Rear axle has the wobbles/shake

[jman11788]

There is a bad wobble on the rear axle that I can’t pinpoint. Jacked the rear off ground and put the truck in drive while I got under it..

The entire axle wobbles up and down not side to side. The driveshaft turns smoothly visually, no leaks, no bearing noises, just small vibrations 45-65 and then it starts to feel like the whole truck is falling apart. Is the whole axle housing bent perhaps?

 

[BrianK14]

The axle housing is wobbling? Check upper and lower control arms for missing bolts and/or bad bushings

 

[kolelt]

Yeah check for bad bushings. If you can, get under the truck and while it’s on park. Push with your feet so you can rock it back and forth. And pay attention to bushings ends.

 

[plcfcng]

Maybe Ujoints I had a similar problem found the previous owner had put in U joints that had clips that were to thin. This allowing the cross to shift causing a bad imbalance. If there is any space between the clip and the yoke they are the wrong ones. Check in forum for the correct U joints the Dan Spicer had the right thickness clips other ones did not.

 

[timmytimtim]

When my rear control arm bushings went out on me, it was more of a side-to-side wobble, but it was definitely a scary feeling and only at speeds. If you can lift the truck and take weight off of the axle, you should be able to push at the different control arm joints and feel if there is any play. Even a tiny amount of play can cause some nasty movement.

But, can you clarify for everybody- were you able to replicate the wobble with the rear jacked up off the ground? As in, with the rear wheels spinning free of the ground, was the axle shaft wobbling?

Do you wheel your Runner or is it mostly pavement and light offroad? How did these symptoms progress?

 

[pokeyman]

I'm getting the same symptoms on my 4Runner and I replace the lower control arms bushing and the problem went away

 

[jman11788]

But, can you clarify for everybody- were you able to replicate the wobble with the rear jacked up off the ground? As in, with the rear wheels spinning free of the ground, was the axle shaft wobbling?

Do you wheel your Runner or is it mostly pavement and light offroad? How did these symptoms progress?

I wheel pretty occasionally. The axle shafts don’t appear to look like they wobble. The entire rear end is wobbling. For awhile I’ve been thinking it’s a tire balance issue because that’s exaclty what it feels like. But looking at the rear end when it’s off the ground and in drive, I know it’s not supposed to wobble like that.

 

[pokeyman]

At what speed are you getting the wobble

 

[timmytimtim]

I wheel pretty occasionally. The axle shafts don’t appear to look like they wobble. The entire rear end is wobbling. For awhile I’ve been thinking it’s a tire balance issue because that’s exaclty what it feels like. But looking at the rear end when it’s off the ground and in drive, I know it’s not supposed to wobble like that.

Do you witness this wobble when the truck is off the ground? Sorry to keep quizzing you, but I think that is important to note because it would not likely be control arm bushings if that were the case (unless they were REALLY bad).

From my understanding, you're lifting rear axle off of the ground and then having someone apply gas while you inspect. You say the "whole rear end" shakes- do you mean that you can visually see the body of the vehicle move?

Like you already suggested, I think this is a wheel balance issue. I think most wobble caused by bearings or bushings would have some lateral movement. If it were me, I'd take it to a shop that does good work and have them balance out the wheels. Bonus points if you can convince them to let you back and show you the current state of balance- if you see one or both of the rear wheels spinning bad on the balancing machine you've probably found your culprit. It's one of the few things I take mine to the shop for. I just wish they'd let me use the balancing machines we have here at the tire plant I work at :crybaby:

 

[plcfcng]

There are many things that can cause a vibration/wobble. A wheel balance they would also see if you have a tire going bad rare but I have seen it the tire would have a bulge upon close inspection. I would also check for wheel run out maybe a bad rim or bent axle, jack up the 4runner and spin the wheel and look down the rim from rear to front to see if one edge moves in and out. I also spoke of the drive line above. I was a little confused as you said bad shaking and also a minor one. If you think bad bushings inspect the bushing with the wheels off the ground and pry on them with a large bar. Maybe a little more history would help us point you in some direction. How long have you been driving the 4runner, has any work been done, any accident or hard hit, has it just started.:wink2:

 

[jman11788]

Do you witness this wobble when the truck is off the ground? Sorry to keep quizzing you, but I think that is important to note because it would not likely be control arm bushings if that were the case (unless they were REALLY bad).

F:crybaby:

Yup, it’s all off the ground and I’m under it looking at the axle. Tomorrow I’m going to take the wheels off and do the same thing and still see if the axle moves.. That way I’ll have a good idea if it’s a wheel issue. From what I know though, there is 3 possible things it could be because all the parts on the rear are solid as in bushings and shocks ect..
So it’s either a wheel/tire issue
A bent axle shaft or bent axle housing.