Lift Problems

So around Christmas I installed 883's, 5100's and a AAL on my 2000 AC 2.7 manual tacoma. I have been noticing some semi-heavy vibration when I am driving anywhere in the 35-45 mph range, not mattering whether I am in 3rd or 4th gear. What could this be?

Also I have noticed some clanging under my truck when I am in first gear in the parking garage. The clanging happens when I let off the gas and coast in first. Plus when I shift gears, there is a knock that (sounds like it is coming from the transmission) whenever I release the clutch. This is also a recent development. Any idea what I broke?

 

Driveshaft wobble would be my first guess

 

ujoints, center bearing, transmission mount, or engine mount broken or worn...would be where I start checking

 

Check the rear u-bolt nuts for looseness.
Also, check the lug nuts.

 

Totally sounds driveshaft, hopefully not the double cardon joint. My guess is the aal somehow brought out a failing u-joint, probably the rear.

I would still re-check torque on all bolts from the install.

 

I too had the vibrations accompanied with some strange sounds. The strange sounds I heard were coming from what I thought was my auto transmission. Fearing an expensive repair that could leave me stranded if I let it go. The issue was a bad carrier bearing and a bent driveshaft. $300 later I had a new carrier bearing and the trans shop sent out my driveshaft to be straitened and balanced. Drive shaft shop said my ujoints looked good still. No more vibrations or weird sounds. The only explanations I could think of is the carrier bearing was bad for so long that drive shaft just got a bad wobble to it. Plus the tires the PO put on were 285/75/16 if I can recall but don't quote me on that tire size.

Little off the subject but when I put new tires on it I went with 265/75/16's and the truck has more zip, better MPG, and doesn't draw as much attention as it looks closer to stock now. Impressing people with my truck hasn't been a priority since I was 19.

 

So I took it to the shop and they said my u joints were about to go out and damaged the whole driveshaft and wants ~$2000 to replce. Could this have been caused by my lift? Or is it just due to the 190K miles I have on my truck?

 

Lift definitely didn't help. How long have you been driving through this issue? It's likely your other joints may be compromised due to driving on one that failed but the whole shaft being bunk is crap. If you can take a look at it yourself it will be easier to diagnose and come to a cheap solution, if not you might try a junk yard for a used shaft with low-ish miles and have the shop just swap them for you.

The center joint of the rear drive shaft is much more complex than your typical u-joint. If I needed a new drive shaft I would track down all the parts for the two u-joints and the center joint and take it all the a shop and just have them rebuild it.

 

Find a good driveshaft shop (they often deal in axles and steering as well). Take the mess to them and have them rebuild, then reinstall. It might save you $1000.

 

It's caused by greed. The $2k I mean.

Find another shop.

(your lift likely finished them off)

 

$2k to replace a drive shaft? Man Stevie Wonder could see thats a rip off...

 

I went under my truck and the last Ujoint is barely there, but the driveshaft looks fine, So i took it to another shop today and Im gonna have them replace all 3 Ujoints

 

that would cause some problems...have them change the center bearing while they are at it just for safe measure. I wouldnt pay $2K though thats for sure!

 

I looked at it and it was pretty good