2012 Stock Tacoma Driveline Vibration

You have the 4 leaf pack.

The shudder is worse the more gas that you give it. The first 500 miles I put on the truck I really babied it everywhere and drove like a grandma (I still do for the most part) and hardly noticed it. But, when I have to accelerate to turn out of a parking lot on to a street, or even move with the flow of traffic up a hill when the light turns green, I feel it a lot worse.

Careful with what you're saying about the shudder, you're about to get a bunch of dumbasses that will come in here telling you that "since it's a truck is should shudder and be beat to shit - if you wanted a smooth ride buy a Cadillac you sissy!" I'm one of the people that thinks a $35k, 2013 vehicle of ANY body style should ride smooth, regardless of truck bed. My 1954 chevy on a '77 K5 4x4 chassis didn't shudder. Nor did my 1992 Sierra (6" lift), nor my 2000 Tundra (6" lift) or 2001 Tundra. My 2013 should be smooth as glass.

 

I think its mostly a vib it happens really quick like for a second. Just when you take off until maybe 2 to 5 mph. Its real quick, feels like its coming from the rear. i have read on here that lots have it. My truck is stock and i will keep it that way.

I too think that a truck while its not a cadi it should not drive like a tank either. It still should be smooth other than types of tires or suspension stuff.

 

i got the TSB done a few weeks back and i did absolutely nothing. I will be taking it back this week for the same issue and if thats not fixed contacting my Attorney General office to proceed with lemon law filing which will give Toyota one last chance to fix before arbitration.

 

there is a service bulletin out for that shudder on new trucks. Fortunately i had them put the 3inch leveling kit on and they corrected the problem at that time.

 

I had this TSB done. First time around they installed the springs and steering wheel damper. I returned it and said nothing has changed. If anything it now added vibrations while slowing down. from 60-40km/h.

Whats weird this time around he didnt write on the service report that I'm complaining about the TSB not working. They just went ahead and completed the original TSB. By changing the transmission mounts. What do you guys think, should I ask for the proper writing or wont make a difference in the long run. Say if this Ever went to arbitration or I go back asking for a newer TSB if Toyota ever releases one.

He included the measurements they took on various parts. Means nothing to me. I swear these guys don't take things for road tests. There just stuck in there little box doing what the paperwork ses. No real world applications to what there saying or doing. Telling me things like dirt will make the driveshaft vibrate.

I've done what I can to push this issue with this dealer, now I will be reporting everything to the 1-800 number and routinely checking back here for any progress. Because I cant debate something with people when it feels like debating creationism with evangelical christians.

 

Dan, when I click on your picture thumbnail it says, "Invalid Attachment specified". Maybe it's just me?

ETA: Or maybe you're fixing it since the thumbnail's gone now...

 

caught me fixing it. Should work now.

 

That's your alignment sheet which I think looks normal. Keep on them about the vibrations.

 

This. I went back and told them to fix the paperwork and that I wanted to open a case with Toyota.

 

I had springs and steering wheel damper done it fixed my issue, just hope it does not return.

 

How is this going? I looked thru the posts for an update, but couldn't find one. I've been looking at texas lemon laws. From what I see I fit the profile. After all the tsb's and finally the updated drive shaft tsb, my truck vibrates hard. And now vibrates when it reaches that 20 mph threshold on decelleration. I have service records from 4900 miles showing me complaining of this and now at 18k miles its very bad. The service manager said it was the worst one he has ever driven. The dmv lemon law department said I have to now write a letter and get certified receipt telling them of my problem, experience and give them 30 days to fix it before I can apply for the lemon process. I'm drafting the letter this weekend. If they send a tech out and it gets fixed so be it, ill be happy. But even if I wanted to trade it in, I would get laughed off the lot wherever I go. Its that bad. If they can't fix it, I'm getting my money back. Incedentaly I have had every other tsb you can get done to the truck other than the window leak and whistling grill tsb. I've had so many other vehicles, new off the lot, and never had problems like this. Its a bad ass little 4x4 and that's all that its got going for itself.

 

I took mine in for the TSB's a month ago. They replaced the rear springs, a steering damper and I believe either a motor mount or transmission mount. There was no improvement and the tech noticed it. No one at the dealership is denying the symptom. I had to bring it back another day for a factory rep to check it out. Supposedly this guy made a special trip to my dealership to find a solution. He took lots of measurements, checked alignments, etc. He was supposed to be an expert. According to the dealership he found nothing wrong. I was told Toyota is aware of the problem, but there is no fix. I was told it's simply a characteristic of the truck. I don't know anything about Louisiana lemon laws, but I plan to research it. I find this "characteristic" completely unacceptable for a new vehicle. Had I noticed it prior to the sale I would not have purchased it.

 

So why doesn't Toyota put in one-piece driveshafts, anyway?

 

I apologise for not reading the entire thread, was wondering if someone could fill me in on whether or not this issue affects vehicles with a manual transmission or only autos?

 

I have an 06 and I have this issue. I want to order one of those one piece driveshafts from A1. anything to get rid of this damn problem

 

I have a pretty bad shudder in my '05 6 speed, and I noticed that the more weight I put over the rear axle, the more gas it takes to cause the shudder. I'm wondering if it's spring wrap related since the extra weight would cause the overload springs to stiffen the leaf pack and keep the drive shaft in place?

The shudder is only there if I give it too much gas while letting out the clutch. With a shell and a trailer the shudder is almost gone completely. Has anyone tried to correct the shudder with a traction bar? I'm seriously considering welding one up using Ruff Stuff Specialies' kit, but spending $200 and welding to the axle housing is not something I want to do if other people have tried it without good results.

BTW the shudder feels almost like mild spring wrap, except there are definite repeating thumps that happen very quickly. I'm only guessing this is what everyone else is experiencing.

 

Just an update in case anyone still having this issue. I went in last week and they replaced my drive shaft under a tsb. It didn't fix the problem so I took it back again yesterday. I guess they contact Toyota Corp. And they were told not to fix it because they are investigating a permanent fix. So I was told to go pick it up and they will call me back once a fix has been issued. I know the real problem is axle wrap but I want them to fix it. So now I have to wait. They mentioned that tons of other Tacoma are having the same issue.

 

This will be fixed when they do a total redesign of the Tacoma. This has been going on for a few years now. I bet they know what it is but it will be too costly and are just waiting for a redesign and then the older ones may get ignored. Fix most likely will be new rear springs and a one piece driveshaft.
Look under the Frontier and check out their driveshaft and rear springs. That is most likely what the redesigned Tacoma will look like.
The Frontier does not shudder.

 

So i have a 2013 tacoma DC/LB 4x4.

i have notivced some vibrating but only when im making a right turn at slow speeds. i only have 2000 miles on my truck and it is stock hight.
at first i started hearing noises coming from the right rear. then after about 500 miles i started to feel the vibration when making right turns.

do you think i should report this issue to the dealer. and see what they
will do about it. I really dont know if the truck has had any TSB fixed on it. i have only had the truck for about a month now.

can anyone give me some insight...?

 

Nobody likes the shudder but I don't think it will cause a problem except shorten the life of the rear u-joint.