Solution: PreRunner Driveshaft Alignment with Rear Lift. No Vibes/CB Damage!

Tacoma_SR5Pro · Sep 20, 2022

This was very helpful. I'm running into the same issues with my lift on my 2WD and my shop recommended this exact solution, a 1" driveshaft spacer and CB drop kit and that should fix everything up.

I'm glad that this was a full solution for you. I hope I have the same outcome as you.

Relik[OP] initial post: ↑

Hey guys,

Thought I'd share my experience with lifts and driveshaft/carrier bearing alignment on my '11 PreRunner. It all started with TSB+AAL rear springs. I heard some vibrations while at speed, and louder when above 60mph. So I looked under the truck where I thought vibtration/humming came from. And I spotted my carrier bearing. Started to see some bashing of my Carrier Bearing (CB), and when I got All-Pro 3" Standard Lift springs, my CB eventually blew out. Its just a bearing in a rubber pillow holding the 2wd/PreRunner driveshaft up between the axle and transmission.

The lift causes the driveshaft to be "shorter" due to the greated angle after lift. And the CB has a neutral position on the driveshaft, which LOWERS and MOVES REARWARD with lift.

MORE EVIDENT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE OF SHAFT. ITS STICKING OUT INSTED OF FLUSH.

So I tried the Beefed Taco CB bracket, which lowers the mounting of the CB for better angle. It did align the angle of the driveshaft well, but then this is when it was evident that the driveshaft has moved rearward. My CB bearing gave out and my vibrations at 60mph got terrible (driveshaft flopping around...)

So I bought a replacement CB (NOT CHEAP!) and noticed the start of some wear on the rubber. So after some research I decided to try these All-Pro axle relocation plates which shift the axle forward 3/4"

This caused my U-bolts to have to be at an angle but it worked out. More than 1/2 of the vibes in the road went away but still at 60/70 loudest. And when I went off-road, I'd start wearing the rubber on CB from it not being aligned all the way. The transmission/driveshaft did still stick out but only 1/4" to 3/8" only now.

But thanks to the forums a guy hinted to use a Driveshaft Spacer instead of the axle plates, which is a spacer between the axle pinion and the driveshaft. Since I used 3/4" axle plates and needed more distance, I ordered a 1" driveshaft spacer from 4crawler.com. They sell different size spacers from 3/4" to 1.5".

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DriveshaftSpacer.shtml#65mmx65mm

AND THEN....

AND MY CB AND DRIVESHAFT ARE ALIGNED! All my vibrations at speed are gone and the truck drives great with the axle back where it needs to be without the axle plates and with the Beefed Taco lowering bracket AND driveshaft spacer. This may not be an issue on your truck, but I'm sure a 2wd/PreRunner with 3"+ lift should have this problem as I did. Thought I'd share the information.

4Crawler Driveshaft Spacer (I got 1" spacer for 3" springs):
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DriveshaftSpacer.shtml#65mmx65mm

BeefedTaco CB Bracket: 1.5" drop
http://stores.streetacos.com/-strse-1/carrier-bearing-driveshaft-vibration/Detail.bok
Click to expand...

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Solution: PreRunner Driveshaft Alignment with Rear Lift. No Vibes/CB Damage!

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Solution: PreRunner Driveshaft Alignment with Rear Lift. No Vibes/CB Damage!

#21 Tacoma_SR5Pro Well-Known Member

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