Vibration/growling when decelerating?

[Freb_mc]

So over 55 when I let up it has a vibration, almost a growl. My first thought went to carrier bearing, but it dont have one.. I checked u joints, no visible play. the only thing I could find was a bit of play in the pinion, only about 1/8 inch or less twist. Any advice? Would this cause it?

While I was checking under the truck I noticed the steering angle is a bit steep, and the axles are at a steep angle and I am new to 4x4, but I know drive shaft angle and this seems a bit extreme. Is there a fix for this? Someone mentioned a diff drop?

Plus I changed the passenger cv out and everything is fine but the driver side has a bit of play in the axle, slop in the axle between it and the spindle. Is there a bearing/bushing there?

I just noticed how nasty that caliper looks, lol I just changed it out last weekend

 

[Freb_mc]

Forgot to mention 93 4runner 5spd v6 3.0
With unknown lift and balljoint spacers

 

[OCMike]

When you figure it out, let me know. I get have a vibration when I start letting off the gas at highway speeds also. My left front wheel has some play and seeing if that fixes it. Replaced pitman arm and idler arm. That didn't fix it. Also getting a tuneup done. Ruled out u-joints. Nothing else seems to be loose or out of whack.

 

[crutchy]

This is actually a pretty common issue after a small lift on 4runner and Tacos. My 86 had it after a lift and even my friends '12 Taco had it after a lift. Some have had luck with a 'fix' being a front diff drop, fixing play in the output of the xfer case, re-centering the rear axle and the list goes on. I spent a ton of time on yotatech with my 86 and still never fixed it. Good luck with it and a quick search on the other site will net a ton of places to look.

 

[OCMike]

This is actually a pretty common issue after a small lift on 4runner and Tacos. My 86 had it after a lift and even my friends '12 Taco had it after a lift. Some have had luck with a 'fix' being a front diff drop, fixing play in the output of the xfer case, re-centering the rear axle and the list goes on. I spent a ton of time on yotatech with my 86 and still never fixed it. Good luck with it and a quick search on the other site will net a ton of places to look.

I'll have my mechanic look into that.

 

[fourwd1]

Try checking the rear DS u-joints with it unbolted from the diff.

 

[Freb_mc]

you mean rear drive shaft u joint? or what? I'm not following ya. If so it has no notable play, I greased it and everything looked good. But I can pull it just to check. My friend said he had a similar issue on his work truck, finally replaced the ujoints and it went away. worth looking at least. Whats everyone running for replacements? I want good quality if I replace them

 

[Freb_mc]

Now after I stop at light or intersection it seems I hear a light "pop" noise in the back end. This leads me to think rear u joint again... need to check this weekend

 

[fourwd1]

you mean rear drive shaft u joint? or what? ...

Yes, I've seen plenty of bad u-joints that "feel" OK when the DS is bolted up, but once the DS is unbolted from the diff and there's no load on it, you can see they're bad.

 

[Freb_mc]

I wanted to report back and share my findings with the rest of the class:
Well it seems my light pop noise pointed me in the right direction. I looked at the rear of the drive shaft originally to investigate the ujoint. Not the ujoint however. Turns out I had alot more play in my pinion than last time I checked. It flops around side to side now.... :banghead: pinion bearings are at fault here. I am assuming the lift and angle of the drive shaft are to blame.

 

[dawson62]

Bad mistake

I experienced the same vibration and it got worse. I had tire shops telling me it was the tires. I had transmission shops telling me it was the transmission, I had off road garage telling me it was entire drive system. I eventually changed out the front u joint and it stopped. 1 week later the entire bell housing blew and scattered all over the highway along with my oil and universal parts. moral of this...toyotas DONT last forever...any car last forever if you keep replacing parts every few months.

 

[Freb_mc]

Well up side of this is I found the source before any major damage. I may use this opportunity to convince the wife I "need" lockers and new gears. Maybe... Hoping to do a 3.4 swap soon as well. May save the pennies for that and do lockers later.

 

[OCMike]

Glad you found out what was causing yours. I took it to a recommended Toyota specialist today and they can't figure it out. Even took 2 of their service techs on a drive and they kinda hear it, but can't figure out where it's coming from.

 

[Freb_mc]

Have you tried checking or just replacing the ujoint at the rear? And check for pinion play, the smallest amount can cause noise. After asking around locally at shops the most common problem is rear ujoint or loose pinion.

 

[OCMike]

I think that might be my next step. The shops said the u-joint look fine. I might just have them replace it anyways. The pinion is also on my list. Man. I wish I had the tools and garage space to to this myself.

 

[Freb_mc]

Me too! Lol I have the tools and used to have the garage... Til we moved, now I am using a level spot in my driveway when the weather cooperates...yay..

 

[OCMike]

OK. Even people on the CarTalk forum say it's the U Joints. I think I might just get that looked at a little closer.

 

[Freb_mc]

Ok its fixed! so it was not the pinion bearings after all, just the pinion nut had come loose about a half turn. So we pulled and checked the outer bearing and seal, bearing was fine, replaced the seal, and tightened everything up as it should be. Also the ujoint was much worse than originally thought, but we had planned on replacing it anyway. now its tight as new.

 

[OCMike]

Well, mine ended up being a spun bearing in the third member.

 

[Freb_mc]

Glad you found it, were you able to get it fixed for a reasonable price? Or take care of it yourself?