Unique drivetrain shudder

tony1300cc

tony1300cc

New member
Hi gang. Longtime lurker who finally has a problem I'm not abler to fix by searching the boards. Newb info and vehicle pics are here.

Problem
-A shudder that increases and decreases in intensity. Some days it's barely noticeable under light braking, others it's like a badly out of balance tire at high speeds. This is my 2003 limited- 4wd V8.

What I know-
-With the truck lifted and drivetrain running I can see the front driver wheel and control arm rocking up and down.
-Wheels & tires are balanced. Switching front tires had no effect. Driver side oscillated, passenger & rears stayed smooth.
-Diffs and transfer case are full of fresh fluid and not leaking.
-No traditional wheel bearing noises.
-With truck lifted & in neutral the front driver wheel will only turn 1/4 revolution freely. I can push wheel (hard) through this tight spot but it hits the next 1/4 revolution and does the same. the other 3 wheels spin freely.


Ok gurus, please teach me. If there is already a thread on this then I'll eat my shoe and buy you all beers.:)
 
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might also be shrinked or worn out rotors.i had the same thing couple of times,the next day,nothing.

try to remember if you pushed the brake pedal very hard on high speed?it caused me the shudder from time to time.
 
Thanks guys!

I replaced front calipers and rotors a month ago thinking that was the culprit (should've incuded that in 1st post). I will lift it again to make sure calipers are acting properly again but don't recall any drag last time.

I was thinking something in the diff because if the 4.1 ratio of "hang ups" to wheel rotation.
 
beliy25 said:
might also be shrinked or worn out rotors.i had the same thing couple of times,the next day,nothing.

try to remember if you pushed the brake pedal very hard on high speed?it caused me the shudder from time to time.
Click to expand...

I'll try the hard brake test tomorrow just in case.
 
tony1300cc said:
I'll try the hard brake test tomorrow just in case.
Click to expand...

When you replaced the calipers and rotors, did the problem decrease or disappear for a short while? The brake shudder could be indicative of rotor warp induced by your pads since you haven't replaced them.

You said you couldn't rotate the wheel by hand more than 1/4 turn, was that with or without the tire?

This article has some interesting info
 
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Good article Dunn.

Dunngeon said:
When you replaced the calipers and rotors, did the problem decrease or disappear for a short while? The brake shudder could be indicative of rotor warp induced by your pads since you haven't replaced them.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the brakes no effect on the shudder. Along with new calipers I put in a matched set of towing pads & rotors. Break in was detailed & done correctly.

Dunngeon said:
You said you couldn't rotate the wheel by hand more than 1/4 turn, was that with or without the tire?
Click to expand...

Both with and without wheel installed. Rotating by hand, there is no telltale sound of rotor and pad engaging. Only a light clunk that sounds like something engaging in the diff 4x every revolution. I'll pull the halfshaft this afternoon to try and isolate the brake/rotor and wheel bearing.
 
Should have read more of the thread. Interesting that you replaced calipers and problem persisted. Have you considered the rear calipers?

On my Jeep, it was the tie rod ends that created a wobble here and there on braking. Then worked itself into the death wobble. Which is SO fun.
 
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tony1300cc said:
Thanks guys!

I replaced front calipers and rotors a month ago thinking that was the culprit (should've incuded that in 1st post). I will lift it again to make sure calipers are acting properly again but don't recall any drag last time.

I was thinking something in the diff because if the 4.1 ratio of "hang ups" to wheel rotation.
Click to expand...

Interesting... maybe it's the CV axle binding internally? Let us know what you find for sure.
 
I will be watching this...I developed a shudder recently as well. Low speed, around 3rd gear and under 20mph...feels like i am going over mini speed bumps!
 
NCrunner0 said:
I will be watching this...I developed a shudder recently as well. Low speed, around 3rd gear and under 20mph...feels like i am going over mini speed bumps!
Click to expand...


Agree with above about rumble strip.... I had it. Got the tranny flushed and filled at Toyota. Took couple hundred miles but it went away after that. The service rep was pretty adamant about informing me that since I was at 120k and never flushed it I might have issues. I took the chance and did the flush anyways. Been 15k and still smooth as butter again.

My shudder seemed to occur on light acceleration at lower speeds and around 1200-1500rpm.

Hth
 
Done some reading on this and sounds like this is what I have, I will talk to my service guy (former yota tech) and do what he recommends. Seems like different people get different results. Funny thing is, one guy mentioned no issues until he done fluid changes (diffs,etc.), I just had my front and rear diffs serviced and my t-case leak fixed with new fluid.....interesting.
 
Winner is?

Tore wheel and hub off last night. Grabbing the outer end of the halfshaft I was still only able to turn it 1/4 turn before it hit "tight spot". It was easier to get push through the tight spot with the shaft in a straighter position.

But

I did notice this shredded and dry UBJ while disassembling. I think I've got my #1 suspect here.

ry%3D480
 
Does make me wonder if front driver wheel is supposed to rotate freely with both front wheels in the air like the passenger side does? Anyone willing to jack up their front and give it a spin?:becky:
 
tony1300cc said:
Does make me wonder if front driver wheel is supposed to rotate freely with both front wheels in the air like the passenger side does? Anyone willing to jack up their front and give it a spin?:becky:
Click to expand...

I've had the front end up in the air many times for lots of reasons... both wheels should spin freely, and if they don't something is binding.

So it sounds like you removed the caliper and rotor, so we can eliminate the possibility of it being a seized caliper. I don't think the worn UBJ should have any real effect on the rotation of the half-shaft. Steering and handling may be suffering though. I'm still thinking the CV is binding internally, or as someone else posted a bearing inside the diff is failing.
 
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