Severe drive line shudder/vibration when under load

I have a problem with my '07 that is developing very quickly. It started as a noise when accelerating that I couldn't pinpoint and frequently wasn't even noticeable. Last weekend it was starting to become a little more noticeable, but it was only a slight noise, not always there, and I couldn't quite tell where it was coming from.

Yesterday I was out a good bit of the day in the truck. Started the day out and it was significantly more noticeable than ever before. I only hear/feel it when the drive train is under load. The moment I let off the accelerator it goes away. There's very little, if any, sign of it when decelerating, even while engine braking. I don't notice it in first gear. I occasionally notice it when reaching speed in 2nd and it's very obvious in 3rd and up. On my way home last night it was so bad I was coming to a crawl up hills just to go easy on it. The higher the gear, the worse it is.

Tonight I got under the truck and checked the u-joints and carrier bearing. I want to look again tomorrow, maybe I can get more daylight after work, but the u-joints seemed fine. I wasn't noticing really significant play and they looked fine. At the carrier bearing, I feel like I can shift the drive shaft around a lot without much effort. I didn't measure it, but it seemed like I could shift it a good 1/2" or so. I know there should be some play here though. How much is too much?

 

Copy and Pasted from an earlier post
Ask yourself and try this . These are some things you need to try before you post .Not only will it help you troubleshoot the vibration but it will narrow things down for some of the guys that like to try and help you with your vibes .
Vibrations usually get all mixed into the same pot and a lot of posters try and fix their vibes using what others have done without properly diagnosing their own issue .This causes additional frustration and all kind of cash $$$$$$$$
Take some time and try and narrow it down because the dealer is not going to help you .
Dealers may try and fix the vibration but from what most people have said , nothing the dealer does fixes the vibes and shudders .
Are you effected by the TSB ? http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...n-tsb-out.html

Have you greased your driveline ?http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tec...rks-total.html
Do you know how to grease your driveline properly http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/...%20FAQ%27s.pdf
Does the truck vibrate in park or neutral and does the vibration change with accelarator pedal ?
Does the truck vibrate while holding the brakes and hitting the gas - Automatic ?
Does the truck vibrate in neutral at a stand still ?or coasting in neutral ?
Does the truck vibrate in 4x4 ?
Does the truck only vibrate in 2 wheel drive ?
Does the truck vibrate with the serpentine belt removed ?
Does the truck vibrate cold or hot ?
Does the truck vibrate if you select nuetral and coast to a slow roll without using the brakes ?
Does the truck vibrate as you are braking ?
Does the truck vibrate with weight in the truck or empty ?
Does the truck vibrate while upshifting ? Have you checked your trans fluid ?
Does the truck vibrate while downshifting ? Have you checked your trans fluid ?
When was your last transmission fluid service ?
Now that you have a lift kit installed the truck vibrates . Did you cancel your drive line angles ?
Have you looked at the condition of your tires ? Toyota says to rotate every 5000 miles .Tacoma tires must be road forced balanced using the Haweka adapter on the tire machine
When was the last time you rotated your tires ?
Have the balance weights fallen off the tires ?
The proper and only way to test for bad universal joints is with the driveshaft removed . You cant tell if the universal joints are seized or tight spots with the driveshaft on the truck . You may see play in the universal joints , but you wont be able to properly check the u-joints without removing the driveshaft .All it takes to create a vibration is one seized universal cup and there are 4 cups within each joint .
With this said , you cant tell if that cup is seized with the driveshaft connected .
Removing the driveshaft and manipulate each universal joint by hand from side to side feeling for tight spots as you go
If you beleive its bad motor mounts or transmission mounts , grab a big pry bar and pry at the mounts to see if the rubber is torn or weak .

CANCEL DRIVELINE ANGLES http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...tion-free.html

 

U need to replace the center support bearing, common problem with these trucks, especially as they get older....

 

Park it in neutral when checking u-joints, and try to get any movement you can out of them, including rotational movement. Look for rusty "trails" out of the u-joint cup areas too, as that also indicates a dry u-joint bearing cap. Some movement in the rubber of the carrier bearing is normal, 1/2" certainly is not. I'd be surprised if it was moving 1/2 without visible signs of failure though.

 

I checked again tonight. I feel confident I'm moving the shaft at the carrier bearing a half inch, if not just slightly more. There's some distance where it's very easy to move, then I can tell I'm compressing rubber and it gets more difficult.

I also got a better look at the u-joints. The two toward the front still look good, but the one in the rear in front of the diff definitely needs replaced. I can see two seals on it are broken and shifted out of position.

 

Pulled the drive shaft tonight, mostly in the dark by flashlight. Confirmed that the rear u-joint is definitely gone. The two others still seem fine, but I may replace them too. The CSB is the wildcard. Seems like a lot of play, but I don't really know how it's supposed to be so it's hard to say.

I think I'm going to take the drive shaft to a couple people and see if I can get some opinions on it. My default choice though is going to be to just go ahead and replace it anyway.

 

If you have one ujoint that needs to be replaced the smart thing would be to get them all replaced.

 

4X4 Has slip Joint in rear drive shaft.

2X4 Does not have a slip joint in the rear drive shaft.

 

would a bad seal on the output shaft cause the vibration just in lower speed ? While accelerating and decelerating,

 

Sorry to bring back an old thread, but did you ever figure out what caused it? I’ve got almost the same issue but mine isn’t consistent ever, and the carrier bearings seems good. I also just replaced the 3 rear u-joints.

 

It was the rear-most u-joint on mine. I replaced all and he carrier bearing while I was at it. Everything was fine after.

 

I should probably replace my carrier bearing soon just in case. Doesn’t seem to have too much play, but might as well. Might try greasing my u-joints again just to make sure I fully greased them.