smooth as silk up to 55, bad shake in that window, then smooth again. Always has been noticeable, but just put new tires on and now seems worse. Suppose I can go back and have the balance checked, but it was there before. Has never been in an accident, never bent anything. Need some ideas. Thanks
It's a manual 5 speed long bed deluxe. The vibration seems to be shaking from side to side. I don't want to bias anyone's ideas so have tried to be as vague as possible with the symptom description. Glad to give any info requested. Also noticed one one wheel there are 2- 2.25 oz weights on the outside and another 2.5oz weight on the inside. The other three have small what I'd consider normal amounts of weight added to balance the tires.
You can start by swapping tires around and see if the vibe moves. You can notice vibes up front through the steering wheel, so if you do have a wheel that's bad, this method might help. Maybe it's in your driveline...I see it's a extra cab, which means it has a carrier bearing in the center of the drive shaft, those come sloppy and only get worse over time, or maybe u-joints, I doubt it, but it's wortha crawl under the truck to check, and last, have you lowered it? My guess is you have, so it could be you've been in need of a pinion angle change that may get rid of that pesky vibe. Chances are it's probably not in the motor or the trans, but I have heard of bearings that went bad in the trans and made finding the vibe a chore until it was discovered. It's usually tires, wheels, or driveline.
First rotate tires front to back, if the vibration changes its in your tires. If not check u joints next, if those are all good its something less common like drive line balance, bent axle or diff issues.
ah yes damn extra cab, thats what i get for having internet access when I wake up. yes center bearing goes bad and can cause a vibration too, but it usually makes a noise as well.
Try having some one else drive and sit in the back and try to pin point the vibration.Also check your u-bolts make sure they are still tight.
If the rear is lowered more than 4", flip your carrier bearing upside down. Undo the 2 bolts, spin the bearing 180 degrees, and bolt it back up. This should raise the center of your driveshaft up about 1/2".
my 79 was shaking, seemingly from the front, at the exact speed range as you mentioned. Balanced the tires and the shaking drastically improved.
Hey Guys Thanks for all the advice. My bro in law is Service Manager at a dealership (wish it was Toyota) where I had the tires put on. He told me they spent 4 hours dinking with it yesterday. They ruled out tires and rims. The driveline was waaay down on my list (wishful thinking) but it was there. Since it's winter here I'll take it to my Toyota dealer (it's only been there twice in it's 30 year run, so think I can break down and let the experts have a look. In addition to the vibration, it's had a whine for a while, figured maybe next spring I'd look at carrier and u joints but I'm pi**ed enough to want it done now. Kind of ironic, got a message from the board saying I hadn't visited for a long time, sending me a reminder it was still an active board. Guess I renewed my viewing. LOL Wife just bought a new Highlander based on the pickup's record of little service needed. Will let you all know what they find. Mark
OK Kids as promised: It was a loose rear pinion flange nut. All u joints and bearings in good shape. Said it took about half a turn on the nut and all was well again. Amazing how again we can't see the forest through the trees. Something so simple. I was figuring massive bucks parts and labor. Cost about 70 bucks. Since I was figuring big bucks anyway had him do some overdue routine items I didn't get around to last fall so he could make a few bucks on the deal. Out the door still lots less than I had figured for the vibration alone. Also darn near got the new tires for free on what I'd budgeted for the vibration fix too.
I just replaced the leaf spring mount bushings on my '88, and it made a huge difference in the amount of bed shake.
