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Vibration when accelerating from a stop

53K views 26 replies 17 participants last post by  5 Speed  
#1 ·
I get a vibration/bounce when I accelerate a little harder from a stop. I also git a vibration/bounce when I hit about 45mph.

I took it to a shop and they said the tires are choppy. I am not sure this explains the issue when I am accelerating though. Any ideas? I have about 150,000 miles on the truck.
 
#6 ·
When I bought my truck, I thought the same thing the following day after I took her home. So I took back to the dealer and had a tech ride with me, infact he drove. I got him to duplicate the vibration. The tech told me that since the truck is geared so low, that when you accelerate the gear is so big and the power creates a small vibration, and I told him about the same thing while driving down the road, and said the same thing.

Not saying that I always believe what they tell us, but it makes a small amount of sence, and around that 45 mph our trucks will shift into the highest gear we got, and can see that as that is just truning/spining the wheels that it can create a small vibration until the truck spins faster. If I had to bet you feel the vibration from 0-12/15 mph or so then again ...IF.. you are not accelerating harder when your truck nicely pops into high gear around 45 and will be present until you go a little faster??

Not saying tires can't be a concern as well.... I would make sure that they are inflated properly, check all your drive train fluids for color and smell and replace accordingly.
 
#7 ·
Slack in the throttle cable means that when you accelerate a bit harder from a stop, the truck will want to stay in a higher gear like second instead of first like what carlsenga says, but he has a 5 speed, and we are stuck with only 4. Somehow adjusting the cable helped eliminate it when accelerating because the truck would stay in first longer and not vibrate, but at about 40-45mph it would still create the same vibration.
 
#8 ·
I get a vibration/bounce when I accelerate a little harder from a stop. I also git a vibration/bounce when I hit about 45mph.

I took it to a shop and they said the tires are choppy. I am not sure this explains the issue when I am accelerating though. Any ideas? I have about 150,000 miles on the truck.

When I brought my truck home I noticed that the next day I had her home. So I took it back to the dealership and went on a ride with a tech and he drove, got the same small vibration duplicted that I was questioning. The tech told me that since these trucks are geared so low and the power of the trucks when we take off creates a small vibration. It also at higher speeds where the gears are under a small load.

If I were to guess you experience the vibration from 0-12/15 mph or so and goes away, then comes back around 45mph, which is when our trucks hit high gear, and goes away the faster you go. That is exactly what I experience from time to time depending on how I accelerate.

I was assured from the tech that has our truck that it was fine.

Not that your tires couldn't be producing this vibration if it is constant, and feel it when decelerating.

To feel comfortable I would check all your drivedrive train fluids for color and smell and replace anything need it. Another idea is that it might be your drive shaft. Grease it up, and check the u-joints while you are down there, they can cause a vibration.

Let us know what you find out.
 
#9 ·
When I lowered the rear of my 02 access cab 4wd the vibration at acceleration was very noticable, esp when pulling our boat. Changing the spring mount rotated the differential enough that it caused u-joint binding. Shimmed the springs with a wedge, 2 or 3 degrees if I recall, this aligned the diff and drive shaft - vibration gone. Could be you have a u-joint going south and/or a drive shaft alignment issue.

I sold that truck awhile back and picked up a 'gently used' 06 DC 4wd. Don't notice anything with it but haven't hooked her up to the boat yet either. Still running stock suspension on this one - looking to lower the rear, install a rear sway bar, and add a set of Bilstein HDs (same setup as the last truck) - curious if the same issues will reappear.:ballchain:
 
#10 ·
I will do some inspecting this weekend with the suggestions made in mind. If I can not find anything I will be dropping it off at the Toyota dealer on Sunday. I will try and post my results either way.

I hate to have to take it to the dealer as they are 45min away and are more expensive then the local shops. They have access to more resources though and more experience with these trucks. I hope it is nothing major as I am picky as all heck and need to get it fixed!
 
#11 ·
I have a 06 tundra dc that has always vibrated when you hit it kind of hard from a stop.The more weight in it the more i notice it.Now if i put it in 4 wheel high and do the same thing it will not vibr.ate at all.I think it has to do with the split drive shaft specialy the sloppy carrier bearing.My truck has 46k on it.
 
#12 ·
I checked the carrier bearing bolts and they were fine. I also have a violent shudder at times when slowing down from 50mph +. It is pretty violent when braking but can also be felt to a lesser degree when just letting off the gas. It is not the brakes, it can be felt from the rear.

Truck is at the Toyota Dealer. Hopefully they can find it and it is not expensive.
 
#14 ·
before you take it to dealer, have you change your fuel filter, pcv valve and spark plugs (make sure they are gapped per spec.) lately and try tire rotation too.
Truck is at the dealer already. I just changed the fuel filter. I strongly believe against this being a fuel issue. Thanks for the suggestions though.
 
#15 ·
A vibration under acceleration is usually in the driveline. Have the u-joints, slip yoke, carrier bearing, and pinion angle checked. Also, make sure that the drive shaft hasn't thrown any balance weights.

When was the last time the rear differential was serviced?

Whatever you do, disregard the advice to "adjust the throttle body cable". That guy is posting that up all over the forum as a cure for everything. Not only is it not indicated for this issue, it is something that the home DIYer is not set up to properly adjust.
 
#16 ·
A vibration under acceleration is usually in the driveline. Have the u-joints, slip yoke, carrier bearing, and pinion angle checked. Also, make sure that the drive shaft hasn't thrown any balance weights.

When was the last time the rear differential was serviced?

Whatever you do, disregard the advice to "adjust the throttle body cable". That guy is posting that up all over the forum as a cure for everything. Not only is not indicated for this issue, it is something that the home DIYer is not set up to properly adjust.

Yeah, I had a similar problem with vibration from the rear at higher speeds and it was the u-joints.

Good luck!
 
#17 ·
A vibration under acceleration is usually in the driveline. Have the u-joints, slip yoke, carrier bearing, and pinion angle checked. Also, make sure that the drive shaft hasn't thrown any balance weights.

When was the last time the rear differential was serviced?

Whatever you do, disregard the advice to "adjust the throttle body cable". That guy is posting that up all over the forum as a cure for everything. Not only is not indicated for this issue, it is something that the home DIYer is not set up to properly adjust.

I have only had the truck for about 6 months, so I am not sure how long it has been since the rear differential was serviced. She has about 150,000 on her right now. I figure with the symptoms I am having, I will let the professionals have at this one.
 
#19 ·
I had the same exact vibration you are experiencing at 45 miles per hour. Im not sure if you have gotten the problem looked at or fixed since yesterday, but it was my rear u-joint. The u joint didn't have the bang or clunk like alot of bad u joints end up doing. The u joint was starting to wear down and even though it was greased it still created the vibration. I had gone to two toyota dealers before one tech took enough time to get it off the highway and get it down to 45. I could literally lock in the vibration while staying on the pedal exactly at 45. Once i let off the pedal the vibrating rythmic sound would go away two seconds later. Hope this helps. Also listen to Remmy. That idea of adjusting slack in the throttle cable could only create more problems if you adjust it to far and it could creating higher rpm's and other problems. Good luck with everything.
 
#20 ·
Dealer inspected. Tires are causing vibration at speed. Rotors are warped (just had them turned). buglao, you win as a recommendation was made for plugs due to the vibration at take off. Looked through history and found no record of plugs being changed. 10 years old with 150,000 on them, yep it is time.

I will be taking care of the plugs and rotors. Will probably have tires replaced next week and will see what happens. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
 
#21 ·
I just wanted to post my fix to an issue exactly like the one explained. I was having vibration in the floor boards of truck between 35 and 45 miles and hour. Checked u joints drive shaft and tires. Finally figured out after a week the check engine light came on flashing. Misfire in coil 1, changed plugs and moved the coil pack and runs like a new rig again. Figured I'd post because I looked forever to find a fix.
 
#23 ·
Im having the same issues on my 2005 Tundra. It only has 67k miles and just started with the vibration. It's been more and more noticeable over the last few weeks. There has been a weird intermittent squeaking sound from the rear hub or the driveshaft when backing up and low acceleration. Then, the vibration started kicking in. Low in pitch, slight around 10-15 and a bit of a shudder around 35 mph. The cup holder rattles and you can feel it in the steering wheel. Then, calms down around 40, back up around 50 and when at 60, WOW! vibration is fast so not noticeable but its like someone playing a long low note from a tuba in the cab. Really starting to worry me. We can't afford expensive repairs so this helps knowing I'm not the only one. I have a guy that can help with tightening bolts. I'm not a novice when it comes to repairs, but since moving to an apartment from my house, hard to make these on my own. Thanks for the post and the subsequent responses!
 
#25 ·
Thanks!
I called my Dad and gave him the same run down. He sad, and I quote... "mmm, hmm..mmmhmm mmhmm.. U joints." LOL! I thought it was coming from the driveshaft but I had never replaced the U joints before in any of my vehicles, so the problem was new for me. Thanks for the advice! I went to the local parts store and bought a replacement for around $15.00, watched a YouTube video on "how too" and will tackle it this afternoon. Looks easy enough and already have pretty much all the right tools... except for that fancy C-clamp U Joint tool.... sockets and hammers it is!

Thanks again!!
 
#26 ·
My understanding is U-joints are not easy to replace. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
#27 ·
Before you start replacing U-joints I would get yourself a set of jack stands and get your rear wheels off the ground and spin the driveline. Put it into gear and watch and listen. I went so far as to replace my rear wheel bearings which I thought were failing and it was my driveline carrier bearing that needed replacement. Once I put it on a jack stand it was easy to see and hear the failing part. The u-joints that I have replaced over the years on my smaller toyota trucks have always made sounds when they start failing and not vibrations. If it is a u-joint failing be sure to index your driveline so then you put it back on it is orientated the same and you won't get new driveline vibrations