Has anyone ever bent a shaft in your 7.5" housing? I have developed a bothersome vibration over the last year and have been chasing it everywhere, it seems to be coming from the rear of the truck.

I started by replacing the driveshaft support bearing (even though I knew that the vibration isn't a driveshaft one...), followed by having all of the wheel tire combos "road force" balanced (amazing technology).

I found one bad tire, replaced it, and the problem is still there. It feels like a wheel balance issue, but have had the full set balanced more than once, ruled that out. I rode in the bed one day while a friend drove, didn't see any tire bounce or signs of a tire out of round.

Finally, tonight I jacked up the rear, put jack stands under the frame to let the axle hang out and started her up. I noticed that on the rear passenger side the whole wheel and tire are slightly out of whack. Just a few thousands runout (guestimating). Since the road force balancing detects wheels that are bent and or out of round, I ruled the wheel out.

So, this leads me to believe one of a few possibilities.

1.Bent axle shaft.
2.Bad brake drum?
3.Bad bearing install. (I changed these quite a while ago.)

Thoughts?

 

I've had U-joint issues before in my 4Runner, it doesn't resemble that at all, and I already checked those.

I'll check the bearing and leaf bushings next.

Thanks.