oh no....TSB-0171-16 Driveline vibration

Just following up that under heavy to medium braking at freeway speed, there is very prominent vibration throughout the cab and steering wheel.

 

I have a 18 TRD Sport MT which I actually did not notice this deceleration shimmy until I upgraded the rear suspension with new Deaver leafs and long travel smoothie shocks 5 months ago. Fortunately, mine is very subtle and only noticeable at low speeds (5-10 MPH) but feels like a rumble strip. It is absolutely not associated with the braking system (happens rolling slowly down a hill in neutral from a stop without applying the brake) and is not present under engine load. Before I found this thread and TSB, I wondered if it may have been due to increased angle of the driveshaft U joint since after installing the new suspension, the angle was noticeably increased. When researching about rear suspensions on TW, there were recommendations to use shims under the leafs when lifting a truck in order to keep the driveline U joint angle at a minimum.

I am no suspension expert, but I'm wondering if this is similar phenomenon to axle warp where the push and pull of the driveline associated with acceleration/deceleration places a torque on the axle causing the U joint angle to increase and driveline to shimmy. Since I have invested a fair amount of $ in aftermarket parts and plan on keeping the truck for a number of years, i have purchased a ladder bar designed to prevent axle warp. Unfortunately, it will need some minor welding/fabrication during install but I am curious to see if this remedies the deceleration driveline vibration. For those interested, I will post back once it is installed (hopefully in the next month or two).

 

Thanks for this!

I want to note that axle WRAP and axle WARP are two different things. I’d say in your case, you’re solving for wrap.

For my case, which is likely pertaining to the TSB, it is axle warp - which causes brake drum deformation.

 

Yes, sorry typo: axle wrap. Thanks.

Although my vibration is subtle, it still is annoying but I can live with it knowing that it likely is not causing any harm. I can only image how frustrating it is for those with more severe vibrations.

When I bring up these issues with my dealer (including why does the E brake lock up in freezing weather? and why does a loaded 2018 midsize truck have drum brakes anyway? VSS sensor issues, etc) they totally minimize the issues saying "it's normal" for these trucks. I find the dealer representatives useless and get the feeling they are coached in delay tactics to push issues off as long as possible with goal of delaying until the warranty expires. They hardly ever provide any useful information or insight into the problem and act like YOUR truck is the only one with the issue.

 

I agree. I have no problem surfacing this thread with Toyota if things go down that route.

 

I have a ‘19 DC OR SB Manual made in Texas, (vin) no vibration, I have almost 15,000 miles. I run KM3’s 265/75’s no vibration for me. I’m easy on the brakes however with the manual. I know this won’t help anyone just for information only.

 

i've got one ill leave here too for experience purposes... same vibration issue around 30 mph while braking from higher speeds.

i checked my VIN against the list but it was after the stated Texas vins.... Mine is a used 2018 DCSB Sport 4x4 with 19k miles. (traded a 2007 DCSB Sport with 206k miles)
I took it in and waited for the tech to ride with me. He seemed to notice it in the floorboard and listened to other potential concerns I had about it.
They called back and told me they did a transmission software update but the tech could still feel it after driving again.
They submitted a case to corporate for the next steps on how to proceed.
Really hoping this works and i don't have to start all over at the next dealer.
I'll say i went in without showing any knowledge of the TSB but fully described the 'vibration and shudder' at declaration around 30 mph from higher speeds.

 

I'll add this post. I posted this as a new thread last night and today I found this thread. Hopefully Toyota will find a solution yet again.

Just bought a 2020 2WD OR. Noticed a slight vibration from day 1. Occurs between 20 and 25 mph and gets more noticeable when braking. It is hard to pinpoint exactly how it is felt. Seems to be in seat, steering wheel, and cabin. Almost as if you just somehow "feel" it in the cabin. It is annoying but not severe. I have now read many threads about this problem in earlier models (up through 2014) but not many on 3rd gen. Now that I am aware of it I can't help but notice and be annoyed. I have not taken it to the dealer yet. Based on everything I have read I doubt they will offer a solution and will just tell me it is the nature of the truck. I am wondering if anyone else has had the problem in these late models and if they had a solution.

 

i lost round one... after playing it down initially, i told them i was aware of the known issue and figured it would be written off as a characteristic. I was trying to get the service guy and tech to help me figure out how to get this passed (fail the spec test) through to have something changed. I understand that it might have the same end results but i want it changed as per the TSB to find out. I have a case open with corporate too and they are supposed to contact me tomorrow. Is it really worth taking to the next dealership? I'm pretty sure they will see i just took it to the one across town and it passed. ...thoughts on the TSB used to address?

 

This might be a silly question, but has anyone tried attaching a GoPro (or similar) to the frame to see if the vibration(s) are visible and can be captured on video ?

 

I was just thinking this as well! My 16 double cab sr5 just started doing this more frequently. I feel it around 35 to 50 mph hour traffic, not on the throttle very much around 1200 to 1500 rpms as soon as I apply more throttle it goes away. Almost just feels like the rear end is skipping right along and creating the shudder.

 

Please post what you hear from corporate. I plan to take mine into service next week, but when I called and explained the situation they said they had never heard of this. I don't expect great results form the visit.

 

Took mine today to the dealer and after 10 minutes test driving it they took the decision to swap the axles and diff because they found the diff leaking and possibly ran out of fluid (7K miles TRD Sport rwd) also it has rear end whining when accelerate that should be fixed with the job. They told me to pick up the car tomorrow so i'm suspecting they know about the issue still happening with 2019 and has the parts in stock. Tomorrow i will see if they really did.

 

both of ours are/were 4x4.

 

Is there a survey on tacoma owners that have this issue. Is it just some of them? Is there an approximate percent published somewhere?

 

I brought my 2019 SR5 in for the 5K service last week and asked the dealer to look into this vibration, amongst other typical 3rg gen issues (hood skin glue failure, diff howl etc...). I've felt the decel vibration from about 500-600 miles. Its pretty mild as far as vibrations go, but its definitely annoying. The vibration coincides with downshifts at both 30mph and 20mph, but feels more prevalent at 20mph. It seems most noticeable under moderate braking conditions, and especially while going down an incline, like a hill or on an off ramp etc...

The dealer drove it for 7 miles when I had it in, and reported back that there were no abnormal vibrations, and that none of the TSB's for this vibration apply to my VIN, which is total BS. I asked to speak with the service manager when I picked the truck up, and he made a bunch of excuses; the best of which was the fact there was snow on the ground which prevented his tech from getting above 30mph to be able to feel the vibration in the first place. Also BS. The roads were pretty well cleared.

I scheduled a ride along with a tech for next Friday. Hopefully I can at least get them to acknowledge the vibration. No idea where it goes from there- I don't have high hopes that they will be able to fix it...

 

I just purchased A 2020 Tacoma

I just bought A 2020 And it has A bad vibration 20 to 27 mph. Feels like your driving on rumble strip . Its worse on deceleration . Took it to the dealer and they also felt it and tech drove two other ones and had same issue . They had no fix . If anyone is interested in buying A new tacoma . Take it for A long test drive . Unfortunately I did not and Im stuck with this .

 

Add me to the list of new 2020 owners (Limited, 2WD, DCab) who feel the vibration. I only have 800 miles on the vehicle. I'm a first time truck owner who is concerned that this will exist for the life of the vehicle. Not a great feeling to say the least.

 

long test drive won’t help one bit. My 2019 was smooth as glass and only started the vibrating as you describe after about 1200 miles. Even if you buy one that doesn’t vibrate on the first test drive it could develop it after a few hundred miles

 

I noticed mine on the way home from dealer .I thought it was the road I was on causing it.