New tires and new vibration in 4wd going over 50mph

[atalarico]

Weird thing happened the other day. I just got a new set of 265/75r16 Duratracs a couple weeks ago from Discount. I just engaged my 4wd on the highway the other day and I noticed a weird vibration any time I went over 55mph. It definitely was a new feeling and nothing I have experienced before.

Could it be poorly balanced tires or something? I turn off the 4wd and the vibration goes away. The 4wd was slow to engage when I would hit the button on the shifter, so that was weird too.

I figured I'd check my differential fluid level, but I just filled it up a couple months ago after I put on new CV axles.

Edited to add: I saw someone post a reply "True 4wd is not intended for use on the highway at all, let alone at 55mph. Use on slippery surfaces like dirt, mud, snow, only. You're lucky you didn't break something. Vibration is probably normal, but I wouldn't know, because I'd never drive my truck like that." but then it looks like it got removed. I'm glad your removed your comment because it was super snotty ("...I'd never drive my truck like that"). I'm posting this in the event anyone else types before they read. Let me clarify, I'm talking about 4HI not 4LO. 4HI can be used at highway speeds.

 

[gclark14]

Weird thing happened the other day. I just got a new set of 265/75r16 Duratracs a couple weeks ago from Discount. I just engaged my 4wd on the highway the other day and I noticed a weird vibration any time I went over 55mph. It definitely was a new feeling and nothing I have experienced before.

Could it be poorly balanced tires or something? I turn off the 4wd and the vibration goes away. The 4wd was slow to engage when I would hit the button on the shifter, so that was weird too.

I figured I'd check my differential fluid level, but I just filled it up a couple months ago after I put on new CV axles.

Edited to add: I saw someone post a reply "True 4wd is not intended for use on the highway at all, let alone at 55mph. Use on slippery surfaces like dirt, mud, snow, only. You're lucky you didn't break something. Vibration is probably normal, but I wouldn't know, because I'd never drive my truck like that." but then it looks like it got removed. I'm glad your removed your comment because it was super snotty ("...I'd never drive my truck like that"). I'm posting this in the event anyone else types before they read. Let me clarify, I'm talking about 4HI not 4LO. 4HI can be used at highway speeds.

Uh why did you put it in 4wd on the highway?

 

[atalarico]

Uh why did you put it in 4wd on the highway?

Because the conditions called for it (i.e. we have four seasons out here in Colorado, and I happened to drive from one into another the other day). Why the **** are you guys getting so hung up on something that has nothing to do with my actual question? I've owned this 4runner for 6 years now, and that's the first time this has happened when engaging 4HI via the push-button on the side of the 4wd shifter.

 

[gclark14]

Because the conditions called for it (e.g. we have four seasons out here in Colorado, and I happened to drive from one into another the other day). Why the **** are you guys getting so hung up on something that has nothing to do with my actual question? I've owned this 4runner for 6 years now, and that's the first time this has happened when engaging 4HI via the push-button on the side of the 4wd shifter.

If the conditions call for 4wd on the highway then I don't think going over 55mph is the best idea. But hey not my vehicle. Why should I care right?

 

[atalarico]

If the conditions call for 4wd on the highway then I don't think going over 55mph is the best idea. But hey not my vehicle. Why should I care right?

I'm not going to sit here and defend my winter driving credentials to someone in Alabama. The cutoff for engagement of 4HI is somewhere around 50-60mph, but there has always been an audible beep and a flashing of the 4wd light on the dash indicating that it won't shift. I have shifted into 4HI before without any issues near these speeds, but suddenly after I get new tires there is a new vibration. That is the point of my question.

You can use the search function if you want to read all of us "reckless" 4runner owners who are using our 4HI over 55mph. Here, I'll help you...http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/106613-what-kind-damage-going-over-50mph-4wd.html

So, anyway, does anyone have anything meaningful to add or shall we just continue being shitty and judgmental to other experienced owners?

 

[gclark14]

The cutoff for engagement of 4HI is somewhere around there, but there has always been an audible beep and a flashing of the 4wd light on the dash indicating that it won't shift. I have shifted into 4HI before without any issues near these speeds, but suddenly after I get new tires there is a vibration.



You can use the search function if you want to read all of us "reckless" 4runner owners who are using our 4HI over 55mph. Here, I'll help you...http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/106613-what-kind-damage-going-over-50mph-4wd.html



Annnnnyyyway, does anyone have anything meaningful to add or shall we just continue being shitty and judgmental to other experienced owners?

Thanks ******* but I simply asked a question to start. Like the first person that replied said, 4wd is not to be used on dry pavement in the first place, let alone at highway speeds. Yes I'm sure you can do it a few times and have no issues. However eventually something is probably gonna go wrong. If you do heroin enough times you'll probably overdose too.

 

[gclark14]

And we get snow down here too buddy.

 

[atalarico]

Thanks ******* but I simply asked a question to start. Like the first person that replied said, 4wd is not to be used on dry pavement in the first place, let alone at highway speeds. Yes I'm sure you can do it a few times and have no issues. However eventually something is probably gonna go wrong. If you do heroin enough times you'll probably overdose too.

What part of my statement indicated I was using it on dry pavement? I'm sorry if I didn't make it clearer that I encountered snowy and slick conditions and then engaged 4HI while I was actually going slower than 50MPH. However, as I would accelerate back up to between 50 and 60 MPH, I would get a new vibration that was not there prior to getting new tires.

Here, I'll recap the situation for you; You asked why I put it in 4HI on the highway and I answered that the conditions were such that I felt it was warranted. Then you criticized my driving by saying that if the conditions warranted 4HI then I was clearly driving recklessly.

That had nothing to do with my question about whether or not there was a correlation between my new tires and this new vibration that I felt when I went over a certain speed in 4HI. Do you see how that might be a bit strange and frustrating? You have no insight to offer other than weird criticisms, so kindly move on. If you don't have anything constructive to add to this then don't add anything.

 

[gclark14]

What part of my statement indicated I was using it on dry pavement? I'm sorry if I didn't make it clearer that I encountered snowy and slick conditions, engaged 4HI while I was actually going slower than 50MPH. However, as I would accelerate back up to between 50 and 60 MPH, I would get a new vibration that was not there prior to getting new tires.

You have no insight to offer other than weird criticisms, so kindly move on. If you don't have anything constructive to add to this then don't add anything.

Here, I'll recap the situation for you; You asked why I put it in 4HI on the highway and I answered that the conditions were such that I felt it was warranted. Then you criticized my driving by saying that if the conditions warranted 4HI then I was clearly driving recklessly.

That had nothing to do with my question about whether or not there was a correlation between my new tires and this new vibration that I felt when I went over a certain speed in 4HI. Do you see how that might be a bit strange and frustrating?

Lol quote me saying you're "clearly driving recklessly". I was just giving my .02. And I'm not the one criticizing someone saying something because of where they're from. If you're such an "experienced owner" then figure it out yourself instead of bashing someone for their opinion. Sorry I hurt your feelings.

 

[atalarico]

Lol quote me saying you're "clearly driving recklessly". I was just giving my .02.

As in...

If the conditions call for 4wd on the highway then I don't think going over 55mph is the best idea. But hey not my vehicle. Why should I care right?

Nothing judgmental in that? Really? Nothing in that "best idea" to imply that something that isn't the "best idea" in relation to the act of driving might be considered reckless? Nothing at all? It's OK to admit these things. Here, I'll give you an example of how to admit when you've said or done something wrong from my own statements in this thread:

And I'm not the one criticizing someone saying something because of where they're from.

Yes, you're right, it wasn't fair of me to imply that your opinion(s) regarding the many and varied nuances of winter driving conditions might be less valuable because you're "Location" says you're in Alabama. For all I know you could have grown up in the frozen hellscape of the Mid-West (like me) and cut your winter driving teeth in one of the harshest winter environments in North America. While I don't think it's an entirely unfair assumption, I am willing to concede that perhaps it might be an unfair assumption about you personally. No sarcasm, I am sorry for that.

I am not sorry for thinking that you're making points about things that are totally irrelevant to my question.

And we get snow down here too buddy.

As for the differences in snow accumulation between Alabama and Colorado...you can't be serious, can you? I didn't say "It NEVER snows in Alabama so you don't know anything!!!!!", but you simply do not encounter the frequency or severity of snow and ice on the types of winding and steep mountainous terrain as we do in Colorado. That's just a fact, and there isn't, or at least shouldn't be, a defensible position there. Can you please unsubscribe to this thread now since you clearly don't have any ideas other than "it's bad to drive over 50mph in 4HI, so you shouldn't"?

 

[gclark14]

Didn't say your driving was reckless. But regardless I don't think new tires would be the cause of vibrations. And I understand Colorado clearly gets more snow and ice. But if a road is completely frozen over, it doesn't matter what state you live in. Iced over roads are iced over roads. The reason for my first "judgmental" response was because you said "Why the **** are guys getting so hung up on something that has nothing to do with my actual question?" Sorry that I didn't reply to the rudeness with a sincere and nice response.

 

[atalarico]

Didn't say your driving was reckless.

I know you didn't say it directly, but as I explained in the previous post, when you say something about driving isn't the "best idea", it implies a lot.

And I understand Colorado clearly gets more snow and ice. But if a road is completely frozen over, it doesn't matter what state you live in. Iced over roads are iced over roads.

No, it definitely wasn't "completely frozen over", and I don't think I said that it was. I'm also very familiar with iced over roads being the great equalizer and that no one should be driving on them, unless you have studs or chains I guess. I don't even think it's possible to drive straight at 55mph on ice (though some people with California plates do their best to try that here).

The reason for my first "judgmental" response was because you said "Why the **** are guys getting so hung up on something that has nothing to do with my actual question?" Sorry that I didn't reply to the rudeness with a sincere and nice response.

Yes, I was frustrated and I expressed in a way that wasn't super nice or helpful. I'm sorry. I realize now that the original intent of that statement was more exasperated tongue-in-cheek dark humor, but that wasn't conveyed very well in text. As in, "Guys, really? Does anyone have any idea about the original issue that doesn't have to do with whether or not it's OK to engage 4HI on the highway, or whether or not it's safe to be driving over 50mph if the pavement is wet?" I probably shouldn't have said anything and just waited for other responses.

We good?

 

[gclark14]

Golden. Check your messages.

 

[rossgoldie]

I by no means want to get involved into what has been said in this thread. Owners manual in mine says not to use 4wd over 45mph. I dont know why or if that is an extra safety concern from Toyota. Maybe front drivetrain wasn't made for over 45 but anyways.

My guess would be driveshaft vibration? Check your joints and grease the zerk?

 

[StreetCreeper]

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[gamefreakgc]

If it happens in 2wd and 4wd, have your tires balanced again.

Only in 4wd at high speeds, it's your driveline and such. But you might be chasing an issue that has no solution, Toyota's doesn't give a speed cap on the 4wd just to slow down your commute.

 

[a216vcti]

What a shitshow ITT, sorry you had to put up with this OP. I agree with others, check your driveshaft and maybe top of your front diff and t-case.

 

[atalarico]

Thanks, all. Going to check my diff fluid today and see if she's thirsty. I just lubed all of my driveshaft zirks a couple of weeks ago, so it shouldn't be that.

Thinking about it though, I haven't taken it over 50MPH in 4HI since last winter, and the only other thing I've done related to anything related to my front diff is that I replaced CV axles with CVJ reman'd over the summer. The CVs I had before were the OEM ones that I rebuilt (by me and Eddy) using CVJ's silicone and neoprene boots.

Thoughts?

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I'm still confused about this speed & road condition stuff. It was news to me until recently that there was a recommended "speed limit" for H4 usage.

I quickly peeked at my owner's manual and this is the info that is listed in mine:

Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower traffic, maximum acceleration may be necessary.
Make sure you observe the following maximum allowable speeds in each gear:

Four-wheel drive models w/5VZ-FE engine “H2” and “H4”
Gear: km/h (mph)
1: 48 (29)
2: 89 (55)
3: 127 (79)
4: 165 (102)

Four-wheel drive models w/5VZ-FE engine “L4”
Gear: km/h (mph)
1: 18 (11)
2: 34 (21)
3: 49 (31)
4: 64 (39)


“H2” (high speed position, two-wheel drive):

Lever at “H”, “4WD” button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hardsurfaced roads. This position gives greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.

“H4” (high speed position, four-wheel drive):

Lever at “H”, 4WD” button pushed in.
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or snow-covered roads. This position provides greater traction than two-wheel drive.

See “(c) Shifting procedure (lever/button type)” for further instructions.

The A.D.D. can be engaged or disengaged by the shifting operations described in “(c) Shifting procedure”.
You should drive in four-wheel drive for atleast 16 km (10 miles) each month. This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated.

(c) Shifting procedure (lever/button type) SHIFTING BETWEEN “H2” AND “H4”

To shift from “H2” to “H4”, reduce your speed to less than 100 km/h (62 mph) and push in the “4WD” button. You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not come on when you push in the “4WD” button, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating.

If the indicator light flashes and the buzzer sounds when you push in the “4WD” button, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle and reset.

CAUTION! Never push the “4WD” button if wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.

To shift from “H4” to “H2”, push the “4WD” button again to turn it off.
This can be done at any vehicle speed. You need not depress the clutch pedal.

If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into “H2”, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.

I have yet to find somewhere in the Owner's manual that states it is not recommended to go over 55MPH in 4WD.

 

[TheDurk]

I'm still confused about this speed & road condition stuff. It was news to me until recently that there was a recommended "speed limit" for H4 usage.

I quickly peeked at my owner's manual and this is the info that is listed in mine:



I have yet to find somewhere in the Owner's manual that states it is not recommended to go over 55MPH in 4WD.

I think you may have found the cause of the grinding issue.

Never push the “4WD” button if wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.

I suspect that there is likely to be some slipping of wheels on a mixed snow/ice/asphalt surface at 50mph+. I can easily imagine how that would lead to grinding while trying to engage.

The vibration while engaged is another issue.