Vibration! AAAAHHHHHHHH

Just bought my taco this weekend and all was good until i was driving home tonight. I felt a vibration as i was turning out of work that i had not felt before. strange thing is that it only does it when i turn the wheel slightly. if im going in a straight line it doesnt do it. I cant feel it through the steering wheel but rather through the floor i can also hear it. It kinda sounds like something is flopping around under my front wheel! My particular truck is a 4cyl 4x4 and im pretty p.o.ed right now. The truck only has 80k on it. What the f. is goin on? im hoping its just a ujoint !

 

4wd's not engaged is it? That would cause a vibe like you described.

 

No Its in 2wd. I just felt it leaving from work tonight. It just made me so mad driving it home i rolled the window down and could hear it when making about a 90 degree turn. Its not a terrible noise or vibe but its definately there. the fact that I barely feel it in the wheel is crazy. I feel it in the seat and floor more than anything. Maybe front axles? just seems premature for that.

 

does it go away when you engage 4hi? if so, then you have this issue

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...unk-found-questions-about-front-diff-now.html

 

Put a jack under it and spin each of the wheels individually. If its a wheel bearing you'll hear it when you spin the wheel without any weight on it. Crawl under it and shoot some grease on each of the u-joints. If the noise goes away, it was a dry joint.

 

as per digirat, eliminate the simple stuff first.

 

It still did it in 4 hi too. I tried it out in a parking lot and still did it. Ill get under it in the morning. what a pain in the ass.

 

If it doesnt go away in 4wd, be happy. Sounds like something in the front suspension that should be a relatively easy/cheap fix. If its what ywen linked, then you have more of an issue.

 

if you haven't already, ...check your ball joints.

there is a recall on them. ..have you taken your truck in yet?

 

What years does the recall affect? I have a 2004 with 95k on it. Does this mean I can get new ball joints installed for free?

 

I actually just got this truck 2weeks ago. I personally havnt taken it to the dealership yet. ill write down the vin and call toyota also.

 

Mine did that too. It was that the hose for the air filter was loose. I think there is a TSB for it.

 

EG046-06 AUG 06 Intake System - Air Intake Hose Rattle

This one. I think it is just tightening the bolt about half way down the tube.

 

So I got out there and got the truck jacked up got my stock lug wrench out and oh no lug wrench doesnt fit my lugs. The funny thing is that 5 out of 6 lugs on my front drivers side were to about mid thread. I feel like im lucky to be alive. I had to get a 3/4 inch socket to tighten my damn lugnuts. I figured hey ill check the rest, and guess what! not one of my wheels was properly secured. Im pretty sure the problem is solved. Hopefully nothing else was stressed to the breaking point due to this. I wont ever trust another person with their vehicle upkeep again. I mean you shouldnt have to check your lug nuts when you go buy a car from a dealer. ok now im rambling. thanks for your time and suggestions.

 

i'm not sure ...but you should qualify. i had a 2002 and currently have a 2004. ..both qualified for the new ball joints.

 

wow, op! you're lucky you checked it out in time.

 

that's for 05+ ....the op has an 03 model.

 

I just registered on the toyota website and it has had all of its recalls taken care of. ball joints replaced 8/05 and corrosion paint stuff 10/10. I want to punch toyota of greer mechs in the face. thats the last place it was serviced according to the site and that was only a couple of months ago. It says they replaced the oil and oh!, rotated the tires. too bad they didnt finish the job. unfortunately there is no way i can prove that but i would put money on it that they were just lazy. I have heard lots of bad things about Toyota of Greer.