Vibration after installing front spacers

[PowrPly]

Ok, I know there are a few threads out there on this topic, however, I have yet to find a definitive answer. I find it troubling that so many of us are experiencing this and no one seems to have an answer, other than to remove the spacers. I called Wheeler’s Off Road to get their opinion and Travis (the guy who answered the phone) told me to let him know if I figure it out because he’s having the same problem!!
So, hopefully somebody has figured it out and I just haven’t found it yet.
Here’s my story:
2002 Sport Edition. I installed OME coils front and rear last summer (906’s rear 881’s front). They lifted me a bit, mainly got rid of rear sag. Recently I installed the 1” Daystar spacer on top of the front coils to level me out (ended up 3/4” higher up front). After the spacers I’m getting a vibration from 60 to 70mph. It doesn’t matter if I’m on or off the gas, in or out of gear, vibration is constant. I have a brand new steering rack, stock wheels and grease my u joints regularly. The u joints are solid, the tires were just balanced and rotated and I did get an alignment from a trusted shop.
The vibration isn’t real heavy, but it bothers me. I’ve owned this truck since day one and know it like the back of my hand. What happened? I really like the look, but I’m ready to pull them out if I don’t find a solution.

 

[Ryance39]

I was expecting this thread to be about wheels spacers not top spacers in the front suspension.

Here is what I experienced when I had top spacers on my 95.5 Tacoma. Similar but different and worth mentioning.

When I bought the truck it has revtek 1.5inch (i think) spacers on the front suspension. After driving it some time I wanted to improve the ride because spacers made it jarring. When removing the old suspension I noticed something very interesting.
On one of the spacers, the top hat insulator had sort of melted? From what I assume was friction and heat under suspension dampening. On the other side, the spacer which had dimples in it was not lined up with the dimples on the top hat insulator. So there was an albeit small gap that didn’t allow the spacer and top hat to fit flush with the mounting point.

Now, before removing the suspension I got a bit of vibration but I always assumed it was the bad shocks and springs that were installed. After replacing the old suspension and spacers with OME coils and 5100’s, the vibration was totally gone. I can’t say it was because the spacers weren’t seated quite right but it’s plausible that could be the issue.

I’ve also read that people have experienced vibration from increased CV angle, increases driveline angle and potential binding, and binding from the control arm bushings.

Hope this all helps

 

[Crikeymike]

Try moving your front tires to the back and rears up front. After I last had my tires rebalanced, they didn't get the fronts right and it drove me nuts thinking it was something else. I finally rotated them myself to find that the front tires just weren't balanced properly, and with the rears up front, my 55-65mph vibration went away.

After an oil change once too, a newly added weight came off the wheel and caused a vibration real quick.

Regarding the lift, perhaps with the new height, the camber is out on the front? Not the same amount of tire contacting the ground perhaps?

 

[PowrPly]

Thank you for the ideas, I really appreciate it.
I’m considering a diff drop even though everything I’ve read tells me I’m not lifted enough to need one.

 

[PowrPly]

Crikeymike -
All good ideas, but I just had the wheels balanced and rotated. They ran fine until I installed the lift. It wouldn’t be camber, I just had it aligned by a reputable shop that I’ve used before.

 

[Kanoe]

I would still lean to tires as a primary suspect. But if you are sure it’s not them, have you considered the front diff needle bearing? How much wiggle in the drivers side cv axle inner end? Might be time for an ECGS bushing. Sounds like you are getting pretty tall and lifting is said to affect this bearing.

 

[PowrPly]

Kanoe -
You got it! My cv axle on the driver’s side is moving exactly like the cv axle in Timmy’s video. So, here’s the question: do I install the bushing or remove the spacers? If I remove the spacers, am I simply ignoring a problem that I’ll have to deal with later or did I cause the problem with the spacers?

 

[phattyduck]

Kanoe -
You got it! My cv axle on the driver’s side is moving exactly like the cv axle in Timmy’s video. So, here’s the question: do I install the bushing or remove the spacers? If I remove the spacers, am I simply ignoring a problem that I’ll have to deal with later or did I cause the problem with the spacers?

The lift puts an extra load on the bearing there, so you noticed the issue. It was there before the lift.

-Charlie

 

[PowrPly]

Copy.

 

[PowrPly]

Ok, here’s where I’m at in this miserable experience. I installed the ECGS bushing (tore the boot on the LBJ in the process). The install went well, but it didn’t change the vibration. I don’t regret this install, it was needed. My CV axle is rock solid in the diff now. I had the wheels re-balanced, still vibrates. Ujoints are all solid and well greased, always have been. The vibration I’m experiencing is tight (meaning no wobble or shimmy, just a vibration) and in the steering wheel. It came as soon as the lift was installed. I love the lift, but I have no tolerance for the vibration. I’m going to replace the passenger side LBJ to match the driver’s side I was forced to replace on Tuesday. Unless a miracle happens I’ll be removing the spacers at the same time.
If the vibration is there after the spacers are removed I’m going to light the thing on fire and send it over a cliff.

 

[Bad Luck]

If the vibration is there after the spacers are removed I’m going to light the thing on fire and send it over a cliff.

We want a video!!! :gun5:

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Try lossening the lugnuts, jack up one corner at a time, torque the lugnuts while in the air. I use 85 lb-ft for mine. Torqueing them in the air has fixed vibration issues in both my 2017 Tacoma and my 99 4Runner. I know after I get the tires balanced and rotated I have to do it when I get home.