Mystery vibration/groaning sound

Alright so a bit of background - 2003 Manual V6 Tacoma TRD ~175k miles. Recently drove from OR to CO after which this issue cropped up. The truck makes what sounds like a tire rubbing (too low to capture on video) and there is a very obvious vibrating that goes along with it. It comes and goes but is pretty consistently noticeable at around 30-40 mph. I did notice the other day that the noise and vibration disappear when I put it in high 4wd. I had a full vehicle inspection done at a reputable shop and they could not diagnose the issue. I took it to another shop that couldn't diagnose it either.

I'm at a bit of a loss now what to do next... Hoping to get some leads here to hopefully get this resolved ASAP before summer travels. Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers ya'll!

 

read the "description" portion of the problem. Am I saying this is "it"... it is one possibility.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

 

Thanks for responding Glamisman! I came across a discussion about the ECGS bushing in another thread but dismissed it because of the model years mentioned ('05 and newer). The description of the issue I read in that thread did mirror mine almost exactly, albeit related to a newer gen tacoma. Any thoughts?

 

my bad... wrong link. This is for 1st gens.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-1207128-toyota-clamshell-bushings-96-04-tacoma.html

these noises are notoriously next to impossible to locate and fix unless you have the time and tools to tear your front end down and check everything that rotates.

 

ahh got it, thanks! yeah that is the feeling i get after doing some research I guess ordering up one of these bushings and installing it is a good place to start.

 

When I did mine I had to thin out/trim/grind on the extractor edges to get it to fit behind the stock bearing and the bottom of the hole that it was pressed into. There just wasnt enough "bite" to extract the stock bearing.

 

did you lube the U-joints?

 

I have not lubed the U-Joints, maybe I should try that first.

 

"I had a full vehicle inspection done at a reputable shop and they could not diagnose the issue. I took it to another shop that couldn't diagnose it either."

this cant be true... a competent tech would have lubed the driveshaft and u joints as part of their inspection/diagnosis. It takes longer to rack the truck than to grease the fittings.

 

Is it lifted?

 

It has ome nitrocharger sport shocks paired with 880 coils so a very light lift, but the noise began when the suspension was stock. New suspension was only added about a week ago.

 

Yeah I don't know.. new to town so don't have a go to mechanic yet.

 

also check the carrier bearing, if the black rubber is roached out/worn, more than likely its bad.

 

Is it safe to drive until it's addressed? I ordered the part and tool.

 

If theres no High pitched squealing or BAD vibe I'd say its ok, if it starts to squeal really bad or excessive vibe. Then I'd say no.

 

This ^

 

I have 880's and a 2" aal, it gave me vibes that only axle shims solved. And it was close to what you describe. 30-45 mph, feels like a rubble strip at times. Mine was easily triggered when it high gear, coasting at a low rpm.

 

Quick update here.. Had the ECGS clamshell bushing installed a couple days ago and the vibration is gone! Hopefully it holds up and this helps someone else who runs into the same thing. Cheers ya'll

 

Sounds just like my problem.

Mine occurs coasting down from 40 and the road has to be smooth. Like a slight rumble, grind but it’s not consistent with the wheel rotation it comes and goes. Sounds like it comes from the front drivers side tire.

Toyota master tech said it was not worth looking into.

Was it hard doing that installation ?

 

That does sound very similar.. It was driving me crazy so I was determined to get it fixed. The shop I took it to said it was a little tricky, but they were able to get it done in a couple hours nonetheless.