U Joint Vibration?

I bought a 2O12 Access Cab TRD Off Road with 158,000 miles a month ago. It has a vibration like rumble strips that can be felt best at around 25 mph. I just changed the transmission fluid and filter but still have the vibration. I also added the Lube Gard Shudder treatment. New u joints are on their way. Am I on the right track?

 

You need to identify the problem instead of throwing money at it. There are several U-Joints and you may well need to replace on, most likely not all. I had to replace one at 170,000 miles. The others are still the ones from the factory at 223,000 miles.

If you can feel the vibration while accelerating and it stops when coasting then I'd say it is a U-Joint. Roll the windows down and drive slowly listening for a squealing sound. Then identify WHICH one needs to be replaced.

 

Does it shudder if you leave it in 4th gear?

 

It does not shudder at all in fourth gear. It isn’t as noticeable when in neutral but it is there. The vibration increases and decreases steadily with the speed of the truck.

 

I was going to it could be the torque converter, but if it’s doing it in neutral than that’s probably not it.

 

If you have a center bearing, check that also. By 120K, I had replaced all my u-joints behind the transfer case, as well as the center bearing, as preventive maintenance; I’ve seen too many vehicles on the side of the road with broken u-joints.

 

That centre bearing/carrier bearing, I’ve replaced a couple times within a short time span (4.0l, 6mt).
Last time I filled the holes in the rubber with silicone, no problem since (~5months).
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/carrier-bearing-silicone-packed.355987/

 

Did you grease the joints before just deciding to replace them?
How is the alignment and balance of the tires?

 

This is where I'd start.. I drive around 2 hours a day commuting to work, and if I don't rebalance the KO2's every-so-often, I get pulling and vibration. Maybe OP has brand new stock street tires that have been balanced recently, but without any noise indicators, I'd start at the wheels and work my way back.

Discount tire will balance for free. I know they're getting annoyed with me coming in so often!

Good luck OP

 

Cheap Chinese center bearing? I learned my lesson not to use cheap center bearings. Get Spicer; they make the oem center bearings. They make two versions, one is considered an offroad model; the non-offroad may be listed for the prerunners, but either will work. I offroad and am using the non-offroad version. It costs less is is more readily available. #5002334.

 

You can probably find a bad u-joint with the drive shaft off pretty easy. Just move it in exaggerated directions than in use feel for binding or looseness. Good time to grease it well also.

 

Tried to get a Spicer, was told 6 months wait.

 

Lifted?
If so does rumble strip vibe go away in 4 hi?

 

There are three in stock with a third party vendor on Amazon. I usually avoid 3rd party vendors but reviews were good and plentiful.

 

The tires and wheels are Third generation TRD OFF Road and are balanced. I greased the u joints while servicing the transmission and it helped for a day. The truck is driven daily some distance.

My son has a lift so when he gets time he will change both u joints. I thought it was the transmission. He laughed when I told him the transmission service didn’t stop the vibration and reminded me he thinks it is the u joints. Yes, the transmission filter was changed.

Hope he is right.

 

When I first bought my Taco, the front portion of the driveshaft wasn't balanced, which did throw in some low-speed vibrations that took awhile to figure out.
Hope it is the Ujoints for your sake.