Vibrations while driving

2018 Tacoma. 2.5-3 inch icon lift with aftermarket wheels and tires all installed at professional shop.

I get a vibration while driving at around 38 MPH while around 1500-2000 RPM.

Not sure what’s causing this, started after I rotated my tires a while ago. Could be the tires

 

I had a similar vibration after my 2.5 inch lift. The pinion angle of the rear drive shaft was the culprit. Added angled shims between the axle and leaf springs to reduce the pinion angle from the rear differential. Vibration gone. So, if it’s not your tires, consider this.

 

Will check that out.

Also just to add I’ve found that it seems to be coming from the front left of my car underneath or near the floorboards in the front. Possibly coming from the front left wheel/tire locations

 

Definitely start with your driveshaft angles first like mentioned above.

If you switch into 4WD and the vibe goes away, it’s your needle bearing and that is fixed by doing the ECGS bushing.

If driveline components are within spec, could be any number of things but I bet if it’s not cured with the correct shims it will probably be cured with a ECGS bushing. Look that up.

Good luck!

 

Sounds like needle bearing to me. Test out by switching into 4WD and see if it goes away. If so, ECGS bushing time.

 

Could be the needle bearing. Somewhat common issue when you lift it 2-3 inches.

 

Another vote for needle bearing but could also be an unbalanced wheel.

 

Is the ECGS/ needle bearing a big job? I’m having the same issue on a stock 2018 and it goes away when I switch to 4x4

 

I’m lightly retarded and had never done work on my truck before beyond an oil change, and had no issues getting the CV out and accessing the bearing. However I couldn’t get the ECGS pull tool set behind the bearing and couldn’t pull it myself. Had to take it to ECGS. Many have reported having to grind down the tool to get it to fit.

So to answer your question no it’s not a big job, but there are some devils in the details.

It can be done in an hour if you’re proficient.

 

It isn't a horrible job, but having some experience wrenching helps. Took me about 20 minutes extra while I was doing my lift. If just doing the bushing, I could see it taking maybe an hour.

I did make my own tools to remove and install.

 

Thanks for the replies. My truck is stock and at 55k for miles. I’ll be testing out my Toyota extended warranty on this one.

 

You may get a free repair but it will be to reinstall a new needle bearing. Now, if you could slip the service manager an ECGS bushing and a twenty, well maybe you could get hooked up.

 

When i did my lift my axle was extended. Check your axle boot if its stretched, let the suspension settle then get a drive shaft made

 

Call: East Coast Gear Supply’s . Mostly likely it will be the driver side CV axle needle bearings ( many web sites talk about these vibrations). There company sold over 5,000 units, cost is $60.00 for a clam shell bushings, not sure what else needed.
Most labor will run $300- high$500.? You will need special tools.

When you lift a Tacoma they say it creates a load on the driver side CV axle needle bearings. Left side has a ball bearing.

East Coast Gear Supply- there web site will show how to remove and install a new clam shell bearings. And explain your vibrations.

Best to call them or visit there web, 919-672-2705. North Carolina.

 

What shims did you go with, like brand and degree?

Did you install them fat end forward or to the rear? (Pinion up or down) any carrier bearing drop?

 

I don’t recall the brand. 2.5 degrees or so. Pinion up. Thick end toward rear. No carrier bearing drop.

 

Appreciate it, did it fix your vibes?

Do you remember where you bought them from?

 

I recently also had this issue after installing a 2 inch lift on the front and 1.5 in the back bilstein all around. I had an alignment conducted, took it back to the shop where I got the lift installed to get checked, and multiple balances and rotations still had the vibration about 40mph or higher. The last thing I did was a force road balance and that actually fixed the issue!

 

Completely fixed the vibes. Not sure who I bought them from. Try Wheelers Off-road.