New here, Just lifted and now vibrating, Help!!

Hi all,

I’m brand new here and have a question. My ‘16 SR5 taco just got a bilstein 5100 lift put on by a reputable Jeep shop here in NH a couple weeks ago along with a 1” toytec rear block. They set up the front Billies at 2.5”- ever since I got the truck back it has a vibration ONLY on the highway between 50-60 mph. And higher or lower and it’s non existent! Before the lift it was smooth as butter. It feels like the truck is shaking under my seat but the steering wheel is smooth. I’ve had the tires balanced and an alignment done last week, as well as the carrier bearing drop with no luck. I’m running 265/70/17’s off of my last Tacoma which didn’t vibrate at all... any thoughts TW? Thanks! I know there’s a thousand posts on this issue but it seems most people have the vibration at low speeds... could my front lift be too high for everything else (UCA’s etc.) to be stock?

 

Did you install the ECG bushing?
Search that here.
Also Walcome to TW, nice truck.

 

putting the lift on has put the stock suspension geometry out of where it should be from the factory, also your running larger than stock AT tires that have stiffer sidewalls and more unsprung weight for the engine to push, im sure the braking effectiveness will also be reduced drastically.

 

True. I haven’t done the ECG bushing yet as I wanted to get peoples’ thoughts before breaking into it but where I feel the vibration literally under my seat...could that lead more to the driveshaft being the issue? As much as I’d like it to be completely smooth again I’m more worried about the premature wear of other parts due to the vibration. I know modifying anything out of Toyota specs has consequences but grr!

 

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/InstructiveSpectacularAfricanharrierhawk-small.gif

 

I lifted my truck with 300 miles on it. Had DS vibs from the 1st day I bought it. Today I have over 39K miles and have been able to get the vibrations down to a slight vibration between 10 and 15 mph when shifting from 1st to 2nd. Next I am replacing the drive shaft with a HD CD 2 piece shaft from the drive shaft super store. Toyota should have done this from the factory. Also you dont need the diff drop.

 

Good to know, thanks!

 

I assume your truck is four-wheel drive. When the vibration begins, put the truck in 4-High. If the vibration stops, then your problem is the bearing, and you should perform the ECGS bearing upgrade.

There are many posts on TW regarding this issue.

Check out this series of posts:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-vibes-ecgs-bushing-fix.464941/

Welcome, and keep us posted.......................................

 

Don't put your truck into 4wd while going 60mph though.

 

Haha that’s what I was thinking, others have said their vibration is at lower speed, but I hesitate even at 50mph to try and engage 4x4! What do you think about bringing the the front Bilsteins down from the 2.5” setting to 0.85 or 1.75”?

 

I would say try to come down a bit in height, maybe that will help? I've heard billies set to the top notch are pretty stiff, so maybe that is playing a role in what you're feeling?

I have 2.5 inches of lift out of my OME 885 coils and only get a very slight vib at low speeds. This is my 3rd lifted Toyota, so I'm used to it and it does not bother me enough to do anything about it.

 

Looks like the factory shims on the rear end were removed and replaced with the block...those shims should be put back on top of the block and under the spring...

 

Hi from Nashua. I have a vibration right around 60-65 as well on billies with OME884 springs. I'll be honest, I think mine is a balancing issue because whoever balanced them last (Town Fair Tire on DW) used a ton of weights.

 

I didn’t even realize that there were factory shims! I shall go ask the shop who installed it, thanks!

 

Balancing is what I thought my issue was as wel, I got a balance a couple days ago and it helped some- but definitely still the highway vibe. I work in Nashua!

 

Could possibly be the preloaded front springs. On that setting the bumps are gunna be very pronounced.

 

I have an early 17’ came with 2-3 degree shims from factory...added blocks which were tapered left the shims out...had a vibration then put them back and all is well...see photo for clarity (my blocks are 1.5 inch with 5160 shocks for reference)

 

This is a textbook case of drive angle misalignment issues, after a serious lift such as yours the drive line angles change and must be aligned in order to reduce vibration at various speeds. To correct this issue shims must be added by a series of calculations.

This is how I fixed my drive line angles on my 1978 Land Cruiser FJ40.

To Determine the angle difference you will need a magnetic angle finder, from Lowe's for under $10

Please NOTE:

In order to achieve accurate readings the drive shaft should be removed.

You cannot arbitrarily use (3 degree) shims, the shim's angle has to be calculated based on your lift and by reading your drive line angles.

Pinion flange angle reading



E-brake angle reading


Do the math


Use shims to correct the angle


Place shims above or bellow leaf springs according to your truck configuration and you're done. In your case place them bellow the leaf springs.

 

FWIW...Consider also doing the front Diff drop. Had my Son's lifted just over 2" with an additional inch added with the 17"s. Did the the carrier bearing drop and the clamshell bushing, but due to the angle/s on the front half shafts, decided to do the front diff drop as well. No surging or vibration at any speed.