Second gear vibration

Hey Guys...Back in April I bought a 13 DCLB Sport AT. From day one I felt a slight vibration when shifting into second gear. It's the only time it does it and it only lasts for a couple hundred rpm's, going away before third gear. At first I blew it off figuring it was just me knit picking the truck. I finally said something to the service department and know I'm sort of concerned. They are replacing rear leaf springs, and engine mount and a dampener of some sort. They are telling me Toyota put out a bulletin on it. This truck only has 3K on it. I'm A little concerned with having issues already. Has anyone else heard of something like this????

 

I had the same problem, but it turned out not to be a problem at all. I was shifting into second gear to early and the truck was bogging down a little. You want to shift into second at 2500 - 3000 RPM's if i remember correctly. This was when I had my 07 prerunner. I sold the truck over a year ago, so I can't remember exactly.


Now if you have an automatic, there is definitely a problem.

 

Probably just a TSB they are performing, but a lot of stock Tacos have vibes straight off the lot.

 

My 2013 Sport (auto) had vibes between 10 - 20 mph. They replaced a mount and the vibes are gone. I like my Taco even better now.

 

My '12 AT truck does the same thing. I'm 99% sure it's related to the rear springs and axle wrap (or a related condition).

Next time you are at a stop light, on flat ground, shift to N, release the brake, put foot on brake and put back in D. See if the next 1-2 shift is smooth. Also, see if you notice the sensation of a spring releasing its tension when you take your foot off the brake (almost feels like a 'spoing', for lack of a better term).


My guess is that during the 1-2 shift, the rear springs start to release some of the wrap-induced tension, and when 2nd engages you have the transmission fighting the unwrap of the springs for a second or so.


Also, see if it is as bad (or even present) starting off facing uphill. It's not there when I'm facing uphill, so I doubt it's a transmission issue - likely a suspension weakness. Why uphill? Weight distribution shifts to the rear, making it harder for the springs to unwind during the 1-2 shift. Do you have 3-leaf or 4-leaf rear springs? I have the 3-leaf (i.e. the shittier springs).


Why is it noticed on the 1-2 vs 2-3 or 3-4? My guess is gearing. My '04's first gear was the same ratio as the 12's 2nd gear. The difference in gearing in the rear differential between the two trucks doesn't make up for the change, so you still have lower final ratio in the newer trucks.

 

Thanks for getting back to me. It makes me feel better that others are experiencing this too. I will try the drive, brake to neutral and back to drive test and get back to you. They told me they had another Taco with the same problem. they replaced several parts and the customer is happy. In their case, it improved to where mine is know. I will update you all later, after the parts are replaced. This is what I love about these forums...you gets so many peoples experiences.

 

It appears that I have the 3 leaf pack...unless you're counting the short helper spring. I stopped at a light and put the truck into neutral, when I released the brake I did feal the springs shutter. I then put it back in gear, when the light turned and I excellerated it did not shutter when shifting into 2nd gear. I talked to the service tech that is going to be doing the repairs, he seams to think it's in the tranny. I hope this gets resolved...I'm starting to question my purchase

 

You have a 4-leaf pack (count the overload), while I have the 3-leaf.

I'm interested to know what the tech says. This really sounds like a variation on axle-wrap, which I first experienced with the first generation Tacoma. If it was a transmission issue, I don't think that shifting D->N->D would make a difference.

Still, if it is diagnosed as a transmission issue, it would 1) be news to me and 2) mean that you, me and a bunch of other people have bum A750's.

 

I'm taking it back in today. I am going to explain the D>N>D theory. It makes a lot of sense that the flutter is a spring issue. They are saying it could be a mount also. That would surprise me, I only have 3K on the truck and haven't done any off-roading what so ever. It's only been on the beach twice, which isn't exactly challenging to a suspension at all.

 

The TSB said to start by topping off the trans fliud level (3000 miles it shouldn't be low right) that didn't work! So, they ordered new springs, motor mount and a dampner of some sort...more to come.

 

They did all that on my 2012 and it didn't fix the issue whatsoever. Three weeks later I put a 3" lift on the truck and it's even worse now... I aint got no worries

 

I must have missed that part in the TSB (didn't have it done, but read it when it was posted on the forum and updated to cover to '12, maybe I read an outdated one). I did that as a matter of course and the level was maybe 1/2 pint below what it should have been. I topped it off and no difference, either.

If the A750 is otherwise that sensitive to fluid levels, Aisin screwed the pooch, big time. For example, I noticed no difference in the dry or wet fill capacities for towing vs. non-towing package trucks in my '12 owner's manual. And the towing package trans cooler will make a difference.

Sheesh, Toyota, c'mon!

Let us know how it goes (or at least let me know)! FWIW I installed a set of Ride-Rites several months ago and that made no difference. The problem took maybe 4-5k to show up. The first time I noticed it was right after I came off a 4 day trip through the desert on dirt roads. Nothing highly technical, just bumpy n' dusty with a small bit of mud (thunderstorm) one of the afternoons.

I've tried resetting the computer by disconnecting the battery (thought maybe it was a shift point issue), and that didn't change a thing (except it kept my A/C from working for about 20 miles of driving). Greased the u-joints to make sure they were OK. No idea if it will do it in 4WD as I don't have any dirt around here to test on. Does it do it in 4WD (if you can test) for you?

 

Search driveline vibrations. There are tons of threads on this vibration.

 

This is something different than the typical driveline vibration. You end up with a harsh or really odd-feeling shift on the 1-2 shift in the A750 transmission.

I can recreate the driveline vibration at speeds *after* the shift into 2nd gear (which happens at about 8-10 MPH indicated). This is happening when the 1-2 shift finishes. It's hard to describe. If I can find some sort of remote camera to put under the truck, I'll get footage of the rear suspension components to compare to footage of the drive line vibe at ~15mph.

 

Step 2 was replacing the tranny mount and a dampener in the steering wheel. The vibration seems to have improved...still about half or so better than it was. What surprises me is, it seems to ride better at highway speeds. If you can relate to this, I don't feel the ripples in the road as much. You know those ripples than come from tractor trailers as such. That doesn't seem to be as pronounced as it was before. The tech tells me the trans mount was different than the original. The next step is replacing the springs. I haven't had time to get it back in for that yet, I'm hoping for today.

 

Don't know if you've experienced this also (I have), but there is a newer TSB out about a clunk on stopping/starting off that calls for a driveshaft replacement, too.

T-SB-0016-13




Some 4WD 2005 – 2012 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a clunk/thunk noise from the rear of the vehicle or a “bump-from-behind” sensation just before a stop or when accelerating from a stop. Improvements have been implemented on the
rear propeller shaft (driveshaft) to reduce this condition. Utilize the following repair procedure to address this condition.




Thinking about all the "conditions" my truck has, they would basically have to tear out everything from the transfer case to the pumpkin, plus the springs and the rear trans mount, to make things 'right'.

Of course I doubt they'd perform the TSBs for me, since I have Ride-Rites on my truck and I'm sure the dealer would love to blame those. Bah.

 

The new springs went on yesterday. I only drove it home from the dealership, so not many stop and goes yet. I do feel a difference in the overall ride. The tech tells me they did make a change in the replacement springs, he did not go into detail. I was LUCKY enough to catch a red light, HAHAHA, so I pop it into neutral and released the brake. I did not feel the shutter when the load came off the springs like I did before. I will update you in a day or so after some more driving.

 

Just took my truck in this morning to have this TSB done, thanks for the post. It's been clunking from the rear just as this TSB states since I got it, 6 months ago.

Edit: The dealer can't duplicate the clunking so they won't fix it.

 

I took a chance, and went by the dealership yesterday AM. Took the shop foreman for a ride. I could not reproduce it well, but I BS's him a little bit about some stuff, got chummy with him and we started talking about wrenching on old Ford trucks (late 30's, early 40's).

I got him to agree that the problem exists (in truth, it is usually worse in the afternoons), so they ordered the new driveshaft. Once it is installed, I'll report back.

 

Follow up on the leaf spring replacement...the 1-2 gear vibration seems to be 80% better. With the new springs I feel a slightly rougher ride. It is a pick up and I would rather have the rougher ride than a vibration. Like I told the tech...the vibration really wasn't as concerning as seals and u-joints going out after warrenty expires. I hope this helped someone along the way!!!!!