1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Weird vibration at freeway speeds

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by wesb1023, Nov 15, 2015.

  1. Nov 15, 2015 at 6:01 AM
    #1
    wesb1023

    wesb1023 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Member:
    #54586
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Westley
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    04 Double Cab
    So, I have been having this weird vibration at freeway speeds and figured I'd ask you guys about it seeing as this is the second 1st gen truck I've owned doing the exact same thing... Ok so the vibration is in the front end obviously .. Can only feel it between 65-75 mph. It comes and goes. It will be shaking and I go around a curve on the interstate and it will go away completely and ride smooth as silk, then come back in if I change lanes or go around another curve. I've not spent any time trying to figure this out on this truck because I nearly drove myself insane with my last truck. It seems like the front wheels/axle assemblies will maybe move opposite as the front wheels rotate at different speeds while turning and either vibrate at the same pace, or cancel the other out for a smooth ride. Anyway, just figured I'd ask if anyone else has faught this problem.

    About the two trucks old truck was an 02 3.4 5speed 4x4 ext cab.
    Current truck is an 04 3.4 auto 4x4 dcab.

    2.5 in lift on both trucks.
    Bfg all terrains on both.

    Did not do the diff drop on either truck and was gonna actually try that first on this truck.
    02 truck had the wheels balanced on several different balances with the same result....none! Even road forced balanced and no change...

    Both trucks ride smooth at 55 mph...

    Ideas?
     
  2. Nov 15, 2015 at 6:11 AM
    #2
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Member:
    #141019
    Messages:
    773
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 Double Cab TRD 4x4 Limited
    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    My guess would be tie rod ends on the front. Lift the front and see if you can find any movement.
     
  3. Nov 15, 2015 at 10:15 AM
    #3
    wesb1023

    wesb1023 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Member:
    #54586
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Westley
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    04 Double Cab
    Everything is tight. Both trucks have been aligned. No abnormal tire wear whatsoever
     
  4. Nov 15, 2015 at 10:24 AM
    #4
    offrdmania

    offrdmania Taco Wagon

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Member:
    #113684
    Messages:
    536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Templeton, Ca
    Vehicle:
    96 Tacoma LX 4 banger
    It may just come down to harmonics
     
  5. Nov 15, 2015 at 10:27 AM
    #5
    wesb1023

    wesb1023 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Member:
    #54586
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Westley
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    04 Double Cab
    Does anyone else's truck do this?
     
  6. Nov 15, 2015 at 10:30 AM
    #6
    reef

    reef Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Member:
    #162149
    Messages:
    315
    Vehicle:
    04 4WD
    I'll put this out there..front diff bearing?
     
  7. Nov 15, 2015 at 12:40 PM
    #7
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Member:
    #141019
    Messages:
    773
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 Double Cab TRD 4x4 Limited
    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    Chock the front wheels, put the tranny in neutral and get the rearend up in the air. Get a dial indicator and a magnetic base and check the runout of the drive(propeller) shaft. I have witnessed it many times where someone has replaced the ujoints and didn't mark the original position of the shaft on the rear flange prior to taking it off. It is critically important to put the drive shaft EXACTLY back on the way it came off or you get a vibration as you describe.
     
  8. Nov 15, 2015 at 4:00 PM
    #8
    bry838

    bry838 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2014
    Member:
    #137527
    Messages:
    2,403
    Gender:
    Male
    oregon
    Vehicle:
    '00 tacoma 2.7 4x4 reg cab 5speed x's 2. '01 T4R 3.4 5 speed
    Does it go away in 4hi? If zo there is a fix for that! Ive always owned older tacos than the 01-04's so ive never had to deal with this first hand but ive read about it several times. ECGS sells a tool and bushing to fix the issue. Hopefully someone with experience on this will chime in!!
     
  9. Nov 15, 2015 at 5:27 PM
    #9
    wesb1023

    wesb1023 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Member:
    #54586
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Westley
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    04 Double Cab
    The bushing you're talking about doesn't exist on my truck. Arb front and rear diffs. with new axles up front and they are tight as a tick...
     
  10. Nov 15, 2015 at 5:35 PM
    #10
    bry838

    bry838 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2014
    Member:
    #137527
    Messages:
    2,403
    Gender:
    Male
    oregon
    Vehicle:
    '00 tacoma 2.7 4x4 reg cab 5speed x's 2. '01 T4R 3.4 5 speed
    So puttin a locker in the front does away with that bushing? Again no in person experience with this but I thought it was in the jackshaft...idk..
     
  11. Nov 15, 2015 at 5:45 PM
    #11
    wesb1023

    wesb1023 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Member:
    #54586
    Messages:
    649
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Westley
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    04 Double Cab
    The bushing supports the weight of the half shaft. Arb has the bushing already installed into the diff. Non existing may have not been the proper wording...
     

Products Discussed in

To Top