Entire Vehicle Vibrates

I am posting here because I am at my whits end. My 2007 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner SR5 access cab v6 has been vibrating recently in a couple of different situations for the last 5-6 weeks. And it has started occurring more frequently over the last week.

When: 1. Accelerating through the 20-25 mph range mostly uphill. 2. Less likely around the 40-45 mph range. This hasn't occurred as much so I have less info.

What I've done: Replaced spark plugs and ignition coils. Replaced engine filter. Performed an oil change. Verified there is no flexing in the drive shaft universal joints. I don't hear any hissing in the engine bay while idling. Also, haven't found any lose fittings.

What I plan to do: Run a full tank of ethanol free gasoline through once I am low enough on my current tank.

Suggestions on what to do next would be much appreciate...Transmission flush? Was considering a replacement of the fuel filter until I found out it's basically in the gas tank.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my post. I tried to add as much detail as possible on the first go.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Is the check engine light on?

 

Dang it, I knew I would miss something. No check engine light on. Also, to add to the next steps to consider, take it to the dealership to get a diagnostic done. I plan to call them tomorrow to determine their cost for this diagnostic.

 

Are you lifted or stock height?

 

I am standard height but slightly larger tires than stock. I have been using the larger tires since I had to replace them the first time. I am currently at 168K miles as well. Will admit to not performing all recommended maintenance.

 

That's ok, I was just thinking it was driveline vibrations from being higher in the rear. I'm not too sure, but it sounds like something there rather than the engine. Axle wrap perhaps? Carrier bearing?

 

If you got no CEL, than most likely the issue is not engine related.

Tires, wheel bearing in the rear or a bad carrier bearing on the drive shaft are the most common culprits.

 

Seized brake caliper?

 

I will say I had my drive shaft replaced I believe somewhere around the 80K mile mark. Also, had the leaf springs replaced on the recall put out by Toyota. I just looked up axle wrap and carrier bearing. Attaching a picture of front and back of my carrier bearing as well as the rubberized support just behind the transmission case. The rubber donut and bearing holding seems to be very solid. As far as axle wrap goes, not sure I know how to test that.

 

I just posted photos of the carrier bearing. I had my tires rotated and balanced about 1 week ago. I will keep the wheel bearing on my list of items to look into.

 

Would this just require a cleaning of the calipers (front and rear)?

 

Pull drive shift and check for binding in all u joints and make sure no sloppiness at all in them or the carrier bearing.

If you are 4x4, drive in 4x4 with it removed and see if vibe is still there.

 

What do you mean by pull the drive shaft? Unmount the carrier bearing?

This is not a 4X4 only rear wheel drive.

 

Those with 4x4 can remove rear drive shaft, put truck in 4wheel drive and essentially have a front wheel drive truck. This help to find out which end the vibration is coming from.

 

Mine were complelery seized ened up replacing

 

Some things to think about-

Is the "vibration" a steering wheel shimmy ( side to side) or a rumble strip sensation?

Have you greased any zerk fittings on U- joints? How did you inspect the U-joints? Do you see rust coming from any U-joint cups?
Any oil leaks from the rear end pinion or axels?
Have you noted any squeaking when the driveshaft spins or clunking/clanging when shifting from forward to reverse?
Can you hold the transmission (minding redline) in first, second, third, four and fifth gear and see any difference over the same road giving problems?
Is there any difference with some weight in the bed or have you hauled or towed anything heavy coincident with the problem?
How old are the tires (milage) , what brand and type and are they on stock rims?
Have you hit any potholes, ruts, or road debris that coincides with the problem appearing?

Any other seemingly unrelated events that may relate to the appearance of the problem?

These answers may help us determine what's going on.

 

Is the vibration only during accleration?

once you let off the gas pedal, the vibration goes away?

whats the engine rpm's happens?

 

I want to inform those in this thread of the most recent steps I took. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. This was all completed this past Saturday. I ran my regular gasoline down to the point where my gas light came on. I pour a can of

$25 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.

BG 44K gasoline cleaner into my tank and filled the tank with ethanol free gasoline. I then took my truck to an auto buddy's house. We drained the transmission fluid. Removed the transmission pan and gasket (I was missing a bolt on the pan while most of the bolts were mostly loose and the gasket had cracks in it). Removed the filter (this thing spat out quite a bit more fluid so there was a large puddle under the vehicle). The magnets in the bottom of the transmission pan were odd looking as I've never been an auto guy. They were covered in metal shavings and transmission fluid. They looked like they had been blown up like a small bubble until I pushed on the "bubble" and just moved the sludge around. We used brake cleaner to clean away as much of the old transmission fluid inside and outside the pan and filter. I removed the old gasket from the pan. We wiped down as much of the metal shavings and fluid from the magnets as possible as well. We water sprayed all the parts to get the brake cleaner washed away. Then we sat the parts out in the sun to dry off. It was hot Saturday in Atlanta so we only let it bake for 15 minutes or so. We placed the magnets back in their appropriate location in the pan. Lubed up the O-ring on the filter, pushed it back in place, and screwed it back into place with it's bolts. I had bought a new gasket and 20 new bolts to just to be safe. My buddy and I worked together to get the gasket lined up while we were hand screwing a few of the bolts into place. He snugged the bolts down as he didn't have a torque wrench to get them tightened to specs. Didn't do it too tight but not so loose that they would fall out...Like last time. We then checked how much fluid we removed...4.3 quarts. We know I had some missing with the missing bolt and the fluid visual on the outside of the pan to go along with some fluid we lost on the floor. He pumped the first 3 quarts into the fill port and gave me the enjoyment of pumping another 1.8 quarts in. We closed off the fill port and turned the truck on to check for leaks. Visual inspection showed no leaks. We took it out for a spin and had the vibration still occur. I'll answer a question here...It was a rumbling of the whole vehicle when between 20-25mph and I believe changing between 2nd and 3rd gear. I left his place after all that thinking, "well, we tried and I am super appreciative of him for helping me." On that note, I was going to wait a few more days before scheduling an appointment with a dealership. While waiting and trying to engage the issue again, I haven't had the problem since I left his house Saturday.

Short story: Used BG 44k fuel cleaner and ethanol free gas. Drained (no flush) the transmission fluid and cleaned the pan and filter. Replace the bolts and transmission pan gasket. Problem hasn't been occurring in 3 days.

Thank you so much to everyone who gave me direction!

 

Call the dealership. The u joints have a recall. They'll replace them for free if the dust sheilds are cracked. I have a 4x4 so the recall might not cover prerunners since they don't have the same u joints.