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

My suggestion is to just accept it as part of owning a Tacoma. Based on my research, there are multiple reasons for the vibrations that plague Tacomas and actually eliminating the issue is all but impossible. I know it's not the ideal answer, but it is what it is. A LOT of Tacomas vibrate and Toyota has taken the position that it's "normal" behavior, so taking it to a dealer will certainly be a waste of time.

I will echo the previous comment that these vibrations don't seem to lead to any reliability issues, judging from the several people I know with higher mileage Tacomas, so at least there's that.

 

I really hope this post helps somebody. After chasing down vibrations over the past several months with no real solution, I can say with confidence that I've finally eliminated 95% of the vibration.

I had my axle shafts replaced at 20000 miles and 8000 miles later my vibrations returned. My dealer (which has always been helpful) deemed the vibrations "normal" - no surprise there!

Unfortunately, I had to take it upon myself to address the issue because Toyota Canada was basically dragging their feet. I had the following done:

- Tires were road force balanced (seemed to help)
- Both brake drums replaced (seemed to help the most, but I could still feel slight vibrations around 40mph)
- Replaced both rear shocks with Billstein 5100's (I just replaced these today, and after a 30 mile test drive, my vibrations were noticeably gone, they are now at the point where I'm not sure if just the bad road and or the characteristics of having a truck with no load in the bed)

I was surprised to see how worn my stock Hitachi shocks were in under 30000 miles. I'm convinced that most of my vibrations weren't "vibrations" but more so rapid oscillations caused by the leaf springs and poor dampening by the shocks.

Since the install, the truck feels more "solid" and I haven't felt the vibrations on deceleration that I did previously. I'm not an expert, but my thinking is that stiffer shocks help reduce / mask axle wrap.

I hope this helps anyone who is starting to feel defeated and is frustrated with their truck.

 

I did the same thing... I even had the head tech at the dealer drive it with me in it and he said that he never felt a thing and I could feel it every time he decelerated. They are smucks

 

WOW!

I had a 2016 DCLB OR w/JBL & NAV in Orange with the Orange trimmed interior, purchased and waiting for it to arrive. I started reading about the trans issues and the non-adjustable driver's seat height on a $42K really gave me second thoughts. I backed out of my order, the dealer didn't care because they would sell in a week or two because DCLB were few and far between in the beginning days of the Gen 3 Taco. Fast Forward Four years later, I was hoping all the bugs had been worked out. I'm saddened to see the same complaints. I wanted to build it in Vodoo Blue this time, but I think you talked me out of it.

I have a 200 series Land Cruiser that has been really good to me, she drinks a lot of gas, but other than that it has been awesome (knock on wood).

Anyone reading this in the $35,000 + price range might want to look at the 200 series Land Cruiser: 2008 - 2020.

Yes, I know it doesn't have a bed.

You may want to give one a test drive, if you can find one.

Guess, I'll wait for the new V6 TT hybrid Tundra.

 

Unfortunately I also have the shudder. I purchased a 2020 SR5. I didn't notice it on my test drive, but sure notice the shudder now. Sucks.

 

Just try to enjoy your truck man. Mine has 12k miles and has had it since days one. There is no known solution. One member will post they fixed but then it doesn’t work for another member. I have researched this to death. It’s a design flaw. A year later and It doesn’t even bother me anymore.

 

Going on a 450 mile drive round trip this week. Can’t wait to feel like I’m on a shitty carnival ride operated by a meth head whenever I hit my brakes at highway speeds. Counting down the days until lease is up, can’t wait!

Sorry y’all are still having issues. I feel your pain. I feel badly for the sad soul who is going to buy this truck as a certified pre owned and not look at the service history.

 

if your getting vibes at highway speeds its something diffrent than mine. Mine only vibes arounf 25mph. Smooth as glass on the highway.

 

10,000km or about 6000 miles on my 2020 off road and the vibration is getting worse. Took it in and they say it’s normal and wait until my next oil change to update them.

 

So I just purchased a '20 DCOR. I dont have any vibrations at highway speeds or under acceleration, but I do have a shudder on decel from about 25 mph and down. Funny thing is, I got rid of a '19 Ford F150 that did the EXACT same thing. The only thing the two trucks had in common were the same GoodYear Wrangler w/Kevlar tires.

 

It’s not the tires. My ‘19 SR5 did this with the stock 245/75r16 Firestones. It still does it with the 265/70r17 Toyo Open Country AT3’s I put on around 10,000 miles.

 

I did.

 

I have a 2020 4 cylinder access cab. It has 4400 miles on it and I have been experiencing vibration in the gas pedal at low speeds and again between 25 and 30mph. I took it in 2 days ago and after sitting for 2 hours they called me and wanted me to ride with the technician, which obviously meant they couldnt reproduce the problem. When I rode with the first tech the truck barely did it and the tech said he could not even tell it was vibrating. I was frustrated because normally it does it pretty bad any time I am going slow. When we got back the service manager got in with me and it did it in the parking lot, now that he knew I was not crazy we took it to an empty parking lot. It started vibrating while he was driving it and he told me it was the axles. I had read somewhere on here someone mentioning that and it looks like that is what is going on with mine. They are replacing both axles now and I will report back to let everyone know if it stops the vibration. They are also replacing the rear drums as they were extremely warped since I bought the truck a couple months ago. The truck would kind of bounce coming off highway at higher speeds, has done it since brand new.

 

Chiming in here... 2020 TRD Sport 4x4, 6,000 miles.

In for the second time with this issue. The first time they found warped brake drums and resurfaced them - I haven't issues under braking since.

However, I do have vibrations in two circumstances:

1. coming to a stop (the 30mph to 10mph vibration)
2. On the freeway, 65 - 75 mph, from the rear (almost like an out of balance sensation)

They removed the driveshaft, drove around and supposedly issue #1 is still present. I would have thought it wouldn't have been.. anybody know what the deal is here?

I haven't tested issue #2 yet, and I'm not sure what else they've done other than rebalance the tires.

 

They are in the TSB - you can see the degree tolerance listed out.

 

I wouldn’t trust the dealer on that. I had these vibes coming to a stop from around 25 down to 10mph- acutely felt right at 20mph coinciding with a downshift. I had a ride along with a tech at my 5k service and they basically said all these Tacoma’s vibrate, and that mine wasn’t so bad, not worth doing anything about it because all the supposed fixes are bs. Axles and brakes don’t correct the driveline problems.

It seems that the carrier bearing is the weak link in Toyota’s two piece drive shaft- it allows for way to much vibration. You can shim the axle and fool around with dropping the carrier bearing and maybe get lucky, but it’s a rabbit hole. After doing a bunch of research, measuring driveline angles etc... I went ahead and replaced the oem two piece with a one piece from Tom Woods. My truck’s vibrations are 99% gone. I’ve had the new driveshaft on for around 3,000 miles now, and I’m convinced that this solution would likely solve most of the vibration issues that people are reporting.

 

Still vibrations on the freeway from 70-80mph, road forcing, aligning and re-torquing wheels didn't do anything (at least what is evident in the repair order).

I actually saw my truck with the driveshaft removed but you're saying don't trust them (just curious why?) Also, I guess it's not hard for to pull the driveshaft out and check for vibrations myself when in 4WD.

I have played with shims and carrier bearing spacers (commented on this earlier in the thread), it didn't do anything for me.

 

Seeing your truck with the driveshaft out only confirms the fact that they actually took it out. Don’t trust the dealer to tell you about vibration issues- you need to be in the drivers seat to feel for yourself whether vibrations are or are not happening. It’s your truck and you know what you’ve been feeling driving it every day.

 

I'm gonna go ahead and call bs on that. There is clearly more to the story.

 

So the freeway speed issue I mentioned is actually worse now. I have a feeling they improperly balanced the tires. The vibration at speed is now starting at 60-65mph.

The shudder when coming to a stop is, of course, still there. I'm going to pull the driveshaft and drive it around. I have a feeling I'll go for the Tom Wood's driveshaft to clear up this issue...