Popping, Squeaking, Vibrating 07 Tacoma

Given that I haven't done much with my 2007 Tacoma other than oil changes and replacing U joints in the last 3 years, it's about time that I get everything up to par. (Oh yeah, and my truck has 175,000 miles now and I haven't done me leaf spring recall yet. I also have BFG km2's that need to be rotated.)

The popping

• happens every time I back up and put it in drive and first accelerate (I come to a complete stop and still happens).
• Also does it sometimes when I accelerate from being stopped at a stop light or something.

The squeaking

• happens when I first accelerate also (about half the time) but it's pretty loud when it does it.

The vibrating

• happens at all speeds, but mostly while accelerating then calms down after 30 or 40 mph. But I can still feel it.
  
• The other day on the highway going 70 mph the steering got squirrely... it felt like the wheels were wanting to go the opposite directions and the steering wheel was swaying a little bit, but only lasted a 20 minutes, then came back an hour later for 20 minutes.

I don't know where to start or what to even start checking for... if anyone could point me in the right direction of similar threads. Any help or direction would help before I go to a mechanic and spend too much money that I don't have lol. Thanks in advanced!

 

Have you checked the front wheel bearings? Jack up the front and try to wiggle the tire top and bottom...that could be some of the front end quiver and the popping sound, or the tires are giving up the ghost... Squeaking a squealing belt?

 

Wheel bearings definitely need to be checked... I'll be checking those tomorrow. That's a good place to start with the popping sound.

Lol... yeah I need to get new tires I think. 90,000 miles on the km2's and still have tread, but I know I only rotated those things 6 or 8 times.

I'm going to check the belts right now since I'm sure it wouldnt be a bad thing to replace some anyways. But the squeaking sounds like it's coming from under the truck, maybe even somewhere in the drive train.

 

Popping sounds like axle wrap

Squeaking could very well be the driveshaft center carrier bearing

Not sure on the vibrating, could be anything really, maybe rotate your tires and see if that changes anything, also wouldnt hurt to get your alignment checked if it hasnt been done in a while

 

I pretty much agree with exorcist:

Popping is probably axle wrap, get the leaf spring recall done and go from there.

Always start cheap and go from there. Do the prerunner driveshafts have grease zerks? I was thinking they don't, but grease is cheap so try that first if they have them.

Squeaking could very well be the carrier bearing, and while the driveshaft is off, might as well replace the u-joints and see if that solves some or all of the vibes. You can check for excessive play in the carrier bearing just by pushing on the driveshaft from underneath the truck. You can also unbolt and flip the carrier bearing and see what that does, its a free experiment.

Before replacing steering components for wandering steering, give this a shot and see if it helps with play in the steering wheel:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077/

 

Hmm... yeah it sounds and feels almost like axle wrap. I need to put a gopro under there to see. I dont have a lift or anything, but the sound is similar to what I see on youtube.

My carrier bearing is rusty it looks like... very well could be part of the problem. And yup.. I dont remember ever getting an alignment done.

 

Very helpful! That trick in the link looks like a good one to try too. Thanks!

 

I had very similar Popping issues with my 2012 DC 4x4. Clunking on start and stop. Check out https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachments/t-sb-0016-13-pdf.939301/
I had this TSB performed about 3 months ago and it solved all my issues. I never had any vibration or squeeking so I can't help you there.

 

Took a look at everything today. Wheel bearings felt okay and no axle wrap problems. I did find that the last U joint to the rear is causing the popping sound. My bud was able to look under there as I put it in drive and reverse and heard/saw the U joint acting funny. Also, the carrier bearing has about a half inch play in it... maybe that is causing some of the problems too.

My belts definitely need to be changed out because I can visually see wear on it just looking down at it. And on top of everything, I need new tires and an alignment.

Thanks for everyone's help! I was able to check everything and figure out the main problems!