools but not automotive ones. Gotta do some research before i tackle it

 

all you would need is a 1/4 steel plate, a grinder with a cutoff wheel and a drill with about a 7/16s bit. if you can find a picture of the carrier bearing drop you will see how simple it is. mine came with longer bolts, so you woikd pry need to go to the hardware store with one of the factory size ones and match the threads and get one a 1/4" longer

 

Cool. I Definately can do all that. Hipe this addresses the problem

 

you on factory wheels and tires still? and I believe you said it doesn't fix it in 4wd? is that correct?