Issue After Shudder TSB

I just went through the TSB to get the shudder fixed on my truck. As expected they did it step by step which required me to go back numerous times. First was the replacement of the rear engine mount, then the steering damper, and finally the leaf springs. After the leaf springs were replaced the shudder was 99.9% gone. Overall I was happy with the service provided and my service advisor was great.

Now to the issue. I noticed it almost immediately when I left the dealership. At first I thought it was a brake issue. When slowing down I felt a vibration. I called the dealership and let them know there was an issue and I will be bringing it back on Monday.

Had to do a little running around yesterday so I took the opportunity to figure out exactly when the vibration occurs so I could replicate it and thoroughly explain to the tech what is happening. It isn't in the brakes. It is more of a speed thing. When you are slowing down it kicks in right at 30 mph and goes until about 18 mph. If you brake hard at those speeds the vibration gets a bit worse. If you are just cruising around between those speeds you can feel the vibration. If you are accelerating to a speed that will take you past those speeds you don't really notice it though.

I honestly have no idea what could be causing the vibration, but it is definitely something they induced and didn't appear until the leaf springs were replaced. Any thoughts on what could be the cause?

 

Try it again, this time have it in 4H, if problem goes away then it's the drivers side needle bearing in your front differential. Look up the ECGS Bushing Fix, there is also a TSB fix by Toyota, but they just replace it with another needle bearing, and sometimes the problem returns.

 

I knew I was forgetting to add info. My truck is a 2014 TRD Sport with auto trans with 23K miles. I don't have the ability to put it in 4H.

 

Driving and doing a hard break is something mechanics call a "mechanic break" because it's a test to see if there's a problem after fixing things.

I've been watching shows...

 

Oh, yes, if you have a Prerunner then it must be some other problem.

 

Just don't do it with your Dads stock trailer and unsecured 4x4 diesel mower. I did a brake check to see how it would stop if I needed to pull some emergency maneuvers, and the mower wasn't in the middle where I left it.

 

Lets look at some Vibration diagnostics . Anytime someone asks a vibration question , I copy and paste this .
I believe there are at minimum at least 12 different vibration issues assosiated with the Tacoma and all the vibrations / shudders get mixed into the same pot leaving members scratching their heads .
Have you greased your driveline ?http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tec...rks-total.html
Do you know how to grease your driveline properly http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/...%20FAQ%27s.pdf
Have you checked your carrier bearing https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-carrier-bearing.260283/
Does the truck vibrate in park or neutral and does the vibration change with accelerator pedal ? This is a misfire test for your engine
Does the truck vibrate while holding the brakes and hitting the gas - Automatic ? This is also a misfire test for your engine under load
Does the truck vibrate in neutral at a stand still ?or coasting in neutral ?
Does the truck vibrate in 4x4 ?
Does the truck " Only vibrate " from 1st to 2nd gear ? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vibration-when-accelerating-from-stop-anyone-fixed-it.300155/
Does the truck only vibrate in 2 wheel drive ?https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...differential-bearing-vibration-thread.152173/
Does the truck vibrate with the serpentine belt removed ?
Does the truck vibrate cold or hot ?
Does the truck vibrate if you select neutral and coast to a slow roll without using the brakes ? What happens when you turn the truck of in Neutral at highway speed ? Can you still feel the vibration ?
Does the truck vibrate as you are braking ? When was your last brake job ? Consider the front rotors may be warped or the rear drums are out of round .
Does the truck vibrate with weight in the truck or empty ?
Does the truck vibrate while upshifting ? Have you checked your trans fluid ?
Does the truck vibrate while downshifting ? Have you checked your trans fluid ?
When was your last transmission fluid service ?
Is the vibration caused by your torque converter ? Tapping the brake pedal at highway speeds will release the torque converter clutch . You are not actually hitting the brakes ,but manipulating the brake switch . If the vibration goes away you can expect a misfire or a converter clutch issue .
Read here for more information regarding automatic transmission diagnostics
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/
Now that you have a lift kit installed the truck vibrates . Did you cancel your drive line angles ?
Have you looked at the condition of your tires ? Toyota says to rotate every 5000 miles .Tacoma tires must be road forced balanced using the Haweka adapter on the tire machine tsu00296.pdf
When was the last time you rotated your tires ? Are you using LUG centric aftermarket wheels ? have you considered " HUB centric rings " http://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&key...vptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7ybe1f1pby_e
Have the balance weights fallen off the tires ?
A good vibration technician can tell immediately if your vibration is caused by the rotating speed of your wheels or by the rotating speed of your driveshaft .
If you go through this list carefully , you should be able to narrow down where the problem is .
The proper and only way to test for bad universal joints is with the driveshaft removed . You cant tell if the universal joints are seized or tight spots with the driveshaft on the truck . You may see play in the universal joints , but you wont be able to properly check the u-joints without removing the driveshaft .All it takes to create a vibration is one seized universal cup and there are 4 cups within each joint .
With this said , you cant tell if that cup is seized with the driveshaft connected .
Removing the driveshaft and manipulate each universal joint by hand from side to side feeling for tight spots as you go is the only way to check for bad u joints
If you beleive its bad motor mounts or transmission mounts , grab a big pry bar and pry at the mounts to see if the rubber is torn or weak .

CANCEL DRIVELINE ANGLES http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...tion-free.html

 

Well the dealership has had my truck for two days now. They wanted me to take the tech for a ride when I dropped it off so I could show him what was happening. I am glad I took the time over the weekend to be able to simulate the issue every time I wanted to. He felt and heard (you can hear the dash vibrate) the vibrations. He believes it is the driveshaft, but has to open a case with Toyota to see what they want to do. He also believes it is related to the original shudder issue. Reading through all of those links I believe I might also have a bad carrier bearing since I also have a vibration between 60-70 mph. Remember, my truck only has 23K miles and has done this since I bought it with 19K miles.

As I was typing this the dealership called me. They want to take the new leaf springs off and put the old ones back on. So it looks like I will have the shudder again. I don't know if this is a troubleshooting step or if they are just thinking that they are going to tell me I am just going to have to live with it.