rumble strip feeling when going 30-40 mph

Hi there! I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. I have put a 3 inch leveling kit and 265/75/16 tires on it when I purchased it 2 years ago. Just recently I have started getting a rumble strip feeling when going 30-40 mph. If I let of the gas or goes away. It only happens in drive, of I run it in 4 it doesn't happen. I have replaced the u joints, center bearing, wheel bearings, rotors, calipers and brake pads. I also replaced the center leaf spring on each side. It still does the rumble! This is getting super expensive! Aside from this, i haven't had any issues. I live this truck! Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be? Please help! Thanks in advance!

 

Did all of those need replacing???

 

The leaf springs definitely. The mechanic said the others did as well, but it didn't fix the problem so I'm not completely sure. There are 148000 miles on it, so I wouldn't be surprised if they all did.

 

Sounds like a clear cut case of the driver's side CV axle bearing. This is typically fixed with the ECGS bushing.

Here's some light reading for you:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...differential-bearing-vibration-thread.152173/

 

Thank you so much! I will get it back in the shop next week sometime and that'll be the next and hopefully last thing I fix! You guys rock!! I hope you're right!

 

The "It goes away when I put it in 4wd", coupled with "It happened after I lifted it", are usually good indicators.

Links to the bushing:

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing.html

 

I mean fourth gear, not four wheel drive, my bad. I have tried it in 4wd while in drive and it still rumbles. It's only when I run it in fourth gear that it doesn't rumble. Sorry about that. Also the lift was put in about 2 years ago. No problems until now...

 

I wonder if it's a bad CV joint. I don't want to mislead and throw out random suggestions, but with my old Honda Accord, I had a noticeable vibration in 2nd gear during acceleration. I couldn't replicate it in 1st or 3rd at the same engine speed and/or throttle position. I noticed it most after I had the axle replaced. I replaced it again (myself this time), and it went completely away.

I don't have a great way to test the issue though, since you can't pull the axle out without spilling fluid everywhere.

 

It sounds likely that it's a different issue then.

 

Any ideas as to what? I'm hoping it's not a transmission issue! I've heard people had similar problems, and a flush of the transmission corrected it..... I'm just about at my wits end! I want my baby running strong again!

 

Some Gen 7 Camry's (2102-2014) are having issues with their transmissions and they say is a shudder or like running over a rumble strip. Take a look at these threads on Toyota Nation. See if anything is similar to your issue.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-shudders-judders-what-do-they-feel-like.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...anty-enhancement-letter-torque-converter.html

 

Oh boy, that sounds like it alright! Thank you all so much, I will get it in the shop next week sometime and see what happens I guess. This site is amazing and I appreciate all the input

 

I'm having this same issue right now. 2007. Driving down the highway fine. Stopped at the Ex's house to pick up the kids and on the drive back I have this rumble strip feeling. I have the ECGS installed years ago, so it's not that. Just in case I did try putting it in 4WD to see if it was the issue. Nada.
Drive shaft is fine. Cardons are solid and lubed, no extra play visible in the Drive shaft support bearing. Did a fluid change on the transfercase, oil looked good. Still golden, just a little dark from the new stuff.
Only happens on acceleration and when engine braking. If I'm coasting it's not there. And it's not RPM dependent, so I don't think it's the Tranny. Going to troubleshoot the Front CVs next.

 

Torque convertor ?

 

I am getting the tranny flushed sometime soon because I've heard that has taken care of the problem in the past... Just waiting for my mechanic to get the tool to do the job. I'll let you guys know if that helps at all. This is becoming such a hard problem to solve! Thanks for all the input though!

 

It's not the ABS kicking in is it? I had an S-10 with a speed sensor failure that would trigger the ABS after it got hot enough. Scary on the highway.

That said...


The fact that its happening with the gas pedal pushed in makes me think U-Joints.

How many u-joints were replaced? Who did the work? Is it possible that someone made an error, missed a joint, didn't lube the new ones, bent a yoke ear or, very easily, reassembled the shaft 180 degrees out of alignment because they forgot to mark the shaft halves or rubbed the chalk off during handling?

 

All u joints were replaced, and my mechanic is my 2nd cousin and has been a mechanic for 30+ years, so I trust him completely. I will have him check all the things mentioned and let you know! Thank you all for the feedback!

 

This happening to me too but my truck is 05 with 142k miles.
After I replaced everything you did and didn't fix the problem, I brought it to my brother's mechanic shop. He said he would've done the same thing I did by replacing all the basic stuff first because of the miles on the truck.
So he finally lifted the rear until the tires were in the air, secured the front wheels and had his assistant put it on drive and step on the gas. He went slow from 0 to 50 mph and we both saw the rear (long shaft) get off balance at speeds 30-40mph. He suggested to have the shaft re-balanced or if I can find another used one for sale at a good price, to buy it.

Tell your mechanic to do this before you start replacing other parts that are not necessary. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

I will definitely do that! Thank you so much!

 

The two halves of the shaft are balanced together. That's why I asked if it had been reassembled out 180 degrees.