Pulsing/Vibration help? WITH NO LIFT

Hello everyone! Just joined this forum. Long, long time lurker. This forum has helped keep my Tacoma in tip top shape during my 10+ years of ownership. I have a 2011 DCSB Tacoma 4x4. It has 106xxx miles. It has always been serviced in time and is currently 100% up to date on its maintenance. It is also 100% bone stock, no lift/suspension work. ECGS bushing has been replaced already - preventatively. Switching into 4Hi while moving doesn’t affect this vibration.

The problem: there is a pulsing/vibration felt primarily in the wheel, but often the pedals. It is audible for sure. It is worse at 30-60 MPH, but always present. Oddly enough, the vibration goes away during soft turns once the wheels are pointed enough in one direction or another (taking an exit off the interstate, long sweeping turns).

My thoughts: 1) alignment. Tires still have plenty of tread. I just had it aligned and balanced/rotated before writing this post. An alignment did not fix the problem.

2) wheel bearings. Really? Wheel bearing issues on a Toyota with 106xxx miles that has very very very rarely driven off road? I’ve lifted up the front wheels off the ground and there is no funny play up/down, left/right. Aren’t faulty wheel bearings supposed to get WORSE as you turn while moving???

3) CV axle. Again - really? No hard wheeling, no hard angles, no lift. Surely they last longer than 106xxx.

Feel free to chime in. I’m attaching my alignment numbers for those who can read what they mean. I know the truck is in “spec” per the sheet, but could the numbers be better? Let me know. Thanks a million for all the help!

 

Wheel bearing(s) would be my guess.
It’s not uncommon to see them fail on this generation truck @/around 100k.
Mine did, and jacking it up and inspecting didn’t show signs of failure.

The wheel bearing isn’t under load while the wheel is off the ground.
This makes it hard to diagnose while in air.

The bearing can/will make noise while going straight.
Mine did after I kept driving on it for a long time.
It’s started as a “more noticeable” noise when going into a turn.
And went away when going going into the turn the other direction.

For instance, the RIGHT front is bad.
When going in to a LEFT TURN, you are placing a heavier load on the RIGHT front bearing.
This makes the noise louder.

When going in to a RIGHT TURN, you are placing more load on the LEFT front wheel bearing.
Which takes some load of the right front. Which makes the right front have Less/No noise.

Eventually it can get bad enough to diagnose wit the wheel in the are and spinning/shaking the wheel.
By then, the problem is usually very self evident. You’ll see tire wear, horrendous noise, and possibly even uncharacteristic brake pad wear.

 

Wheel bearings 100%

 

This^^^

 

Wheel bearings it is. Sadly, I am in the process of moving and have since sold my hydraulic press. I'll need to buy the "pre-assembled" wheel bearing assembly - lug nut studs included and everything.

Any recommendations on where to buy them? I know BluePitBearing sells essentially OEM assemblies for $239 with a one year warranty, without the dealer cost. Actually I have no idea what they'd cost from the dealer... maybe it's about the same. Advance/AutoZone/O-Reilly's all sell a similar product for $150-200 or so, with a 3 year warranty.

What path would you all choose?

 

Also - can anyone chime in on my alignment numbers since I've already posted them? I never pay attention to my alignment numbers, as I haven't had the need to in the past. I know that "within spec" often isn't good enough...

 

Your alignment looks perfect. Caster is high but if you have a 2-3” lift it’s perfect.

 

No lift yet.

I have 887's, 5100's all around, and medium dakar's on order. Lift should be installed within the week. I have the lifetime alignment and balancing with Firestone, so I can take it back a million times until I'm happy.

 

A lot of people have used these.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-bearings-hubs-press-service-4x4-prerunner.537080/

They are built by a member here with NSK bearings.
I haven’t used his myself. But the price seems very reasonable for the quality or parts you get.

 

I'll reach out and see what the lead time is. Thank you all for the suggestions

 

I have already PM’d ToyotaHubs and money is sent. Will let you all know if my problem is solved once they come in!

 

Good deal. Are you going to do them yourself?
They aren’t too bad, if you can do the bushing. You can do them no problem.

 

Yes always myself. That bushing was annoying to do - I don’t think my CV axle had ever been taken out before and I had the HARDEST time taking it out.

 

Depending on how far you want to go.
You might consider doing the dust seal on the back of the spindle.

I unbolted the lower ball joint mount. Disconnected the tie rod from the spindle, pulled the spindle outwards and rotated it out of the way.

There is also one on the CV too.
But I opted not to do it. I don’t like pulling the axle.
You should do them both, but I usually go by what I see.
If I don’t see water intrusion, I usually don’t worry much about it.

Like I tell people. What should be done, and what I do are different things.
I will always recommend what should be done. Let us know how it goes

 

Of course. I’ll also be installing 5100’s with 887’s and medium Dakar’s in the process. What a day

 

Bearings came in - will install in the morning!

On a side note, I installed the Dakar’s and 5100’s only in the rear as I’m waiting on my UCAs before doing the fronts (will do this weekend). Looks hilarious

 

Medium Dakar’s installed, extended 5100’s in the rear, 887’s on 5100’s in the front, SPC UCA on setting D (0 degree caster) and extended stainless steel braided lines all around. Rear sits about 1” higher than the front with is perfectly fine because I actually use this truck as a truck.

Wheel bearings installed up front. And YES - they did fix the problem. No issues/vibrations whatsoever, besides the ever classic Tacoma driveline vibrations associated with lifts (only felt between 10-20 MPH).

All is well!

 

Here is a picture with all the work done!

 

Thanks for the update.

Truck looks nice