Lift Vibrations

Hey folks,

I got my 2016 SR5 with a ~2" lift all around. New struts/springs, new shocks and new leaf packs. I had a vibration immediately after getting the lift installed. It was the classic hummm--hummm--hummm everyone talks about from the needle bearing. I had the shop install the ECGS bearing in hopes it would fix all my problems.

It did not.

There is still a vibration at roughly 35-45mph while gently accelerating, right before the truck downshifts. There is no vibe when you hammer on the gas and maybe a slightttt vibe when coasting/braking through that 35-45mph range. The vibe does occur while in 4WD. Its a feeling in the seat/peddle and it seems audible. A passenger in the front passenger seat can also feel/hear it.

I tried the carrier bearing drop, which did nothing.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should try? Diff drop? Fluid change? Single piece driveshaft? Sell the truck?

Thanks!

 

Look around for info about axle shims. You likely need shims under your rear leaf pack.

 

Following

 

Yeah I started to look into those yesterday. I've got an appointment at the shop this Friday. I just need someone else that knows more than me to feel the vibration.

 

sub'd for results, bet its shims

 

I just think it's odd that I only feel the vibration at 35-45mph while gradually accelerating, low rpms because the truck is in a higher gear before it downshifts. I'll ask about shims.

 

Hopefully you had the shop install an ECGS bushing in the driver's side front diff, not a bearing.

 

Yeah my apologies on the wording there. The new bushing went in the right spot... I hope.

 

Automatic?
Sounds like TC clutch...
D? What gear do you suppose it is coming out of downshifting to?
Tried it in S3 or S4?

 

Yes it's automatic. I haven't tried putting it in S3 or S4 yet. Might give that a go next time I'm out. Doesn't make much sense for it to be clutch related as it was night and day after the lift. If I had to guess, I'd say it vibrates at low rpms while in 4th.

 

3 degree shims for the rear axle.

 

Update.

The shop couldn't pinpoint anything. I'm going to measure my driveshaft angles and potentially take it to a driveshaft specific shop to get more accurate measurements and to see if they recommend shims or maybe something else.

 

In the same place atm

following....

 

Just get the axle shim. It’s not that expensive and easy to install . Hope it works. Basically once you lift it’s trial and error for not all tacos are made the same

 

The driveshaft shop measured my angles and ran it through their software program and determine that my inertials and torsionals were out of "their spec". They then gave me proposed angles and how to potentially achieve them. They said either lower the transmission or raise the carrier bearing. Lol.

I took the carrier bearing drop plate off for starters and did the ole rotate the CV 180 degrees which apparently raises the connection point because the CB is not centered. Doing this seemed to have MAYBE made things better but the vibe was still there. I swapped it back around because I had to drive at highway speeds back home and didn't want anything going south.

I'm thinking about going with a Tom Woods custom one piece shaft and hoping it will solve all problems with the truck and life.

I have attached the notes from the shop if people are interested.

 

Before you drop that kind of money on a driveshaft, you should try new U-joints. They are most likely not bad but could have "worn" into the needle bearing at the angles they were at and now that the driveshaft angle has changed they are not in their happy place anymore.

 

OP, is your alignment in spec? did you get a full alignment after the lift?

Other thought, could it be your tires causing the vibes at that speed? I'm lifted too and recently cured all my vibes with an alignment post lift, and the ECGS bushing. had carrier bearing drop on and pulled it off, no point.

 

Yeup. Full alignment after the lift. I haven't tried to throw the old wheels/tires on. I just have a hard time believing it's the wheels/tires because I stayed with a SL load and if I'm not mistaken, the SCS F5s are actually lighter than the stock wheels so the new setup should be roughly the same weight as the old. Just 1" larger...

 

I had a rear vibe on braking around 40mph (braking caused weight shift that made my rear driveline angles steeper than cruising). Angled shims fixed my vibe for cheap.

Good luck with finding the Lift Gremlins !!!

 

Get yourself a digital inclometer and take some measurements. This thread should help you
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drive-shaft-vibrations-solved-step-by-step.244535/