1999 SR5 Driveline Vibrations

[Northland_Runner]

Hey all,

First off, I'm quite familiar with this forum and have found it very useful in the past many times. I'm finally posting to get a second opinion on a driveline issue I'm stumped on and no amount of searching other threads has given me a great answer.

A vibration/droning has materialized in the past month when I put torque on the drivetrain. When I am on the gas it vibrates and when I'm off it stops. The vibration intensifies and is more apparent at higher speeds 50+. It causes more resistance during acceleration. All the symptoms point to what I think is a bad u-joint. All joints were tight and have been lubed regularly. I went ahead and replaced the rear most u-joint. No luck whatsoever..

Could my double cardan joint be bad with only 90,000 miles and little off roading? If so, can I get parts to rebuild it or will I have to replace the whole driveshaft? I installed my lift 5K miles ago and I know this changed my joint angles but It still seems premature. Any other thoughts? Thanks!

 

[shootmymime]

is the balancing weight on your drive shaft still attached?

 

[Northland_Runner]

Yep. There are 4 weights attached.

 

[Northland_Runner]

Any ideas anyone? I don't think this is a bearing issue due to the vibration/noises only occuring during acceleration. It also does not increace/decreace when turning or shifting gears.

 

[audiness]

you took the driveshaft out and replaced only 1 u-joint? why not replace all 3 while it was out?

 

[Northland_Runner]

The two u-joints in the doble cardan joint are what toyota calls unserviceable, replace driveshaft assy. I know It's possible to rebuild them but the question is can I get the parts? Toyota does not sell them. From what i've read they are different from the rear most u joint. Only reason I diddn't look into replacing those u joints more is because in most cases it is only the rear most u joint that is bad especially if you haven't been running in 4wd all the time. I'm stumped.

 

[nissanh]

I replaced the rear U-joint with an after market product. It still vibrates but not as bad at earlier.
I then bought a used drive line (donor truck had 320 K miles!!) and it had no free-play at any of the U-joints! My truck runs as sooth as it can be.

Just get a good used drive line. Just make sure it comes from the same year range and 4x4 etc.,

 

[00_4runner]

I can say with a decent amount of certainty, that your problem is due to your pinion angles. I had the exact same issue after installing the coilovers, I think the preset is a little too high, if you look at your rear pinion angle you should be able to see the problem. Simplest solution? Just lower the coilovers a little bit and you should be okay. The other option, if you wanna keep your height in the front, would be to correct the pinion angle by extending your rear upper control arms about (don't quote me on this number) 1/4".

Edit: always have an alignment done after any coilover adjustment. Even the slightest adjustment can cause the alignment to be thrown off. Even .25" adjustment of my coilovers caused a noticeable difference while driving, and in alignment numbers.

 

[Ben Tillotson]

I have a similar issue. It gets real noticeable around 70mph. It's like my bass is turned way up sort of a fine/buzzing vibration. My drive shaft and U-joints seem quite solid. There is a very slight amount of up and down play in the front of the shaft near the tans.

 

[curtperry]

I have the exact same problem and also replaced the rear u-joint with no improvement. Right now I suspect the cardan joint or imbalanced/bent shaft. I'll let you know if I figure it out.

 

[MATTSSSV2004]

Im having the exact same issue and i just installed my toytec coilover kit and used my old top plates and im having a vibration come in around 48-50 mph. im going to try my alignment and then not sure. The comment about pinion angles would def be correct thought as well. idk i hope this becomes big enough to get answers.

 

[Northland_Runner]

Update: Last night I took it to a driveline shop that specializes in transmissions, driveshafts, and differentials. They seemed very knowledgeable of the problem and told me they could not rebuild my double cardan joint and that i'm much better off buying an aftermarket or salvaged driveshaft. After driving it around today and investigating they could not pinpoint/repair what was causing the vibration. I picked it up tonight (no charge) and the mechanic and myself agreed that the pinion angle is most likely the culprit.

My pinion angle I found between the rear driveshaft and the differential flange to be appx. 2.5 to 3 deg. and between my driveshaft and my transfer case flange to be 7.5-8 deg. I adjusted my coilcovers quite a bit before I got my alignment after my lift. Maybe I didn't lower them enough?

I would not hesitate ordering up a set of toytec adjustable rear UCAs to correct my pinion angle if I can get some definite confirmation. The reason I am hesitant is the fact that for the first 6,000 miles after my lift install I didn't have any noticeable vibrations and after I replaced the rear u-joint the vibrations did not subside. hmmm what to do next...

(FYI: Attached Pic. before u-joint replacement.)

 

[00_4runner]

^^^ yes! If you want someone with more experience in the matter, aka people who have installed the rear arms, PM dirtco and bigfishallday. I'm sure they can point you in the right direction.

 

[Swede]

Check for slop in the slip joint. If there is any lateral movement there it may be your problem.

 

[1985taylor1925]

If the vibration didnt start consistant with installing the lift, then I dont see how the pinion angle would be the cause. Unless the angle cause a u joint to rapidly wear down. I think its one of the u-joints on the rebuilt axel as you mentioned in your first post. Personally I dont trust rebult parts.

 

[Northland_Runner]

Check for slop in the slip joint. If there is any lateral movement there it may be your problem.

No free play there.

I didn't rebuild my rear axle. I simply replaced the rear most u joint. Nothing more nothing less.

I am fully convinced my pinion angle needs to be corrected for the long haul and potentially my current problem. The whole ordeal still puzzles me but hopefully new toytec rear ucas will fix the problem. I'll let you all know the results. Thanks for the help!

 

[Northland_Runner]

UPDATE: Well we'll start off with the good news.. I recieved my toytec adjustable rear upper control arms and installed them last night. My pinion angle is now dialed in at 0.

Now for the bad news. Test drive proved nothing has changed... My pinion angle and my rear u-joint are happy but acceleration vibrations are still there. Double cardan joint shot? Front drive shaft u-joints bad? Transfer case or differential issue? I'm ready to give up and send it to another shop or the stealership<-(Last resort, but mabye my best bet.) Whatcha all think?

 

[Swede]

Could be your rear pinion bearing and I doubt it's your front driveshaft as it won't be turning in 2wd. When I put in my first lift (Revtek) I had the trim packer spacer in and that caused a noticeable vibration. CV's were angled too much even with the diff drop. I took the spacers out and no more vibration.

 

[martin.1991911]

Just to let everyone know that the double carded u joints can be pulled apart and put back together but the u joint are DIFFRENT than the rear one so if a parts store or anyone trys to tell there the same go somewhere else cause there not trust me on this I learned the hard way and had to pay for my whole shaft to get rebuilt long story short I was not please and m trying to fight with the parts store so they can pay for the repairs due to there improper listings

 

[Ron Helmuth]

I'm curious if the rear axle bearings on one side or both have been checked?

The symptoms you describe are quite similar to what mine were when my passenger side rear axle bearing needed replaced.