New 4runner adde to the family. Cyclic/Harmonic Vibration 71MPH+

[wyanrard]

Okay , this may sound stupid, but it's what finally fixed my vibration problem, I had the same exact symptoms , and changed CV axles also, with no luck. Want to guess what it was?? It was a bad set of tires / one of them / maybe all of them, were balanced at least 3 times, and it never went away. Had 2 sets of tires since those bad tires i had, no problem whatsoever, drives like a dream.

Just my 2 cents and what solved my problems!!!

 

[wyanrard]

Also check out my build thread, it's got a picture of my CV angles, and I've not having any vibration problems at all.

 

[yotav8]

Well boys, its back!! :ybrick::ybrick::ybrick::ybrick::frusty::frusty::frusty::gun4::gun4::uzi::uzi::cry2:

So yesterday was the first time since last week I got it on the highway for more than a couple miles. Within 5 minutes on the highway the vibration started coming back, Occurs at 45-55, and 70+. It seriously seems like it takes a couple minutes, like grease is escaping somewhere before it starts.

I'm at a loss of ideas here, I must have looked something over. When I was changing the axles last week, I just remembered that the right front bearing didn't have a new seal and the grease was black dirty, and it struck me as odd since theres a new seal and new grease on the front left bearing, AND theres a service invoice saying both bearings were done in January. (Couldn't replace that seal last weekend everybody was closed when I was finishing the job)

Did some asswipe at Big'O seriously only replace the front left and not the front right... or did he replace both bearings and fu**ed up the new seal and put the old one back in the front right. Either way I'm out of ideas, and I can't afford to throw anymore money at parts. I've taken it to 3 shops, 2 said either the cv's/ cv angles in combo with the lift, one shop said maybe the wheel bearings still. But this was all said assuming the wheel bearings were changed via that invoice, so who knows if they also automatically ruled it out.

So, lemme hear your thoughts.

Im sorry to hear that it wasnt the CV's, I have been having the same issue 55-60 71-76mph. The only difference that I can find in my symptoms is there is no real vibration, just a harmonic pulsing like an airliner cruising at speed which goes away if shift into neutral or get off the gas.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Im sorry to hear that it wasnt the CV's, I have been having the same issue 55-60 71-76mph. The only difference that I can find in my symptoms is there is no real vibration, just a harmonic pulsing like an airliner cruising at speed which goes away if shift into neutral or get off the gas.

This one here really REALLY sounds like the tires. Slight differences in tire pressure or wear can cause them to turn at slightly different speeds and making the "humming" of the tread go in and out of sync. Also, when you are on the gas, a lot more force is being applied from the tire to the road, making the sound/vibrations more noticeable.

Hard to tell if it is the same for the OP though... All kinds of different tires make all kinds of different hums, roars, vibrations etc. (Especially AT ot MT tires) They also can change a lot from new to half to fully used.

Only way to really tell is do a complete tire swap with someone and see if it goes away.

 

[wyanrard]

This one here really REALLY sounds like the tires. Slight differences in tire pressure or wear can cause them to turn at slightly different speeds and making the "humming" of the tread go in and out of sync. Also, when you are on the gas, a lot more force is being applied from the tire to the road, making the sound/vibrations more noticeable.

Hard to tell if it is the same for the OP though... All kinds of different tires make all kinds of different hums, roars, vibrations etc. (Especially AT ot MT tires) They also can change a lot from new to half to fully used.

Only way to really tell is do a complete tire swap with someone and see if it goes away.

That's what I did with mine, changed to different tires, problem completely went away.

 

[wyanrard]

Where did you even say it went away in neutral?

 

[sho3000cc]

I have the exact same vibration! I've tried balancing, alignments, and tire rotation and the harmonic vibration still persists. I have a stock-no mods, v8 limited 2004 with 54000miles. Gonna take it to the dealership next week to get Screwed !

Good Luck and I'll get back with you.

Sho3000cc

 

[limeyjag]

vibration at 71 mph ...rear diff?

Maybe your problem is not at the front especially as it dissappears under load.

This sounds exactly like the rear diff problem I had with my 5th gen Runner.Toyota eventually replaced the whole rear diff to fix it .

It was an harmonic whine that dissapeared the load was off and I was cruising and started at about 70mph and I could drive through it to about 80 where it went away .Lower speeds were OK

If you take to big Toyata dealer they might have a mechanic who just works on
trannys and he can listen to the diff or transfer cases and rule those out for you.

 

[Proyota]

Diagnosis in process

My wife's 2004 4Runner Sport V8 AWD that is completely stock with no modifications (stock 17" wheels and tire size, stock suspension with no lift kit). It's her daily driver. It has the same harmonic vibration that occurs around 50 - 55mph goes away until it reaches 70-75mph under load. letting off the accelerator and it subsides. It can be felt thru the steering wheel and body of the vehicle. I just installed brand new tires thinking the old ones may have been the source of the harmonic vibration sound but it did not go away. I figured it must be the start of a front wheel bearing starting to go bad since I could feel it it the floor board and steering whee. I then replaced both front wheel hubs & bearings and rechecked the vehicle and found the harmonic vibration is still present. I don't want to keep replacing parts so we had a very reputable Toyota Master technician inspect the vehicle for us and he found that it seems to be engine speed related.

We were able to duplicated the harmonic vibration at the shop I work at. We hoisted the vehicle on a lift and ran it up to 70 mph we had to lock the center differential so we could get all 4 wheels to spin (otherwise traction control kept engaging and inhibiting accelerating the vehicle over 15 to 20mph). Using a stethoscope we listed to both the front & rear differentials for any type of abnormal bearing noise (pinion bearings, etc) none found. We listened to the rear axle bearings and did not hear any abnormal bearing noise. We inspected both front and rear drive lines and u-joints no abnormal wear or play found. We lubed the u-joints and slip joints and rechecked the vehicle for the harmonic vibration and found it's still present.

While the vehicle was still on the hoist we put the transmission into drive and applied the brakes (now none of the wheels, differentials or drive lines are spinning) . We slowly increased the engine to approx. 1000 RPMs and were able to duplicate the harmonic vibration. We were able to feel the vibration thru the steering wheel and body of the vehicle.

As we continued to inspect the vehicle some of our other technicians got involved to assist us. We found the sound seemed to be coming from the exhaust system. As the harmonic vibration was occurring we applied pressure to the exhaust system using a pry bar at various locations. When applied pressure to exhaust system where the two exhaust pipes join at the cross over pipe the harmonic vibration went away. Being underneath the vehicle it sounds like harmonic drone in the exhaust system. It's very weird and we're still working on determining the root cause but will keep updating as we learn more.

On a side note... How do I get rid of the stupid adds below my posts? Frustrating!

 

[tysauce]

My wife's 2004 4Runner Sport V8 AWD that is completely stock with no modifications (stock 17" wheels and tire size, stock suspension with no lift kit). It's her daily driver. It has the same harmonic vibration that occurs around 50 - 55mph goes away until it reaches 70-75mph under load. letting off the accelerator and it subsides. It can be felt thru the steering wheel and body of the vehicle. I just installed brand new tires thinking the old ones may have been the source of the harmonic vibration sound but it did not go away. I figured it must be the start of a front wheel bearing starting to go bad since I could feel it it the floor board and steering whee. I then replaced both front wheel hubs & bearings and rechecked the vehicle and found the harmonic vibration is still present. I don't want to keep replacing parts so we had a very reputable Toyota Master technician inspect the vehicle for us and he found that it seems to be engine speed related.

We were able to duplicated the harmonic vibration at the shop I work at. We hoisted the vehicle on a lift and ran it up to 70 mph we had to lock the center differential so we could get all 4 wheels to spin (otherwise traction control kept engaging and inhibiting accelerating the vehicle over 15 to 20mph). Using a stethoscope we listed to both the front & rear differentials for any type of abnormal bearing noise (pinion bearings, etc) none found. We listened to the rear axle bearings and did not hear any abnormal bearing noise. We inspected both front and rear drive lines and u-joints no abnormal wear or play found. We lubed the u-joints and slip joints and rechecked the vehicle for the harmonic vibration and found it's still present.

While the vehicle was still on the hoist we put the transmission into drive and applied the brakes (now none of the wheels, differentials or drive lines are spinning) . We slowly increased the engine to approx. 1000 RPMs and were able to duplicate the harmonic vibration. We were able to feel the vibration thru the steering wheel and body of the vehicle.

As we continued to inspect the vehicle some of our other technicians got involved to assist us. We found the sound seemed to be coming from the exhaust system. As the harmonic vibration was occurring we applied pressure to the exhaust system using a pry bar at various locations. When applied pressure to exhaust system where the two exhaust pipes join at the cross over pipe the harmonic vibration went away. Being underneath the vehicle it sounds like harmonic drone in the exhaust system. It's very weird and we're still working on determining the root cause but will keep updating as we learn more.

On a side note... How do I get rid of the stupid adds below my posts? Frustrating!

Yes! I am having the exact same issue on a completely stock 2007 V8 with 118,xxx. Please keep us informed of what you find for the root cause. Would love to know.

 

[M1911]

There is a TSB for this for the Lexus GX470. I had an independent mechanic perform the first part of the TSB on my 4Runner -- added a mass damper to the front diff. That helped somewhat. I didn't have the second part of the TSB performed as that looked quite a bit more involved.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151034-inafamous-60-70-mph-moan-vibration.html

 

[tysauce]

[MENTION=6872]M1911[/MENTION]

Is the noise a sign of something wrong/being damaged? Or is it just annoying? If it's just an annoying noise then I can live with it. I just don't want to be worried about it.

 

[M1911]

[MENTION=6872]M1911[/MENTION]

Is the noise a sign of something wrong/being damaged? Or is it just annoying? If it's just an annoying noise then I can live with it. I just don't want to be worried about it.

It is just a harmonic vibration. It started on my '03 within a year or so and I've now got ~ 150k miles on it.

 

[hkollie1]

Recommend trying new tires... Maybe swap out tires and rims for a test drive with another t4r owner. The possibility is to real to ignore, best to eliminate it early.

 

[JEL]

I have it a little as well above 65mph, but only when in 4hi unlocked and heading down the highway. Other than that you hear nothing, I also don't have it in 2hi. I know my tires are not that great, and slightly out of balance so I'll take care of that when I get my new tires soon, but I did a ton of reading online and it seems to be fairly common but not a problem, rather just an annoyance. Mine doesn't shake at all, and if the radio is on you can't even hear it, my girlfriend can't hear it at all as it's really quiet and doesn't alter the way my rig drives, but I may try to investigate the TSB a bit.

I was so paranoid when I noticed it I swapped all the diff and t-case fluids out with good synthetics as I was worried it was low somewhere, but then I got online and read a lot and found it to be a common complaint. I guess mine could be 100% tires, though. Still, I wouldn't mine eliminating it completely since I drive almost exclusively highway and if it's absolutely dumping rain I wouldn't mind having it in 4hi just for a little added security on road.