5ft bed, one piece driveshaftInteresting. That sounds like a mild version of what my truck is doing.
Is yours a 5ft or 6ft bed? The double cab long bed trucks have a 2 piece rear drive shaft, which can have extra issues.
Ok, things it could be. I own a 25 Tacoma SR5 4x4 and a 25 4Runner SR5 4x4, which are the same but not the same, even though the drivetrain is identical.Has anyone else had a vibration/rumbling in their truck that was confirmed to be something other than wheels and tires?
I need to get this fixed so I can go snowboarding soon!
My automatic 24 TRD OR developed a weird vibration at 9700mi and I'm going back to the dealership on Tuesday for the second time after opening a case with Corporate Toyota - the first tech test drove it with me and only said "it's a truck, it's not supposed to be smooth".
It feels like I'm driving over rumble strips, or a tire/wheel is extremely out of balance. But just in the rear half of the truck.
My truck doesn't fall under the transmission recall either.
Details:
Started suddenly at 9700mi.
Speed dependent, 20-40mph, worse on decel/coast. No change when I shift manually to different gears.
Not in the front end - felt through the seat and chassis only.
Not the engine - no change when I shift to neutral while coasting.
Not the front driveshaft/diff - no change in 4wd.
Not tires/wheels - no change when I swap back to stock, or rotate to different positions.
Not the tonneau cover or bed mat - removed them.
No change with 500lb loaded into the bed, squatting the rear end ~1.5".
My thoughts are that it's either the transmission, rear driveshaft, or rear diff.
5ft bed, one piece driveshaft
Pic from many thousand miles ago and pre-offroad use:
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I had a 2G TRD OR with a bad carrier bearing, was considerably worse vibration than this. Ofc no carrier bearing on 1 piece driveshaft.
It's possible the aluminum driveshaft allows for a lot of normal resonance through the drivetrain that steel wouldn't.
I have the same exact tires on Toyota wheels. Is the vehicle lifted? If lifted over 2.5" with any type of lift, it could cause a needle bearing issue. BUT, only when driving slow or coasting at 35-40 mph. On my lifted 3rd gen I had that issue between 35-40 mph and never fixed in the five years I owned it. Never had an issue, I just got used to it.Tires and wheels aren't the issue - it does it with my OEM wheels and tires at 32-35psi (I tried a few different pressures), as well as my LT275/70R17 C rated Falken AT4Ws on Method wheels at 35-38psi. The vibration doesn't change when the wheels are rotated to different positions. It's more noticable with the aftermarket wheels and tires though - likely due to the added stiffness and weight. Maybe.
No change in the vibration with or without brakes applied, but, it is definitely most noticeable on decel and coasting. I have shifted my automatic transmission to neutral during the vibration and there was no change. I have manually shifted to different gears with no change.
Note: balancing is hit or miss; they may have slung a weight. As for alignment, if you brushed a curb or did any off roading on rocky trails that could have messed up the new alignment, curbs especially. I would take it to another shop and have them re-balance the wheels/tires. Other than that, if you live in the mountains or haul anything, long or hard braking can warp the rotors. While rare on Toyotas it does happen and will vibrate under braking, say exiting the highway at high speeds etc. The dealer should cover that under warranty. I doubt it is the drive shaft on this new gen, but I will tell you running 35psi with c rated tires in the morning makes the Tacoma ride rough, especially compared to the 25 4runner SR5 we have with the same tires.No lift, tires are road force balanced, just got it aligned at the dealership.
Can confirm about the rotors. 99% positive mine are warped.Note: balancing is hit or miss; they may have slung a weight. As for alignment, if you brushed a curb or did any off roading on rocky trails that could have messed up the new alignment, curbs especially. I would take it to another shop and have them re-balance the wheels/tires. Other than that, if you live in the mountains or haul anything, long or hard braking can warp the rotors. While rare on Toyotas it does happen and will vibrate under braking, say exiting the highway at high speeds etc. The dealer should cover that under warranty. I doubt it is the drive shaft on this new gen, but I will tell you running 35psi with c rated tires in the morning makes the Tacoma ride rough, especially compared to the 25 4runner SR5 we have with the same tires.
No lift, I don't have the TRD wheels anymore just on OE steelies and it all balanced really well with the BFGs. I had my independent shop do that though, they take their time.I have the same exact tires on Toyota wheels. Is the vehicle lifted? If lifted over 2.5" with any type of lift, it could cause a needle bearing issue. BUT, only when driving slow or coasting at 35-40 mph. On my lifted 3rd gen I had that issue between 35-40 mph and never fixed in the five years I owned it. Never had an issue, I just got used to it.
Before throwing down on a needle bearing install $$$, I recommend a good road force balance and an alignment. Get the road force balance at Discount Tire; they guarantee their work, and I recommend an alignment at a Toyota Dealer since they do a lot of them on your vehicle.