More 4th Gen Vibration Stuff

[hre814]

I have both the low rpm vibration (common one) and a cyclic vibration in the steering wheel and through the floor boards and pedal above 70 mph and only under acceleration. I finally convinced the dealership to put on a pair of stock wheels/tires from another 2004 (I have BFG ATs on mine), and the cyclic vibration continued. They tried to pin it on my tires, I had them roadforce balanced and they came out looking great. So I finally proved it was the truck, but...
The dealer called tech support in CA and they had no suggestions, and so they called regional tech support in Cincinnati and they said 'it was normal'!!! So I test drove a 2004 4runner on the lot it had the same cyclic vibration above 70 mph, but it was much less then mine (in fact I had to concentrate on feeling it b/c the baseline vibration at low rpms was sooo bad on this new truck with only 70 miles on it). Anyhow they say they can't do anything about it until Toyota tells them so. They told me to call Cust. relations and they filed a case and told me there is nothing else they can do and that it is between me and the dealer to try and work it out. And that the only thing else I can do it arbitration. I'm now stuck with this problem which started at 10,500 miles! If it was normal it would've been there when I bought it. I have no idea what to do? Any suggestions? I asked for the arbitration paperwork, but Toyota will probably have someone say it is normal for this vehicle. I'm quite disappointed with Toyota, I bought their truck b/c of everything I had heard about with customer service. If they took things apart and tried to replace some parts I would feel much better, but they won't touch a thing. I'm thinking about selling the truck b/c it is really an annoying problem.
Thanks!
Herman

 

[Good Times]

Have you checked your driveshafts to see if it might be out of balance?

Sounds like that might be it. I would suggest taking it into the dealer and having them swap out driveshafts to see if the problem subsides.

It's a longshot but I did experience vibrations from the rear when i dented my driveshaft so it's a shot in the dark.

 

[hre814]

thanks goodtimes for the advice. i couldn't tell you if they are out of balance. the dealership doesn't want to do anything since there is no fix for this unknown, yet they tell me 'common' problem. i can't get them to remove or try anything. it is very frustrating.

herman

 

[Good Times]

bummer that the dealer is unwilling to help you out.

I would hit up another dealer and see what they can do. Since you already determined that it wasn't the tires/wheels you're doing the standard process of elimination (which most people can't even get the dealer to do).

I would push the dealer to check the driveshaft as I believe the lexus gx's had some driveshaft tsb's or something (dunno). check out clublexus.com as they might have something you might be interested in checking.

If the dealer won't help ya and you don't mind getting abit dirty, removing the rear driveshaft only requires 8 bolts (I believe they're all 17mm). Just use a sharpie to mark a spot so you know where to line up the driveshaft. Remove it and take it to any shop that rebuilds driveshaft (ask around) and i'm sure they'll be able to balance the shaft and tell you right away if there are any imperfections on them. If it's just out of balance, it should only be a few bucks to fix as they just need to add a few ounces to balance it out so you can try this alternative if all else fails. Just reinstall it and nobody will know it ever came off.

anyway good luck. Hopefully you'll find a dealer who's manager will understand the issue at hand and help ya out. Try the angle of the "would you want your wife/daugher/son/family member drive this w/ this kind of vibration?" and see if he'll do something for ya. they surely would like your business after so you can always point in that direction too

good luck and i hope i'm leading ya in the right path (?) hopefully this will be the fix for your vibration. if not, i'm stumped! o btw, don't forget there's 2 driveshaft if you're 4wd.