Lift Vibrations

Hi all,

I've been on my 2.5" OME Nitrocharger lift for a couple of months now, and am noticing vibration at only VERY low speeds, roughly from 0-15 mph. I understand that most people fix vibration issues with the ECGS bushing install, but I've never seen the said vibration behavior explained, so I'm unsure if this fix would actually alleviate the issue.

For those who did the ECGS bushing replacement, did you previously have vibrations at low speed, and they disappeared after install?

 

Engage your 4Hi (then drive), if the vibrations go away its probably not the needle bearing. So no ECGS mod needed. Next vibration culprit is the drive shaft, common fixes are angle shims under the leaf springs and/or carrier bearing spacers.

Are the vibrations coming from the fron or rear?

 

No, if the vibe goes away in 4hi it is the needle bearing and he needs the bushing.

 

The vibrations are definitely coming from the front of the vehicle. With that said, Discount Tire has been having a really tough time balancing my Wildpeaks, so that might be adding to the vibrations. Even when the tires are perfectly balanced though, I'm still getting vibes.

 

I stand corrected.

 

With over a 2" lift you should change to the ECGS bushing anyhow, it can only help. This goes all the way back to 2005 and the 2nd gens.

 

At such a low speed, I wouldn't think the tires would make much vibration if they were unbalanced? - thinking out loud. I know I have some steering wheel vibrations at high speed with my wildpeaks...I'm pretty sure I have a bad tire still but don't feel like going back to Discount to figure it out/fight for a replacement, ha.

Try engaging 4x4 like others have said and see if the vibrations go away.

 

And that's what I thought also, but after leaving Discount this weekend the vibrations got significantly worse. I'll give the 4x4 a shot and write back later. Hoping this is a quick and easy fix

 

I installed the OME suspension lift on my 2012 Tacoma. I get a vibration when going about 5 MPH when I start to accelerate. The lift came with a shim for the driveshaft but still get the vibration with or without the shim. Will replacing the needle bearing and the ECGS bushing fix this problem?

 

As mentioned above, does the vibration go away in 4hi

 

Keep us posted OP.

 

Will do. Regardless, I think I need to do the upgrade anyways. $200 for peace of mind goes a long way.

 

It's a matter of time before the OE needle bearing goes out with a 2-3"+ lift.

Keep in mind, just because it's a vibration, doesn't mean it's just one. Two could be happening at the same time, or even three including drive line issues, etc.

Often members get their wheels balanced and say they still have a vibration. It's really hard for people to think that two things could be happening at once. We often think it's just one issue.

 

Agreed with both of you, and the reason for asking the question was to avoid doing one mod, then finding that it didn't achieve the effect I want. I definitely don't want to dive into a black hole on this one.

 

If the issue started immediately after the lift, it's not the needle bearing. It's drive shaft angles. I had an issue at 20mph and I did the CB drop and it didn't fix it. I added washers and it only changed when the vibration occurred. I finally got 2.5 degree shims and with the drop still in place the vibes are gone.

 

Agreed, often times 4500lb 4WD trucks with bigger than OE tires just vibrate no matter what.

There's too many members that think they'll lift their truck 3"+, bigger tires, longer travel suspension and it will ride flawless at 70mph on the freeway. I'm aware that's not the case with the OP, but yeah people can chase issues spending shit tons of money that amounts to nothing.

If you can change the bushing yourself, it's less than $100. I ran into some issues because I'm a dumbass and it worked out, but I learned a lot.

 

Yeah, I fully expected things to not feel like stock or to even have thunking, clunking, and small vibrations every once and awhile. These vibrations at low speeds have me worried about city driving, and ultimately leading to a failure due to constant start-stop.

If it helps any, after a week of offroading in Moab, the vibrations got worse.

 

Does the vibration go away in 4WD?

 

I haven't tested in yet. I'll give it a try heading home from work.

 

I just test drove my truck in 4HI and the vibration is not there. I did have the shim installed but I took it off thinking that was causing the vibration.