Is this shaking / vibration a coincidence?

Hey all

long story here so hang with me. I had my truck at the shop. I was having the tranny serviced and I told my (very trusted) shop to inspect everything. On the lift they told me they were able to detect the left rear axle bearing was bad. I had it replaced because well.. I’m sure it’s probably not safe? Anyway..

Upon driving it home I noticed a weird shake that happens when I hit 60. Gets a bit worse at 75.

Now here’s the kicker… I pulled off the side of the road for a moment. Some woman stopped traffic on the highway to move a turtle. Turns out.. it was my freaking wife lol.

so I got back in the truck and when pulling back onto the road my rear tires spun. About 5 min later the TPS light came on.

So I pulled over again to make sure I wasn’t having the worst luck ever and everything seemed fine. Maybe one tire felt a little low, nothing crazy. So I got back in and started heading down the highway again and the vibration was gone. It literally went back to normal.

the ironic thing is I was 10 minutes away from my destination… which was the tire store lol. I ordered a new set of AT’s and some new wheels! So I was thinking… if this is the time my tire wants to go, what irony.

anyway… I’m unsure if the vibration is due to the repair, maybe something was done wrong? If so, you’d think the vibration wouldn’t have just stopped.

Or is it possible one of my tires just suddenly got low, thus causing it? Maybe it randomly become unbalanced? The tires needed replaced, but they weren’t falling apart or anything.

I didn’t drive it long after it stopped vibrating so I won’t know anything until I pick her up tomorrow and drive her home (50 min or so).

I guess I’m just looking for any advice or suggestions. I’m not against bringing it back to the shop, but if it’s no longer vibrating there’s no reason.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I’d love your thoughts.

 

You're over-thinking this, at least for now. For the moment, try not to stew over it. Go have a drink, lay your wife, and sleep well. Wait until after you pick her up tomorrow and drive it.

If it still vibrates, take it back to your trusted mechanic and shoot straight with them. Hang onto the old wheels and tires in case they say the new ones are the problem.

If it doesn't vibrate, go home and have a drink, lay your wife, etc.

 

If you didn't experience any vibes or humming noise prior to trans service, I find the wheel bearing diagnosis puzzling. Ask the mechanic how they test for the failing WB because failing WBs usually produce humming noise vs a manual push/pull test.

 

Most likely the lug nuts are not torqued to 85lb

 

The TPMS light and the vibration probably didn’t have anything to do with each other.
At least not with your description of the issue.

I think you should get the new wheels and tires put on.
Make sure the tires are at the proper PSI and the lugs are torqued to spec.

Then go from there like @blu92in99 said.

I think you will be fine.

 

I'm curious.....

Why didn't you have right rear axle bearing replaced at this time?
Both bearings have seen the same service and mileage.

 

sorry, I did. I did not mention that.

 

Turns out… they didn’t torque all the lugs when they out the tire back on

 

That reminds me......I need to check the torque on my lug nuts.

Generally, the tire gorillas have a tendency to strong arm the lug nuts. I had my tires/TPMS swapped over to a different set of rims and balanced.

One shop I checked stated they used "torque sticks set at 110 lb-ft". Their answer to a request of 85 lb-ft torque was not reassuring. I didn't use that shop.