2001 4WD feels like a flat tire but its not, happens after about 10 highway miles

[MVP]

Okay guys, I am stumped with this problem that keeps happening when I take the runner out on the freeway. I've done a lot of researching and have a few things that it could be, but nothing certain.

Here is what happens:

I can drive around town and short distance, without a problem.

When I get on the freeway and drive the speed limit (65 MPH) for 10-12 minutes, I start to get a shake/rumble that starts as a slight vibration and progressively get worse over the next mile. It feels like I have a flat tire, but when I pull over and check all tires, there are no problems there. :suspicious:

I get back on the road within 2-3 minutes of pulling over and everything is fine, like nothing happened, until about 10 minutes later when the same shake/vibration acts up and I again pull over, stop for about 5-10 seconds, then get right back on the road and the cycle repeats. :dizzy:

I suspected a tire problem, so I changed all four wheels and tires out with another set that I know to drive fine, and the same problem occurs. I've read that a sticky or stuck brake caliper can cause the issue, but what throws me off is that when I stop and wait a few seconds, it clears up and the cycle begins again. Literally I stopped at the stop sign at the bottom of the off ramp, continued, and no wobble/vibration until another 10 miles or so. :wtf:

I recently had the front and rear diffs upgraded to 4.88's (about 900 miles ago). Could this have anything to do with it? I guess it might, but unlikely is my opinion.

Since it is 100 degrees here for the next 2-3 months and no garage or shade to work on the rig, I thought I'd ask you guys what this could be, and if anyone has had this problem in the past. My next step (when its cooler) is to pull the calipers, soak the pistons in penetrating oil, and see if that clears it up.

I need some opinions and input here guys. Help!

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I want to say it seems like front bearings. I had dealt with this similar issue for about a month. Then I replaced my bearings and Upper and lower ball joints issue resolved. I had noise with mine though would be the difference.

 

[MVP]

SSR -

Thanks for the reply. A few months back, around 6-7 months I guess, I checked them when I was putting a lift on the runner. Not loose and all was fine from what we could tell.

Looks like it is time again to get under the truck so I can tug and pull and see if an old bearing might be the problem... no noises coming from the wheel from what I can tell.

Darrel

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Have you ever had and rear axle seal leak? Do you feel it in the steering wheel? Maybe the rear brake shoes are swelling. Either that or it could be a harmonic imbalance that takes a certain speed to appear then once it gets loose shakes until speed is decreased. If you do feel it in the steering wheel, I would look at the ball joints, tie rods, and all the bushings (steering rack, UCA, LCA)

 

[gamefreakgc]

If you had a front or rear brake dragging you would smell the scent of burnt brakes. If that's not the case, it's not your brakes.

You can do a search for something like "vibration at highway speed" or "steering wheel shakes" stuff like that and it'll turn up a ton of stuff. Unless your vehicle wants to pull to one side? You could remove the rear drums and inspect the rear brakes, you might have a rear axle seal leak and it's all gummed up and not working at all. Anyway, here's the usual suspects for any sort of drivablility issues at highway speeds.

1. Ball joints, lower and upper. Lower's have a history or going bad so if you're on your original ones, might be good to swap them out anyway.

2. Tie rods, inner and outer. Jack up one of the tires and grab it with two hands at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Try and twist if from side to side, if it wiggles your tie rods are shot. If it wiggles at 6 and 12 o'clock, it's your ball joints.

3. Driveshaft. Some have had their driveshafts warp and had to have them rebalanced. I've not experienced this one so not sure if it is more like a wobble or vibration.

 

[MVP]

No it doesn't pull to either side. Just starts with a slight vibration I can see in the mirror, then feel in the steering wheel ten seconds later. I've had a driveshaft go bad and its different symptoms. Since I had diff work done about 1000 miles ago I better add rear brake and axle inspection to my list.

 

[gamefreakgc]

No it doesn't pull to either side. Just starts with a slight vibration I can see in the mirror, then feel in the steering wheel ten seconds later. I've had a driveshaft go bad and its different symptoms. Since I had diff work done about 1000 miles ago I better add rear brake and axle inspection to my list.

If you feel it in the steering wheel you can pretty much rule it down to the front end, the rear end won't make the wheel wobble. I'd start there with the steering components, although I don't think the front diff would have anything to do with this one.

Also, if you have any kind of lift you will go through tie rods and ball joints faster than a stock 4Runner. Puts more stress on the parts. With your 3" lift it's almost a sure thing it's a steering component.

 

[JBurt]

Would you feel a warped drive shady in the steering wheel

 

[fourwd1]

Does this only occur around 65mph?
Did this start when you installed your lift?

 

[MVP]

If you feel it in the steering wheel you can pretty much rule it down to the front end, the rear end won't make the wheel wobble. I'd start there with the steering components, although I don't think the front diff would have anything to do with this one.

Also, if you have any kind of lift you will go through tie rods and ball joints faster than a stock 4Runner. Puts more stress on the parts. With your 3" lift it's almost a sure thing it's a steering component.

It is not so much concentrated on the steering wheel, but the entire truck starts to shake and continues to shake/wobble like a blown out tire until I am completely stopped. Once stopped I can immediately drive again and am good for another 10 minutes until the process repeats.

Several years ago on my Toyota pickup I had a tire blow out and this feels almost exactly the same, without the big pop sound and tug to the right (which happened when the front right blew out).

Also when I lifted it late last year, I checked the ball joints and bearings, and they were okay. Had to replace a tie rod end because the alignment tech broke one taking it off...

 

[MVP]

Would you feel a warped drive shady in the steering wheel

I think you are asking if I would feel a warped drive shaft in the steering wheel? Not that I have experienced.

My past experience with drive shafts is that they create a hum or vibration at a predictable MPH range (in my kid's '97, it was 55 mph - 70 mph where it would become noticeable). In my problem here, when it happens, it is from whatever speed I am travelling when it begins until I reach a complete stop.

It also does not seem to be triggered just by s specific speed, but by a duration of time at that speed...

 

[MVP]

Does this only occur around 65mph?
Did this start when you installed your lift?

When I first noticed it, it was after 10 minutes of driving at around 70 MPH. My next couple of times I stuck to the speed limit and it happened at 65 MPH.

If I could find a safe place to drive it at 50 MPH for 10 minutes straight I would, but Arizona drivers will nearly run me over at 65 MPH so 50 will be hard to test.

I've had the lift in place for nearly 9 months now, and no problems prior to a few weeks back when this started.