Death wobble

I have a severe death wobble. It's not a vibration in the column and it's not unbalanced tires. I'm talking about it's as if the passenger next to me, reached over and pulled the wheel out of my hands. But there's no pattern to when it's happening, it's totally random. It doesn't matter what speed, in or out of 4x4, no indicators. It drives straight as when it was new one minute and then with no warning, it shakes so hard and pulls hard to the right and will continue to do it until I stop completely. What is causing this? I can't see anything out of the norm. Rod ends are good, shock mounts good, nothing loose that I can feel. I'm stumped but it's super dangerous.
2005 trd 4x4, leveling kit, 33x12.5 treads

 

Your wheel bearings good? Lug nuts torqued to spec? Using hub centric wheels? Slipped a belt in a tire? Carrier bearing good? Brakes dragging?

 

Do you have VSC?

If so pull the ABS Fuse and see if it still does it.

 

im thinking bearings

 

I’m with @Jimmyh
Do you have VSC?
Does it feel like the brakes are being applied also?

Your 05’ won’t have the VSC button, so that not an indication as to whether you have it or not.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...vsc-trac-hac-dac-alsd-atrac-explained.184784/

Next would be to go to the Toyota website, create an account, add your VIN# and see what options your truck has on it.

If it has VSC, do as Jimmy said.
If that fixes it, you then may want to try a VSC recalibrate.
Lifted trucks, such as yours, have been known to have sudden pulling and braking problems.
It usually happens in curves.

 

Just curious how you know it is not wheel balance. I had a vw bus that did exactly what you describe. Went away when I balanced the wheels/tires. I also have a vw bug that used to do the same but it was at a specific speed where things resonated and a replacement steering damper fixed that one. I don't think we have steering dampers on the Tacomas though. In the case of the bug, it was the resonant frequency that caused it to shake like that, the damper just stops it from shaking...kinda weird. Makes me wonder if something naturally shakes in our front end and there is something else that "mutes" the effect.

Did it start happening after any particular event/trip? When was the last time you had it aligned?

 

I will have to check on the vcs. I'll be completely honest, I don't believe I've ever heard of it. Thanks for the link and the info

 

And also...no, it doesn't necessarily do it when braking. It definitely feels like a mechanical issue rather than a sensor thing. I will mention that I've caught it mid wobble if you will, while I came to a complete stop. As I sat there, I cranked the wheel left and it hit a point of resistance, followed by a mild "clunk" and no more wobble for quite a while, like a few days while

 

I will, thank you

 

I have a video ftom in tge cockpit, but how do I post a video? (Sorry I'm green to the forum)

 

Most guys upload to YouTube.
Then post the link here.
When you post the link here, it embeds the video right there on your post.

 

I would look at the Intermediate Shaft universal joint note: the one exposed to the weather. With those indications bolded above. It could be dangerous if it comes loose as you will loose all steering ability.

 

its easy to check the bearings, jack up the truck and get the front wheels off the ground, then grab the the top and bottom of the tire and pick up on it and shake the sh$t out of it back and forth. if it wobbles, bad bearing.

did you check your LCA bushing? thats another possibilty.

Tacomas are known for steering wheel shake gremlins, last time mine got too bad i just replaced EVERYTHING... new UCA's, new LCA's, new bearings and GX470 brake kit upgrade. that killed the wobble, at least for now... LOL!

 

If its that dangerous , why would you continue to drive it ?
Get the truck in to a professional steering shop up on the lift and have it inspected .

Rack and pinion bushings are another area of concern or a loose rack

I have been in a death wobble on a motorcycle . Not an experience I want to live through again . Usually indicates something is incorrect mechanically and can easily be seen .

 

I'm thinking this as well...

 

I am having the same problem with my 2015 tacoma. Been to 3 places everything looks good and since it only happens intermittently I could never replicate it for them.