Subtle intermittent vibration primarily between 10-40mph. Feedback please!

Hi all. I looked high and low for solutions but my experience is slightly different than everything I have read so far. 2011 Dbl Cab 4WD 51,000miles 3in lift with 285/75/16.

Ok, so every time I start driving I feel a subtle intermittent vibration (also kinda hear a humming) that last for 2 seconds and goes away for 2-6 seconds. It's inconsistent but happens between 10-40mph. It has a pull/drag feeling to it as if there is some rubbing going on. It doesn't matter if I'm accelerating, coasting, breaking or turning. It's all the same.

One thing to note is the vibration will significantly diminish after I've been driving at speeds over 50 for over 5 min. Sometimes it goes away completely.

The only effect I've noticed is that my mpg has suffered since it started. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

Does it go away in 4WD?

 

I read that thread and tried it, but it's hard to tell. It was less noticeable in 4WD

 

The easy things are balanced tires and an alignment. Assuming those are good...

For me there were two issues which were hard to distinguish until I started "doing stuff." I had a low growl from 5-30 mph, then an oscillating on/off vibration from 35-45 mph. Until I fixed one, I couldn't tell the two problems apart.

I put in axle shims and a Street Tacos CB drop bracket, and added fender washers one at a time to drop it further. Eventually I got that growl down to a very small amount right at 20 mph (which I've learned to live with). This problem is definitely worse in cold weather or after a cold start- which leads me to think it's the rubber cb gasket heating up to be more pliable. This might be the same for you.

Once I solved that, I could hear the oscillating 35-45 vibe separately. The needle bearing replacement on the driver's side took care of that completely.

Good luck- this whole problem is different for everyone and seems more influenced by Saturn's orbit around the sun than anything else.

I'd advise making sure the cb gasket is in good shape (can't be too expensive to just get a new one and see), then try dropping the cb bracket (I had to go pretty far). Do one thing at a time, starting with the easy/cheap stuff. You might not ever get to 100%, I never did but some guys claim to.

 

Check to see if your wheel bearing is still good.
That's how mine started on my 05 , then one day it got bad.
For about a month I thought I was picking up rocks and making the tires out of balance.

 

Wheel bearings look good. Now it seems to happen at the threshold of changing gears or when it down shifts while I'm coasting. But other than that, I don't notice any transmission related symptoms.

 

I appreciate the thorough feedback. It will take me some time to go through the checklist, but it gives me good direction

 

Check the u joints. I'm not sure what they feel like going out on an automatic. In my 6speed taco it drove me crazy trying to figure out the seat vibration.

 

UPDATE - In an unrelated move, I removed the top spacers from my 5100 lift, taking it down from 3" to approx. 2.5" and the vibration has diminished significantly. It's still there for a minute or two in the morning if I'm driving under 30, but now it goes away much faster and is less intense.

I also removed the diff drop kit. I drove it after spacer removal and before diff drop kit removal and noticed it was better. Don't think I'll be putting the diff drop back.

I plan on changing the front/back diff gear oil as well as transfer case. Also bought a grease gun for the zerks along the drive shaft.

 

I've got a 2011 as well, and I haven't greased my u joints before. What info can you share on grease gun and grease? Thanks.

 

I stopped by Advanced Auto and picked up this grease gun: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...se-gun-w54204/7070489-P?searchTerm=grease+gun

...and this grease: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...070-110566/7070090-P?searchTerm=mobil1+grease


And here's a good write-up on zerk locations: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ma-access-cab-4x4-pick-up-w-v6-engine.379149/

 

This is what mine is doing, did you ever get a fix? Mines a 12 3 inch toytec. It's driving me crazy!

 

I haven't been able to fix it. I will definitely post once I figure it out.

 

I've greased my drive shift and got new tires and got them balanced and aligned. I don't know what else to do my six speed never gave me this trouble. But it's doing the dang thing your talking about between 30 and 40 I call it the shovel.

 

I had the same issue last year at around 30-40 mph and it wind up being bad drive shaft U-joints. 2 were bad but I ended replacing all three anyhow. Good fun job for a cool Saturday morning.

 

How many miles on your truck when the issue started? What did it cost you?

I'm reading the super long thread about the needle bearing being the culprit and I'm leaning towards buying the bushing that ECGS offers for $60. Another $60 for the tool.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ntial-bearing-vibration-thread.152173/page-15

 

Mine had been doing it for a while I believe it started around 120k miles but I didn't replace my U-joints until last year around 135k miles. I bought the U-joints at Rockauto ($10-15 each) parts and replace them myself. Fun job to do

 

So you replaced the ujoints and drive shaft?

 

no, just the U-joints on the drive shaft. I believe there is a DIY around here showing the steps for that job. Just have a good size vice to press the new ones back in. The old ones you can just whack them out with a hammer and punch. Fun and relaxing job I was done by 2pm same day. I was ready to whack something with that solid brass hammer I bought at Harbor freights over the holidays, felt good. LOL