5-10 yo Tundra - low speed vibration (5-20mph)

[masraum]

Folks, I borrowed my son-in-law's Tundra SR5 today to move some stuff. He's got it paid off, so I'm assuming it's 6-8 years old.

It's got a really annoying low speed vibration that I first notice at about 5mph. It seem to be speed dependent and is there during accel and decel. It doesn't really seem to be too affected by gear or acceleration. You feel it at a steady 10mph or while accelerating through it.

It's 2WD and is completely stock, I'm fairly certain. It's also got a drone in the 1500-2000rpm range which is obnoxious, but not as much as the vibration. Do these things have a carrier bearing or something like that that would go out and cause this sort of vibration?

He bought this thing when new. It's very smooth at highway speeds and seems to run really well other than this vibration. I can't help but thing that you guys might have a good idea what the vibration is. I'd like to be able to tell him "that vibration is probably X, if you have Y done to fix it, it'll go away."

What says the PPBT?

[craigster59]

I had a Tacoma that was very susceptible to warped rotors, I mean real bad. Toyota was known for it at the time, a bit of low speed vibration and shuddering during braking.

[Bob Kontak]

Any lifting done to the truck? I see carrier bearing drop kits that are supposed to help this.

I would focus on drive shaft.

[Crowbob]

Yes. Rear diff carrier bearing failure in progress. Known problem in Tacoma’s and FJ Cruisers. Rumor is Toyota got a some batches of bad carrier bearings made of inferior steel. Might have affected Tundras.

Worth it to lift the truck and check with a stethoscope.

Early fix saves damage to gears and housing.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I had a Tacoma that was very susceptible to warped rotors, I mean real bad. Toyota was known for it at the time, a bit of low speed vibration and shuddering during braking.

Happens whether braking or not.

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Any lifting done to the truck? I see carrier bearing drop kits that are supposed to help this.

I would focus on drive shaft.

Not lifted as far as I know. Pretty sure not.

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Yes. Rear diff carrier bearing failure in progress. Known problem in Tacoma’s and FJ Cruisers. Rumor is Toyota got a some batches of bad carrier bearings made of inferior steel. Might have affected Tundras.

Worth it to lift the truck and check with a stethoscope.

Early fix saves damage to gears and housing.

OK, I'll let him know.

[masraum]

Anyone know how easy it would be for someone who can do mechanical things, but doesn't have much experience to replace? And what would you expect to pay to have it done?

[Crowbob]

Carrier bearing? Mine was shredded really bad. I bit the bullet and paid somebody way too much because I could. $1,700- real Toyota parts, labor, warranty, done.

Not a difficult job, I hear.

[Bugsinrugs]

On my tacoma a new driveshaft and carrier bearing came in one unit. Easy to replace.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Carrier bearing? Mine was shredded really bad. I bit the bullet and paid somebody way too much because I could. $1,700- real Toyota parts, labor, warranty, done.

Not a difficult job, I hear.

Could you tell it was bad?

Could you move the driveshaft by hand and notice slop?

[Crowbob]

It sounded like road noise (tires) but kept getting louder and worser. I told the shop what I thought it was, they dx’d it, R&R’d it. Then afterwards it leaked. Good since.

I never investigated it on my own. If the shaft wiggles side-to-side it’s really bad and the gears are prolly whacked.

I am too old, too tired and too feeble to mess with some stuff. That list of stuff gets bigger every year.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

If the shaft wiggles side-to-side it’s really bad and the gears are prolly whacked.

Reason I ask is that I was fooled by an F150 driveshaft that had no slop in the U-joints but one of them was the cause of the vibration at higher speeds.

[fireant911]

Just recently I had similar behavior in my purchased-as-new 2006 Toyota Tacoma. I researched this issue and many fingers pointed at the universal joints and carrier bearing as the possible culprits. I pulled the driveshaft (mark SURE that you clearly mark the factory alignment! - fingernail polish works great) and replaced three universal joints and the carrier bearing. No more vibration and it drove like new! Even if only one part is bad, go ahead and replace all of these since the driveshaft has to be out anyway.

Spicer is the factory supplier for the universal joints and carrier bearings for the era of my Toyota Tacoma - I purchased mine from Rock Auto and the carrier bearing even had the Toyota logo on it (MUCH cheaper from Rock Auto rather than the Toyota dealership for the same part!!!). I also replaced the universal joints with greaseable units as my Tacoma came with non-greaseable from the factory.

This fixed my issue. There are lots of youtube videos out there detailing the process for both Tacomas and Tundras so it may be worth a look to see if this may be your issue.

[Seahawk]

Interesting thread. I have a 2015 4x4 TRD Tundra with no issues to date but I always perk up when threads related to cars I own are posted.

Quick search:

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffsb&q=carrier+bearing+in+tundra&atb=v72-1&ia=web

https://www.tundrasolutions.com/threads/carrier-bearing-bushing-going-bad.118580/

I'd have your son-in-law join one of the TT forums and inquire. They seem reasonable after spending a few minutes searching.

How many miles, btw, on his truck? Last service on the diff and universal joints lubed, etc.

Thanks!

[vash]

mine had it. changed the carrier bearing to no affect.

i lubed my driveshaft. hit the zerks at the u-joints and that did it..i think. it went away. but i did a few things. i unshimmed my carrier bearing, etc. removed a front diff drop modifications. but i suspect it was the lube. cheap attempt never the less.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Reason I ask is that I was fooled by an F150 driveshaft that had no slop in the U-joints but one of them was the cause of the vibration at higher speeds.

My F150 driveshaft developed a clunk, turned out that the splines require cleaning and re-greasing periodically or they get sticky.
Paid to have it done once at the dealer ($250), did it myself a couple years later. Took about a half hour and $12 of materials.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

My F150 driveshaft developed a clunk, turned out that the splines require cleaning and re-greasing periodically or they get sticky.
Paid to have it done once at the dealer ($250), did it myself a couple years later. Took about a half hour and $12 of materials.

Good info. I know something was not moving like it should and was transmitting the vibration.

Another shop put the U-joints in after I threw in the towel. They may have cleaned and greased the splines.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Good info. I know something was not moving like it should and was transmitting the vibration.

Another shop put the U-joints in after I threw in the towel. They may have cleaned and greased the splines.

On mine, it only clunked when getting on or off the gas. The slip-yoke spline would stick and then let go when the suspension height changed from weight distribution. Dealer said it was a common issue.
During smooth cruising it was quiet.
If you have a two-piece driveshaft, misalignment on the center bearing can cause vibration.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fireant911

Just recently I had similar behavior in my purchased-as-new 2006 Toyota Tacoma. I researched this issue and many fingers pointed at the universal joints and carrier bearing as the possible culprits. I pulled the driveshaft (mark SURE that you clearly mark the factory alignment! - fingernail polish works great) and replaced three universal joints and the carrier bearing. No more vibration and it drove like new! Even if only one part is bad, go ahead and replace all of these since the driveshaft has to be out anyway.

Spicer is the factory supplier for the universal joints and carrier bearings for the era of my Toyota Tacoma - I purchased mine from Rock Auto and the carrier bearing even had the Toyota logo on it (MUCH cheaper from Rock Auto rather than the Toyota dealership for the same part!!!). I also replaced the universal joints with greaseable units as my Tacoma came with non-greaseable from the factory.

This fixed my issue. There are lots of youtube videos out there detailing the process for both Tacomas and Tundras so it may be worth a look to see if this may be your issue.

Turns out the Tundra in question is a 2007. I believe his best bet is the center support bearing (if you search on an auto-part site, that's what they call it, vs carrier bearing which is what I've always called it, but parts stores say the carrier bearing is in the rear end). I'll see if I'm going to see them soon, and take something so I can roll under the truck and check it out.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

How many miles, btw, on his truck?

I neglected to notice when I was driving it, but it's a 2007, so probably a bunch.

Last service on the diff and universal joints lubed, etc.

Probably never.

[wdfifteen]

What kind of tires are on it? How old, condition?