Fixed-ish: Help with vibrations and clunking noises (U-joints etc..)

Hello all, haven't posted in awhile, but I come seeking your wisdom...

Been having vibrations and noises lately. I've read a bunch of the other threads but not sure that my situation is exactly the same. Working my way through the Official Vibrations mega thread, but it's 113 pages...

2010, DCSB, 4WD, TRD Off Road, tow package, 122k miles. Stock TRD suspension, no other mods. Tires are Toyo Open Country AT 2 in 265/75/R16.

Been having vibration issues for the last couple thousand miles. Seems to be getting worse. Starts just above an idle and rises in pitch and tempo as the speed rises to a constant hum at ~60-65mph. Today I noticed that when I am braking and slow down to about the 15mph range that there is a loud thunk sound when I step on the break (it keeps happening as long as I stay at that speed). Also when I begin to accelerate at about the same speed. Sounds like it's coming from the front right area. Also, this same noise happens when I switch from reverse to drive after backing up a few feet.

Something else that I have noticed is that the noise and vibration goes away 1 second after I let off the accelerator, or if I step on the break to come out of cruise control. But as soon as I step on the gas again, the vibration and noise starts right up.

I have not tried putting it into 4HI since this started as I surmised that it would exacerbate the problem. But I will try this tonight and see what happens.

Seems most of the other guys that have this problem have after market suspension or lifts on their truck. Mine is bone stock, so I wasn't sure if it is the same issue or not.

What do you guys think?

 

Sounds u-joint or center bearing related... get under the truck and check it out (while parked of course)

 

What am I looking for?

I was under it this after noon for a few minutes and didn't notice anything suspicious. It almost sounds like something is hanging loose down there, but I couldn't find anything, at first glance anyway.

 

Park on level ground, with truck NOT running block both sides of front tires, put truck in neutral, crawl under and grab the d/s between cb and diff, twist it back and forth, you should be able to hear which u-joint is bad.

 

Probably a Universal Joint.

If one is bad get them all changed and save yourself some trouble.

 

My truck gets a real bad rattling sound ever couple weeks. Finally discovered a simple fix. I round up all the empty beer bottles and rattle is gone.

This solution works on all AC's and DC's....as well as 4WD and 2WD Tacomas

 

Well...on the way home tonight, my drive shaft broke.

 

Drive shaft or U-joint? Sounds like you may have found the culprit.

 

So, the question now, is: is a broken drive shaft or U-joint indicative of the symptoms I was experiencing?

Or do I maybe have other issues going on as well?

 

Your DS was most likely not broke. Just a bad and I mean real bad U-joint. I all the needle bearings fall out, you will have a clunk. Any chance you can take a picture or two of the drive shaft and U-joints?

 

Truck is at the shop now. And I'm staying in town at my Dad's. I'll have to get over there tomorrow to deal with it. I'll try and take some pics then.

Happened as I was accelerating onto the free way just as I got on the on ramp. It was in the middle of a construction zone too. I walked back a ways to see if any other parts were left behind but couldn't find any. I didn't get to see what was up towards the front of the truck.

This is going to be bad ($$$$) though right?

I haven't had any other trouble with this truck and I don't do any heavy off roading. Haven't even been off road in over a year and a half, probably close to 50,000 miles. But, I do put 100 miles a day on it, 6 and 7 days a week. But all highway miles.

 

If the drive shaft is intact, all you will need is U-joints. The joints are about $12 each, give or take. The labor is not that bad of a job. Don't get too worried until you can actually see the damage.

My prediction is the back U-joint froze up and finally let go. Easy fix.

 

Ok, I finally had a chance to get under the truck and take some pics. Looks like it's just the center u-joint (?). Pics attached.

Not as bad as I thought previously. Still awaiting the estimate form the shop.

 

Just talked to the shop. I'm into $338 for the drive shaft and center U-Joint. They are going to replace all of the U-Joints and the Carrier bearing and something else for a grand total of $390-ish and I should be up and running by lunch time tomorrow they said.

Not too bad as I was expecting this to go over a grand.

 

wow.... you let the u joint get so bad it blew up..... this is why everyone should get under their truck and grease those sumbitches!