2005 tacoma front vibration

marcusm5anchez · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 05:25 PM

Hi everyone, I just put 4 Bilstein 5100's on my 2005 dc the front is set at 2.5 inches and I did not lift the back. Once I started driving I got a big vibration in the front that gets worse as I accelerate, the wierd thing is when I switch it into 4hi the vibration goes away! I am thinking this is because the right side axle is always spinning?

Any help is greatly appreciated I will take some pics of my cv angle

stevegillings · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 11:26 PM

The good news is: this is a known issue. Read through this thread at TN.
The bad news: no known solution except to take the lift back out, as far as I know.
You are saying the ride side front axle is spinning? I thought both are spinning, no?

Aside from that: I imagine your front is quite a bit higher than the rear now, correct? Do you have pictures?

marcusm5anchez · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 02:34 PM

I will take pictures today, my dad's a pretty good mechanic he's helping me as well, but he goes to work when I get home!, anyways I bought the truck with 28,000 miles it now has 36000 and it had a small vibration in the right side, that would come and go, now with the lift in the front its pretty bad I'm pretty sure this is related, oh and yes the back is at stock height, I'm thinking the right side cv could be bad, tonight Im gonna try making sure everything is tight will post pics tomorrow. I will find a solution! this is driving me nuts but I still love my truck.

stevegillings · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 04:39 PM

Marcus, please don't forget to let me know when you find a solution! Looking forward to the pictures!

I sure hope you'll find what the problem is!

marcusm5anchez · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 03:48 PM

Ok so heres the latest, I am taking my truck to get re-aligned Saturday morning, I doubt that is going to take away the vibration but it's a start since alot of the steering components are now at much different angles. And to top it off the tires are pretty bad.

Paparamos · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 07:40 PM

Hello,

I just put the same adjustable struts on my 2005 truck. They are great, but once installed the camber alignment must be adjusted so the vibration might go away with the alignment.

stevegillings · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 11:47 PM

It sounds to me like this is the same issue as the one discussed in the TN thread I quoted above. If it is, then the alignment won't do anything in terms of this issue. Keep us updated, I hope you get it fixed!

qk94dawg · #8 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 12:27 PM

I had the exact same symptom. Remove the diff drop and you will see a dramatic improvement. I did, ran for a year like that, no ill effects.

marcusm5anchez · #9 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 04:06 PM

Hi guys I go for the alignment tomorrow, Ralph I do not have the diff drop installed, After I get the alignment done I am going to Raise the back, right now the front is significantly higher then the back and I'm thinking this could be related to the vibration also, it gets louder when I brake from speeds over 30 mph I may have a warped rotor as well! lol

mt1961 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 04:42 PM

I've got the vibration, too. Dealer can't find anything wrong, but I think it's the front differential bearing. Especially on the driver's side. Take your wheel off and spin the hub by hand and if it's like mine you will hear the hum sound and feel a washboard vibration. Just waiting for mine to get a little worse to take it back to the dealer. Mine is only lifted with 5100's to the lowest lifted setting which I think is .85".

Rick Bell · #11 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 10:05 AM

I've had the exact problem for 6 months now. Ran vibration free for 10,000km. 7 trips to the dealer and am currently waiting for a new front diff. Hopefully this will resolve the problem.But how long before the diff will need to be changed again??? I'm wishing I never added the lift. Will keep you all posted.

marcusm5anchez · #12 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 04:17 PM

Hey Everyone, I was supposed to get my alignment done Saturday morning but I got extremely drunk Friday night, anyway I am going for sure this Saturday, I think mt1961 is on to something with the Front Differential bearing, hopefully that's not too hard to replace!
I will post again right after I take it in on Saturday again I thank everyone for the help!!!!!!!

Rick Bell · #13 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 01:05 PM

Vibration Fixed. YYIIPPPEE.My Dealer replaced the front diff yesterday and problem solved. Question though did the Lift cause the Diff to go or was the diff defective. Time will tell. The vibration started originally at about 10,000km. For now I love my truck again

marcusm5anchez · #14 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 02:39 PM

Im happy for you Rick, Did the dealer happen to say what was wrong with the diff?, I think My Tacoma may be out of warranty.

stevegillings · #15 (**permalink**) 04-05-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusm5anchez

Hey Everyone, I was supposed to get my alignment done Saturday morning but I got extremely drunk Friday night, anyway I am going for sure this Saturday, I think mt1961 is on to something with the Front Differential bearing, hopefully that's not too hard to replace!
I will post again right after I take it in on Saturday again I thank everyone for the help!!!!!!!

From all the reports I have heard here and on TN, Rick is right: it's the front diff causing the issue. As for not too hard to replace? It's not too hard for the dealer, they'll just have to replace the entire front diff, and it will cost you close to $2,000 if you are out of warranty. Sorry, but that's the only solution to this problem I have ever heard of.
Did you get the alignment done?