I have been trying all sorts of things lately to remedy what I felt was a driveline vibration. My tundra is at approximatly 128k miles and has wobbled off a set of Terra Grapplers which I was running at way too high 45-50 psi (e-rated with bad outboard wear patterns). I purchased a carrier bearing drop kit. This smoothed out my take-off vibration a little. I lowered my air pressure to "door panel" recommendations and eye-balled them even lower until I saw the very edges of my new DuraTracs contact the floor of my garage. That actually helped more. I replaced all of my lugs (and a few studs in the process) with ET-Ultra shank lugs (By the way summit racing's website overnighted my lugs for free super quick - I just happen to live close). I am not sure if that helped at all.
Here is what I was feeling:
-Tire rotational vibration seemed to like to resonate exactly at 68-70 miles per hour.
-Steering wheel wobbled back and forth 2-3 degrees at freeway speed.
-Initial depression of brakes created vibrations through the brake pedal and steering wheel.
-Braking on exit ramps and through mild curves = vibration and "wub-wub-wub" noises.
Inspection of rotors. No signs of any trauma. They seamed uniformly worn.
Road-forced on with lug-centric adapter. Check!
Ball joints, rod ends, etc... no play.
Monday:
Mr. OCD here lifts up the front end to take another look at the brakes and rotors. What's this? Inner CV boot exploded and grease all over the place.
I should have done this job myself because I got raped on the parts (internet has CV kits for $70 each)... Local shop pounded out the job in under two hours.
I was totally ready to drive down the street and feel the same vibration, because I have gotten accustomed to being disappointed by my hair-brained intuitions about mechanical problems being incorrect.
Smooth as silk. WTF.
I don't think I have smiled so big since I drove my truck off the lot or when I crossed the Mojave River in Afton Canyon the first time in 4wd.
Though it is difficult to diagnose a CV failure as a layman, I just want to write this experience up incase someone is ignoring the signs of trauma for too long. I have had my truck since August of 2002, and the CVs have been through a lot. To me, it was a worthwhile investment and I hope I keep driving my Tundra until the next time the CVs fail. No brake vibration under light or curving braking. The CVs must have been slowly binding up over time. Don't ignore these signs!
EDIT:
:sad3d:
I got on the freeway today and the vibration was there again sixty-five to seventy. More pronounced than before. I am getting really irritated with this. In the defense of the cv replacement, the front end is much more smooth, grippy, and articulates better under steering. The brake vibration has smoothed out below forty-five mph. Around town the experience was pleasing. Highway? It is like the truck is punishing me for going the speed limit. If I cruise with traffic I am rewarded with an irritating vibration. If I punch it past seventy-five... smooths out. Braking though the speed ranges of the vibration result in brake pedal vibration. I may have more going on here than I originally expected. I found a local drive line shop in Rancho Cordova to hopefully diagnose the vibration tomorrow.
Has anyone replaced the two piece driveshaft with a one-piece with any vibration elimination success?
Anyone solved this with a bearing repair in the front differential?
Perhaps the carrier bearing for the rear drive shaft?
I swear on something important, I will keep this updated and will post when and how I get this bleeping thing fixed. I have searched around for a write-up on the solution to this issue and everyone conveniently fails to post if they have succeeded... Perhaps nobody has....
