steering wheel alignment and low level hum/vibration

For the last half year I have been feeling a low level hum or vibration that seems to oscillate, for lack of a better term. At first I thought it was because I was driving on a spare, or because my right rear tire was very low on tread life and the tire was noisy.

So I got new tires and brakes and got a front end alignment and its still there. then I thought maybe my diff fluids or transfer case oil needed changing. I had driven through some flood waters in the past year.

So I changed all my fluids: front and rear diff and transfer case. And I noticed (don't know how long it has been like this to be honest) that when driving straight, my steering wheel is not in the twelve o'clock position but about 11:30 position: just slightly off to the left.

And now the best possible clue, I realize the oscillation I described has to do with pressure on the steering wheel to the right. When I apply any pressure to the right due to the road camber or curves, is when I hear it, and it goes away with left pressure. The power steering fluid level is fine.

Any ideas? One last thing, not sure if its my imagination but it feels as though the front right corner of the truck sits slightly lower than the left. If so its slight and it could be my imagination.

Maybe time for new coils, or some other drive train issue? Thanks.

 

2 or 4wd? I would think the steering wheel would be centered if you had a proper alignment, but what do i know. lol

 

Sorry, forgot. It's a 2006 TRD Sport 4WD.

 

Sound like a bad wheel bearing

 

Does it go away when you put it in 4hi? Diff bearing if so.

Getting louder when turning could indicate wheel bearing.

If got both, by the way, lol. Thanks 5100's

 

Thank your springs, the 5100s do nothing without them.............

 

My '06 sport 4x4 is a bitch to align with a lift, and I had the same oscillating vibration issue when I turned on long curves. Get it aligned again now that you have new tires. The right shop will get it done right and you'll be smooth again, as long as nothing else is faulty. If they align to spec and you still have the issue again, check these:

• Possible bad CV axle (they tend to have a significant vibe on turns when they go bad, though)
• Possible wheel bearing, but you'll probably hear/feel that when just regular driving either straight or on turns.
• Torque everything suspension related.
• How old are shocks? Worn shocks can amplify things
• Oscillating hum is something I battled with - so I overhauled my suspension to make sure everything was straight again. New shocks, top plate kits, new tie rods, new leafs, new leaf bushings, and finally a new steering rack (shop just couldn't get alignment in spec). After all of that, I went in for one big alignment and the vibe issue was gone. Not sure which of those, or all, finally fixed the oscillating hum you describe.
• If you get a pull, and the wheel isn't straight, your alignment is out. Get that done first, then report back. Make sure the truck doesn't pull on level ground, doesn't vibe at highway speeds, and that the wheel is top dead center. If any of those are wrong, take it back and have them align again. Have them show you the paperwork, too. If you have a lift, make sure they are compensating for the new geometry.
• Can't hurt to check your driveshaft carrier bearing and U joints for damage/dryness, but probably not related.

 

Another vote for wheel bearing. If your turning right, and the noise goes away/gets less noticeable, likely passenger's side bearing. If the same happens when turning left, likely the driver's side.

 

Sounds like you are right. I went to a tire center who did my brakes and alignment last year. They said its the passenger side wheel bearing. As far as the misaligned steering wheel, going to take it back to the fools at the NTB who did my new tires and wheel alignment last week.

 

Shocks are original and just about to turn 150,000. Truck is ten years old but shocks seem to still be ok. And there is no pull. I think the misaligned steering wheel and the vibration are two different things. Honestly, this is the first repair in ten years. And one might consider this wear and tear. Great truck.

 

Yeah this happened to me a few years ago when my tacoma was only 2 years old. It was my rear passenger wheel bearing. Very annoying, but tacomas are known for bad wheel bearings.

Consider yourself lucky to have gone this long without wheel bearing issues. Then again, if you're out of warranty, guess it's not that lucky. Mine was still covered under the 3/36 warranty

 

Isn't there a guy on here that sells beefier bearings/hubs? I may go that route. Mine has around 47k on it. All this started with the 1.75 lift from the 5100. I know it was probably there before, this just makes it more noticeable. The diff bearing isn't bad enough for me to want to mess with yet.

 

They're long gone. You may not feel it because their age has been gradual, but they're toast. You'll know it as soon as you get new ones put on and feel the ride. Just the top shock mounts alone get worn and the holes get oblong. The rubber for the top spring perch gets flattened/dried/hardened, too. If you're not doing new shocks and new top plate kits every 5 years, you're overdue.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ub-bearing-assemblies-order-them-here.292605/

 

Thanks, I'll be getting these soon as my funds recover from my shop build

 

Off center steering wheel, assuming the wheel has not been removed and improperly replaced, is a castor setting issue. Shop should have checked that before releasing the vehicle to you, and they should correct for free.

You might ask when they last had their machine calibrated. Working with faulty equipment, or lazy techs who just look for the 'green light' is the cause of most alignments that aren't right.

 

Don't know if you have a Hibdons there, but they have some of the best equipment I've been able to find.

 

Thanks. long story short I went to a local NTB in New Orleans because I was hearing what sounded like the clips squealing. They replaced all 4 brakes. Mind you I had new brakes 1.5 years ago all around. my ceramic pads they pulled had minimal wear. Depth measured 9 mm. They called it a defect in the pads but it was actually a pebble that got into the pad that was making the sound. But they already changed all the pads. And did alignment since they were installing new tires. So in the end they suckered me out of brakes all around when all they had to do was sand the pads and turn the rotor on that one wheel. On top of that they did a shitty alignment. Truck rides true but the steering wheel is off. So I went to the shop in Shreveport that did the work 1.5 years ago. They are awesome. They did the bearing work, and even came in a lot lower than their quote, since they got the part cheaper than they thought. They turned the damaged rotor free of charge and lubed the u joints in the drive shaft. Gateway Tire if you are anywhere near Shreveport. I will be visiting the NOLA NTB on Washington Ave. to get this rectified and call them out on their cash register mentality.

 

Just reiterating the post above:

NTB Washington Ave. in New Orleans - stay away
Gateway Tire in Shreveport - excellent and highly recommended.

 

I stay away from NTB in general.

I learned that years ago, when I bought aftermarket wheels for my wife's WRX, and first brought them there to be mounted balanced. I initially thought it odd that one wheel had two layers of sticky weights. I won't get into the whole story, but after all was said and done, it turned out one wheel was out of round. In their defense, there were 2-3 other non chain store shops (who I also stay away from) involved after the initial mount/balance was performed due to how bad the car rode, and none of those dipshits picked up on it either. It wasn't until I requested to be back there with the last shop, while they balanced, when I noticed the out of round issue. Visually it was pretty obvious, once the wheel started spinning.