Driveline Vibration Issue & Fix: Replace Rear Driveshaft

[JayTech]

I found two different part numbers for the 2pc rear propellor shafts on longbed, automatic transmission trucks:

37110AK010 - 2024 SR, SR5, gas only; 2025 SR, SR5, Limited, gas & hybrid.
37110AK040 - 2024 & 2025 TRD OR, gas & hybrid.

I wonder if we can isolate the issue to one specific part number?

37110-AK040 is for the 5ft bed. That is the driveshaft in my Off Road Premium Non Hybrid 5 Ft box. 37100 part numbers are usually 2 piece shafts while 37110 are the one piece rear shafts.
The issue isn't isolated to just one part number as we have already done the Trailhunter exclusive 37100-AK020 shaft, and 37100-Ak010 shaft in a couple sports.

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[Yotota]

37110-AK040 is for the 5ft bed. That is the driveshaft in my Off Road Premium Non Hybrid 5 Ft box. 37100 part numbers are usually 2 piece shafts while 37110 are the one piece rear shafts.
The issue isn't isolated to just one part number as we have already done the Trailhunter exclusive 37100-AK020 shaft, and 37100-Ak010 shaft in a couple sports.

Damn, looks like Partsouq failed me for part number!

But you've already looked into my idea. If it's not isolated to one propellor shaft part number, then it's an overall design or manufacturing issue.

 

[JayTech]

Damn, looks like Partsouq failed me for part number!

But you've already looked into my idea. If it's not isolated to one propellor shaft part number, then it's an overall design or manufacturing issue.

Yea we looked into that when we had the Trailhunter with the vibration in and wanted to see if it was the same part as the other ones that were having issues.

 

[BLtheP]

Interesting. I have the two piece steel driveshaft on the short wheelbase due to the MT. Best I can tell, my driveshafts are the exact same length as the 4x4 AT SWB, so I never understood why mine is 2 piece while the equivalent AT is not, but regardless mine is smooth as silk at all speeds with no vibes, so whatever they did, they got it right on mine.

They had issues with rear shafts on the 3rd gen as well (common recurring theme); wonder why Toyota can't figure this out for certain on all of them.

Now, 4H for my 4th gen is a different story. As soon as you shift to 4H you can feel a driveline buzz immediately start. The front driveshaft being shortened for this platform vs the 3G I guess is just not happy. Annoying because I wanted to convert to full time 4WD, but with that issue I can't really do so. I've seen too many others say theirs does the exact same for me to bother trying to fix it at the dealer. Not worth my time to be told it's normal anyways. I did delete the ADD in my 3rd gen which made the front driveshaft spin all the time, and it was perfect. I never had a single issue with that setup, and I liked the extra reliability of parts always being ready to work.

 

[TacoKiwi]

Last time something like this happened to me was a splined shaft on a Jeep. Turned out to be dry and had worn the splines so it vibrated. For some reason manufacturers don't want us peons to grease joints, suspension and driveshafts etc. The fix is probably disassemble, add a grease nipple, reassemble and grease every oil change.

 

[JayTech]

Last time something like this happened to me was a splined shaft on a Jeep. Turned out to be dry and had worn the splines so it vibrated. For some reason manufacturers don't want us peons to grease joints, suspension and driveshafts etc. The fix is probably disassemble, add a grease nipple, reassemble and grease every oil change.

The thing is, the joints felt fine. Nothing felt like it was too tight or binding. And one of the failed ones was a brand new truck so grease shouldn’t have been dry.

 

[shackley]

I work at a Toyota dealer and have been seeing many complaints about a driveline vibration at speeds below 50mph and no one has been able to fix them with the dealers most people have been going to being of no help. It seems most would either say it is normal or try to balance tires with most vehicles vibrations not being fixed.

We had a couple arrive with this issue at our dealer starting with a brand new Trailhunter to be sold on our lot so we started by balancing the tires, swapping the rims and tires with another truck with known good wheels/tires, and then tried removing the shaft and test driving it in 4 High. We found the vibration went away with the rear shaft removed so we have isolated the problem to being the driveshaft. We then tried the same thing, removing the shaft and driving in 4 high on the other trucks and it has solved the vibration for all of them. So far all cases of the vibration problem we have experienced have been Tacomas with the 2 piece rear driveshafts(6ft bed), so there definitely appears to be an issue with the rear driveshafts. Replacing the shafts with new units has solved the vibration concerns in all of the Tacomas we have had in for this problem.

This may also apply to some people experiencing the same vibration in the 5ft bed Tacomas with a single piece shaft but we have not had any in with this concern yet to verify if that is the case or not. One of these trucks the rear shaft pushed the rear end out of alignment so this may also be why some people are seeing the rear end out of spec while also experiencing a slight vibration.

Hopefully Toyota addresses this concern soon and hopefully this will help some of you experiencing this issue and pointing out this being a known issue to the dealers if they try to tell you "this is normal", as this is definitely NOT normal.

I have a 2026 TH, and no problem yet.

 

[395North]

2025 PreRunner. Smooth as glass.

 

[Sancheesy]

My 24 OR is smooth as silk but my 2014 was vibrating too much for my liking, especially after i put new shoes on it. Turns out 1500. later it was my driveshaft or rather the ujoint that is all one unit. I'm not sure if they're the same as the 2nd/3rd gens but of the u joint seizes it's no beano.

 

[YourOnlineHero]

Without diving into all of the details (for legal reasons), my 2024 TRD PRO had to have the entire drive shaft replaced due to a manufacturer defect that was discovered by the dealership. It's been a nightmare to say the least.

I will update my post explaining everything I've experienced once I receive an official response from Toyota. I'm unable to dive into the specifics at this time.

 

[EatMyTaco]

I’d be wanting to take it to an Indy shop and have them check over the trans case, bearings, etc for damage due to the vibration causing excess wear.

Toyota is just going to throw a part at it and call it good.

 

[konga056]

With lots of dealers trying to say this is normal what would happen if you continue to drive without getting this resolved?

 

[EatMyTaco]

With lots of dealers trying to say this is normal what would happen if you continue to drive without getting this resolved?

You’re going to increase wear on the bearings at the trans and the pumpkin where the shaft connects, etc.

Potentially the trans housing.



if Toyota won’t fix it. Would be worth paying to have a driveshaft cut for you on your own $.
Nothing good ever comes from vibrating things that aren’t supposed to vibrate, especially heavy steel. Vibration = stress.

 

[redlimitediforcemax]

I've had a vibration at about 60mph that stops after 65mph. Tires rebalanced and replaced made some differences. It's not as bad now that i've got more miles on the new tires but I can still feel the vibration. Mine is full time 4wd so I always thought maybe one of the driveshafts were out of balance. Haven't had a chance to get it checked out yet.

 

[JayTech]

I’d be wanting to take it to an Indy shop and have them check over the trans case, bearings, etc for damage due to the vibration causing excess wear.

Toyota is just going to throw a part at it and call it good.

If it has been vibrating for a very long time, yes damage to the transfer case, rear carrier, etc might be a cause for concern but the vibration would have to be extremely violent for it to cause damage on anything new or low mileage. Output seals and pinion seals would be the first sign there might be more damage as they'd be the first thing to fail.

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