Anyone knowledgeable on “balance shafts”?

Hello TW.
The ongoing vibrations from acceleration in my 2010 SR5 DC is an ongoing issue that I just can’t seem to figure out and currently just dealing with since I haven’t had any leads on the issue. But I did hear some information from a friend of mine about checking balance shafts? that are supposedly located in the oil pan. Has anyone heard or have experience with this? If so, please share. Thank you in advance.

 

What engine do you have?

2.7L or 4.0L

Auto or manual?

The 4.0L doesn't have a balance shaft.


Have you checked the U-Joints and carier bearing?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rz-balance-shaft-delete.64499/

unless a balance shaft got out of time (very unlikely) or you changed something internal to the motor (that's heavy and moves) the balance shafts aren't causing your vibration and removing them will only make vibrations worse.

 

It’s a 4.0L automatic. I had the driveshaft balanced and spun and there was a pinched area coming off of the transmission that was fixed but that didn’t even touch the vibration. The carrier was sitting fine according to the driveshaft shop and no comments on the u joints. The u joint coming off the transmission wore a lot faster than the other two on the driveshaft

I was also told that when the carrier bearing goes out that it can do something to the balance shafts which is when all of this started is when the carrier bearing when out and after it was replaced, the vibration was constant and has no gone away. Even changed all of the fluids not too long after CB change ( transmission, diff, transfer, oil) no differences.

 

The carrier bearing will not affect the actual balance of the driveshaft. It either balanced, or it’s not. A bad carrier can be out of round, have a bad bearing, or be installed incorrectly.

It the problem started AFTER you replaced the carrier. I’d suspect a carrier issue.

FWIW, the carrier needs to sit at the same height as the old one. And the big nut needs to be torqued correctly. Blasting it in with an impact will get it too tight. Leading to premature failure.

I recommend going with a OEM carrier. That way, everything is “the same”.

 

300 years ago a balanced shaft would have convicted you as a witch.

 

If you fell the imbalance while acceleration, or deceleration I would suggest u joints are bad pr seized. I even felt when slow speeds driveshaft felt as if was kinking up.

 

I was looking for an OEM one not too long ago but I could not seem to find one that was actually OEM and in store unless it’s only on Toyota parts. If you had a link handy, I would greatly appreciate it, other than that I’ll start the search again.

 

Toyota uses Spicer driveshaft/u joints from factory

 

Try part #

$199 372300K030 Genuine Toyota 37230-0K030 Center Support Bearing Assembly

372300K030

 

I doubt a 1GRFE has a balance shaft.

 

I presume you installed an aftermarket center/carrier bearing? I had bad experience with them. One was a Dorman and did not last a year. Spicer makes the oem center bearings for Toyota. Their non-Toyota part #s are 5002334 and 5002007 - either will fit. The -334 is listed for prerunners and the -007 for 4x4. I installed the -334 in my 4x4 because the -007 was hard to find when I was shopping for one, and when I did find one, it cost twice as much. The difference is the -007 adds a dust shield, I read somewhere. I’ve had the -334 for four years and is holding up as expected.

 

Yeah I soon as I drove my truck out from the shop, there was an immediate vibration from acceleration and it’s been there ever since.

 

Thank you all for your help

 

On the two shitty ones I got, it was the rubber part around the bearing that deteriorated quickly. There was excessive play on the shaft at the center bearing. I felt more of a thumping than a vibration.

 

It's possible that the shop didn't put the driveshaft back together like it came and has it out-of-phase, which would affect the balance and cause a vibration.

 

I have heard carrier bearing is unidirectional. May have been put in backwards.

 

Yes, bad vibration at 60 mph+ after I hit 90k miles. I have an '06 DCSB 4x4 4.0L. Replaced U-joints & carrier bearing, vibration actually got worse (no longer worn out and loose). Replaced drive shaft (OEM) slip joint worn out. Tacoma is now smooth as silk.