2007 Tacoma SR5 4x4 158k Shuddering and "rumble strip" vibration

Welp my truck is in the shop for the 4th day...so frustrating. The problem seems to only occur around 20 to 35 mph and mostly when I'm accelerating up inclines. It isn't a constant, it happens at very random times. It can be a hard shake or it can feel and sound like I'm driving over a rumble strip. When the shuddering or vibration occurs it instantly goes away when I let off the gas or move the shifter to "4". I'm having the cv replaced and the needle bearing inspected tomorrow...anyone else experience this????

 

sounds like a driveline issue... u joints look ok?

 

Looks like trip to the auto parts store for u joints and carrier bearing. Good luck and Rock and roll!

 

Vibrations are a sore subject for me, but I can give some tips.

In order of cheapest/easiest:
1. Put some spacers under your carrier bearing to try and bring the driveline angles into spec.
2. Replace u-joints (and carrier bearing too while you're down there).
3. Check into the East Coast Gear Supply (needle bearing) diagnosis/fix.
4. Get driveshaft rebalanced.

 

if worse when cold, it might be tranny fluid is low

 

I've just encountered the same problem with my 2005 Tacoma 4x4 TRD. Gets more pronounced as the vehicle warms up. Does it in "Drive", but does NOT do it in "4". My Toyota mechanic in eliminating u-joints, tranny talked with dealership service and the question of computer came up. Have any others been down the road of it being a computer issue with this seemingly common problem? Apparently this might be the case with 4 cylinder models, but I've not done the research to confirm. Anymore insights on the "shaking under low speed acceleration" issues other than what is covered above and in other threads? Thanks-

 

My truck did the same thing. Torque converter.

 

I would agree with bebop on it being the torque converter. If its not locking up then it will give a shudder type feel to the vehicle. Once put into another gear it locks up and vibes go away until it starts slipping again. I could be wrong but don't over look it if it's not fixed buy drive line adjustments and or c.v. repairs

 

Now that I have more time to type here is what happened to mine. Under light throttle after it got hot usually about 30mph the whole truck would shutter or give the rumble strip feel. If I slammed the throttle down or got on the brakes or popped it in neutral it would go away. Took it to the Monkeys at joe Meyers Toyota. They told me to turn my radio up. Truck only had 50k on it. Drove out to fort bend Toyota and let them look at it and they tried to say it was my tires. Wrong. Got the service manager involved. Told him I was pretty sure it was the torque converter. I took him for a ride and got it to act up and he was shocked at what the truck did. He said he's only seen this in tundras. They kept the truck for warranty repairs and gave me a hot shit corrolla rental car for a week. Fixed the problem.

 

Yup torque converter. Drain and flush old WS with Maxlife and add some Lubegard Platinum following their instructions. Bet money no more shutter.
Read up on some of Gearcrunchers post. Very informative.

 

I put my lift on, and it started vibrating at about 35-45mph. Found u joints were worn out, mostly the one at the rear axle. I replaced them and it was still vibrating. Took it to a shop to check the driveline, they found that one of the wheel weighs fell off. Usually if it's u joints or bad driveline, the vibration doesn't smooth out with higher speeds.

 

how violent is this "rumble strip" vibration I read about.. I have a vibe, But its not in between gears, or during shifting. Its all right around 1800 to 2300 rpm, in any gear. Whether I'm goin 20, 40, or 60. Its all related to the rpms I'm at and load. don't have a clue. Everyone tells me I just have to deal with it. Trans shop, and the dealer. Its very annoying. Even drones out, and I hear it OVER the radio. Felt everywhere. In the seat, in the steering, in the peddles.

 

Does it happen at those RPMs in neutral? Have you had your engine looked at? Any dash lights on?

 

No vibes I can tell in neutral. Only under load at mentioned rpm. No lights. No other issues.

 

i just purchased my 2011 Sr5, i am having the same type of vibrations, brought it to the dealer and they did the following;
1. checked the transmission fluid..... it was good and where it should be.
2. took the drive shafts off and inspected everything, nothing was out of order and they were all recently replaced....
3. swapped my tires for a new tacoma rims and tires just to try it, and they said it fixed it... but i never got to try it for myself......
i want to believe them, but i also dont want to go buy new tires... just bought the truck boys, its bugging me....
with my old tires on, it still, not all the time, but more often then not will vibrate like you guys are saying around 50 kmh and 60....
i have 30 days to return it... but i really dont want to if i can get this figured out.... is there any good ways to check and see if the torque converter is getting bad.....

 

The torque converter is a sealed unit bolted to the engine that sits inside the transmission bell housing. It's not a part that can be physically inspected.

 

so in other words... go with my gut, take it to toyota, take the tech for a drive to confirm it... then see if where i bought it from will replace it, or send it back..
on that note
would you recommend just replacing the transmission or just the torque converter

 

You don't have to replace the transmission if the torque converter is the problem like mine was. But the transmission does have to be removed to access it.

 

Could be the fluid is degraded to the point to where the friction modifier isn't doing its job anymore. Has it ever been changed?

 

make em swap the wheels and tires and let YOU verify if that it fixes it. Would not take their word for it