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Help with vibration and jerking

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by greatsaints, Apr 1, 2023.

  1. Apr 1, 2023 at 10:13 AM
    #1
    greatsaints

    greatsaints [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2011 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 Double Cab
    Hello all, I drive a 2011 TRD Off Road 4x4 Double Cab and I need help and thoughts concerning a vibration or gravelly (best word I can feel describes it)/rumbly/slight constant tremor that I feel in the pedals and floorboards.

    If you look at my previous posts I've made some boneheaded mistakes in the past ignoring some signs of trouble, so I'm trying to solicit thoughts for a diagnosis before something catastrophic happens again.

    Anyways yeah, I don’t hear anything, but I feel a persistent vibration, like, I don’t know, there is gravel in the drivetrain. Feel it in the gas and brake pedal and primarily in the floor. Stays at the same feeling/rate no matter how fast I’m going. Also feel it while I’m braking too, but tapers off like below 10mph. And now the truck is starting to, very slightly, jerk when I accelerate from a dead stop and when I decelerate. And then, even worse, it’s not every time I drive. It happens maybe like every other time I drive. But it doesn’t come it go over the course of the drive, it’s either there or it isn’t, each time I start the car. So it’s been hard to diagnose.

    This feeling has been there for a long time now. But the tiny jerking just started. I’ve replaced the wheels, the driveshaft, some wheel bearings, and a loose tie rod. But none of this had made this vibration disappear, so I’m afraid it’s getting worse.

    One mechanic just said it was my all-terrain tires, but this wouldn’t explain the new jerking, and the fact that I drive the same road to work everyday and the vibration is some days there, other days not.

    My next approach is servicing the transmission, because I don’t believe it’s been drain/filled or looked at since I bought the truck 50,000 miles ago.

    Maybe I’m just paranoid now, but just thought I’d ask. Any ideas, suggestions, or help would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Apr 1, 2023 at 9:27 PM
    #2
    Taco 422

    Taco 422 Well-Known Member

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    U joints, carrier bearing.
     
  3. Apr 1, 2023 at 10:02 PM
    #3
    ZMan2k2

    ZMan2k2 “Hold my beer and watch this!”

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    Under a tinfoil hat
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    Does it go away in 4x? Maybe front clamshell bearings.
     
  4. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:53 AM
    #4
    greatsaints

    greatsaints [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you so much. It does vaguely feel like it’s in the drivetrain, but that would really suck because I just replaced the entire driveshaft assembly last July.
    I did visually inspect the u joints and carrier bearing and they seem ok.
     
  5. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:55 AM
    #5
    greatsaints

    greatsaints [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Oh wow, I don’t even know what that part is, thank you. I don’t know if it goes away in 4x, I’ll go check and get back to you!
    Do you have any more information or links about this part and why this may occur? Is it easy to replace, potentially myself?
     
  6. Apr 2, 2023 at 7:15 AM
    #6
    ZMan2k2

    ZMan2k2 “Hold my beer and watch this!”

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    It can be replaced with the East Coast Gear Supply bushing and tool. There is a thread for how-to,
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecgs-bushing-and-cv-boot-replacement-how-to.269828/
    Easiest way to check is by putting it in 4x4. If the sound/vibes go away, likely that’s the cause.

    Are you lifted? If so, was it a recent install? That often triggers it. I was lucky, I’m okay.
     
    Taco 422 likes this.
  7. Apr 4, 2023 at 8:05 PM
    #7
    greatsaints

    greatsaints [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you so much for that info.
    Vibration didn't come back for a couple days, but then it returned. I drove the truck for a bit, switching in and out of 4x4. It didn't feel like it made too much difference. If anything, it maybe made the feeling slightly less pronounced, maybe.

    The truck is lifted, I bought it that way from the used dealer about a year and half ago, so not sure when it was done. You know I have been confused though, because I keep reading conflicting statements—does the TRD Off Road package come with a lift? Because I can't tell if this lift is a part of that package or something the previous owner did...

    Only other new information I've noticed in the last few days is the feeling seems to be more intense at lower speeds, like below 20. Especially when I'm slowing down, I feel like I can feel it worse in the brake pedal. But still present when I'm accelerating too.

    I'm really pulling me hair out over here. Since it's intermittent, it's been hard to get a mechanic to diagnose anything. But it's getting pretty rough when it appears. Does anyone know of anything else I could look at, or test, or research? Or any other good questions for me?
     
  8. Apr 4, 2023 at 10:40 PM
    #8
    ZMan2k2

    ZMan2k2 “Hold my beer and watch this!”

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    My only other thought would be wheel bearing. Mechanic should know how to check for that. GL.
     
  9. Apr 5, 2023 at 2:53 PM
    #9
    greatsaints

    greatsaints [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OK, so actually maybe you are correct.
    So I really didn't think the feeling went away in 4x4, but I watched this video of a guy replacing the front clamshell bearings with the East Coast Gear Supply bushing you mention, and he showed himself just grabbing where the axle meets the differential and showing how loose it was there as a way to diagnose the issue.

    Anyways I went under the truck to try the same thing and this was my result: https://youtu.be/jqaFq_MDxPA

    Pretty dang loose it feels like? That's where the clamshell bearing is right? Seems like this could be the issue?
     
  10. Apr 5, 2023 at 2:59 PM
    #10
    Wenty

    Wenty Well-Known Member

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    That's a little sloppy there. Think you need the bushing put in clamshell.
     
    ZMan2k2 likes this.
  11. Apr 5, 2023 at 4:32 PM
    #11
    ZMan2k2

    ZMan2k2 “Hold my beer and watch this!”

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    “That’s a little sloppy.”
    “That’s what she said!” :D

    Anyways, yeah, totally agree with @Wenty. Your bearing be cooked.:bananadead:
     
  12. Apr 5, 2023 at 6:54 PM
    #12
    greatsaints

    greatsaints [OP] Well-Known Member

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    @Wenty @ZMan2k2 Haha, thanks y'all, really appreciate it. Yup pretty sloppy.

    Sorry to be a nuisance, I'm still figuring this all out, but just to be clear it was exactly what you said, right @ZMan2k2 ? And this is where I should do as you suggested, replace it with the East Coast Gear Supply bushing?

    Just trying to get it all straight, so I can attack it correctly.
    Thanks!
     
  13. Apr 5, 2023 at 7:37 PM
    #13
    ZMan2k2

    ZMan2k2 “Hold my beer and watch this!”

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    Am I 100% sure? Maybe 75%. Diagnosing over the internet is sketchy at best. IF it is what I think, then yes, bushing replacement should cure what ails you.
     

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