Driveline Vibe Diagnosis Help

Thanks for the heads-up. I was unaware of this issue. I wish I had known this before putting on the lift. I should have researched more, I guess.

 

There are some people here that have a lift and do not have the needle bearing vibes in 4wd.

 

You're welcome. I've lifted almost every truck I've owned since the 70's and I'd never heard of it either. ECGS, (east coast gear supply), said they believe around 90% of 3rd gen Tacoma's with 2" or more of lift have this problem. It's not that difficult of a fix. Hope this helps.

 

but you should measure and report back your driveline angles, and see what your operating angles look like. mine are around 4 degrees off. i haven’t had the time to fix my rear end axle shims. i’m hoping it rides like a cadillac after that.

 

Checked at lunch. 4-Hi removes the vibration. Oh well, another weekend in the near future of drinking beers and wrenching on my truck. Could be worse. Thanks for the help.

I will still be following this thread for driveline angles and fixes.

 

You're welcome. ECGS has an excellent video on it. Helped me a bunch on mine.

 

When I did mine, I made sure the driver side front corner was much higher than the passenger side so I had less than 1 tablespoon of oil leak out. Put the bushing in the freezer overnight! makes an easier install.

 

I will measure what I have now. Unfortunately, I didn't have the forethought to measure before the lift. I can back that out from how much the front and rear lifted. It'll take some cipherin' and probably a couple more beers.

@aninzer - Sorry for inadvertently hijacking your thread with another issue.

 

so i have some updates, i installed what was described to me 2 degree axle shims, meat side forward, rotating the rear end down. my now measurements are refrenced from the center of the frame, out of the transmission, 2.6 degrees. the 1st shaft is 5.2 degrees. the 2nd shaft is 7.4 degrees, and the rear end is at 3.5 degrees. i got some good change. spicer says my operating angels are 2.6, 2.2, 3.9 operating angles.

 

i just checked my notes, and checked the math.. the shim installment changed my rear end angle 2.9 degrees down. from what i measured before and after. i still havent test droven the truck. soon.

 

i just flipped the carrier bearing back 180, and left my galvinized washer spacer, and now the front shaft 7.2 and rear shaft 6.

this is now what spicer says...

 

Your numbers are very close to mine. I could never get a+b+c to equal 0 , but I could get the angle of the first driveshaft to equal the angle of the rear diff, a method that some say works also. With very similar numbers to you, I have minor vibes 20-25 and 60-65.

I think our biggest problem is the first operating angle being around 4 degrees. If it were closer to 2, we would have room to drop the carrier bearing. Like you did, I’m going to experiment with flipping the carrier bearing.
Looking forward to hearing how your test drive goes.

 

if this guy sold me 2 degree.. i still wouldn't mind doing the labor and installing 3 degree, maybe even from a different supplier.

but.... this might fix my issue, but i also acknowlage your saying you had issues with similar numebrs..

im no expert, but i don't think operating angles are a bad thing, i think they just have to be close to equal on both ends. im sure theres a limit to how much is too much, in must equal out.

 

After installing my 2 degree shim if it doesn’t solve the issue I’m buying a one piece drive shaft. More problem solving and working on it is not worth my time anymore haha.

 

I asked this once in another thread (maybe even this thread) and got no response.
Why the f does toyota use a two piece driveshaft if a one piece works?
Once piece is clearly simpler and cheaper for them and probably eliminates these vibe probs.
Is it a shaft support/weight issue at the two ends (differential etc)? Does it matter?
Can anyone enlighten here? If there is a good reason for two piece, then what are you gambling with a one piece?

edit:
BTW I know how to use google . I am looking for a toyota truck specific answer.
FYI I had my stock SR5 leaf springs upgraded to OR by the dealer, per TSB, and it eliminated my deceleration vibrations.

 

im in the city right now, on my test drive. i didn’t get my truck over 65, but it seams my vibrations moved to different speeds. i’ll have to get on the interstate and learn the shakes for a couple of days to really say oh yeah it’s definitely noticeable here. but i will say, the sometimes violent or consistent shake at 55 is literally gone. so weird. yeah im thinking about 1 driveline upgrade like you said. i even heard of people finding old 4runner drives and taking it to a driveline shop to tune it up. might be cheap than the TW, im sure they’re great drivelines.

i’ll be sure to post updates on my vibes.

 

i could try moving my carrier bearing around. but it might change my 1st and 3rd operating angle to get crazy.

 

Forgot to post back on this. I installed the 2 degree rear shim and have no vibes at any speed. Makes me love the truck again!