2001 Vibration Problem

sprinter9 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 08:20 PM

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Here is my situation with my 2001 4x4 TRD. Got excessive vibration, especially during breaking. We did all the normal stuff like rebalance the tires. Everytime something is done, it helps for a while but then it comes back. Here is a history.
At about 25-26,000, is when I started noticing the vibration.
At 30,000, new pads and rotors turned. Helped for a while.
At 32,000, returned my money to me for the first brake job and both front and back TSB's done. Again only turned front rotors, replaced back drums. Helped again for a while.
At 35,000, new front rotors, should have been done with the TSB but wasn't. Lasted maybe 200 miles and then it was back.
Just today at 35,700, replace the back drums again. Writeup says excessive lateral run out on the new drums. They only had 3000 miles on them. I think there is more to it than just the brake parts. Again, thanks for any help to keep this from being a reoccuring night mare.

mikeinaustin · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 11:06 PM

from another post on another thread:

"Well, the dealer had my truck from Monday through Friday last week. I spoke with the tech who was working on my truck and he said that he put two sets of new rotors and drums and still had the vibration. They called Toyota Corp. who advised that most of the continuing problems were associated with axle runout issues. They discovered that my left rear axle had excessive runout over specs so they ordered and replaced the left rear axle. Additionally, I got new rear bearings and brake pads for all tires.

The tech explained that if the axle has excessive runout then the hub will rotate out of round causing the rotors and/or drums to warp because the brake pads will grab unevenly. I'm no car expert but it makes sense to me.

Anyway, it seems to have worked at least for now. It is smooth as silk. This may be an answer for those of us that have continuing brake vibs after the TSBs are done. If this doesn't last, I will have to go for the "L" law to get a new truck."

NOTE: others have speculated that the front differential on 4x4's is the problem.

sprinter9 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2003, 06:23 AM

Thank you so much. I also had a seat rattle and they ordered parts for that so when I take it back to get them installed, I will mention that to them and see if they also checked those out. If anything changes, I will post them. Thanks again.