Shudder/Vibration getting worse

Vibration is getting worse. The Interior and seats vibrate now. Took truck to Toyota dealership today and they said the driveshaft was bad and need replacing. Taking it to a driveshaft shop to have them look at it and get their take.

 

That’s what I’d do, it will likely cost far more if you let the dealership fix it.
There is a reason driveline shops exist, they build drivelines.
While most dealerships and service center are place drivelines.

 

How many miles?

 

U joints, carrier bearing and pinion bearing/seal are all things I would look at before the drive shaft unless you bashed it on a rock or other obstacles.

 

111,500 Miles

 

Try to make sure its a shop with integrity.

The shaft may be fine, just other bits that mount it shot.

Do you submerge the area a lot? Do you lube the fittings regularly?

 

Never been submerged. Have always had scheduled service done. Would hope the U-Joints were lubed.

 

Most dealers/techs/mechanics don't even look for zerk fittings on the u joints to lube them.
All u joints don't have them though, most don't even bother looking, just assume they can't be greased.

 

I doubt they have ever seen grease since they were assembled. The dealer service guys just don't bother to look.

 

If they have been greased even Semi-regularly, you should see a grease streak where the old grease is slung out after greasing.

My truck has the grease streak, and I don’t grease mine near as often as I should.

 

Grease her up every oil change, so true that even “pro mechanics” will say they greased it when they only greased half of it, I have 8 parts to grease on my truck and you have to go out of your way to find them

 

$100 in parts and it will be in the past.

 

Just picked my tacoma up. Shop said u-joints were frozen. Replaced all 3 and balanced drive shaft. Smooth as silk now. I asked about grease fittings and they said there were none on the existing u-joints. I did have the rear springs and shocks done under a TSB. Maybe they were changed at that time?? I bought the truck new.. Anyway working great now.

 

Wasn't there a TSB for the driveshaft on some models? I think I even got a letter somewhere notifying me. I could be mistaken.

 

Thanks for the info. There was a TSB but it expired in 2019. I took it to the dealer with me and since it had expired I could not use it.

 

Ok, thanks. I guess if I find that letter, I can toss it.

 

I am located in Canada. Brought my truck in for a check this past July when it suddenly starting shuddering/squeaking at acceleration.

Turned out to be a very faulty center u joint. They replaced it for no cost and noted it was covered under WEP W19. Maybe this is only in Canada but not expired here?

 

Tried to look up W19 but could not find it.

 

Went back and looked at the TSB. They did extend to 12 years after original purchase. Since yours was a 2009 it was covered. mine is a 2005 not covered.

 

Well the adventure continues. Now have a leak at the rear of the transmission where the Driveshaft goes in!!