Vibration when accelerating in 4WD only?

[Drheim]

Not the tires

FYI - I had new AT tires on until November or so and was still having very slight vibration in 4wd only, when on the interstate, and only when accelerating. When I let off the gas, it is fine. When I am in 2wd, it is always fine. If anyone has any other ideas let me know, but please do not post anything about not going above 50mph in 4wd. There are times when interstates are really bad any everyone is doing 20-30mph, but when it becomes only snowpacked, or when there are only bad patches where the mountains block the sun, there are tens of thousands of people going above 65mph in 4wd on I-70.

 

[1000MPH]

You don’t have full time 4wd in an SR5 you have part time and that means a transfer case with no center differential. Any Limited owners report this issue? I live in the snow too. I only use 4WD when I can’t move in 2 and I’m out of it as soon as possible. Works for me.
Your description of CO drivers is scary.

 

[JSparky]

Since we're bringing this one back, another argument against engaging and/or using part time 4wd at freeway speeds would be the the potential for tire lockup if you had to make an evasive maneuver, avoiding road debris, immobilized vehicles etc. I imagine it wouldn't play too nice with VSC in regaining control seeing as its dependent on independently braking wheels.

I just can't imagine an instance where I'd want to be doing 70 with a locked transfercase.

No diff vibes in my Limited. I am getting a growling noise at low speeds but I'm pretty sure it's my sliders contact the body somewhere "had the issue before", have to hunt that down.

 

[Drheim]

Not 100% on SR5 package

It is a SR5, but when in 4wd high the wheels are always in 4wd, so when I make 90 degree turns it will start skipping or whatever. Same as my old Tacoma and I thought that meant full-time, but could be wrong. I have lived in Vail, CO for 12 years and we average 350" of snow a year and when road is just snowpacked, no turns, etc. everyone on interstate is doing 70mph. When you get this much snow there are also times when you will go a mile and it is clear, and then hit a mile where it is bad(usually where mountains block sunlight), or it might be night and you are not 100% sure if the roads might start getting bad as you climb a pass and temps are dropping(~4 degree drop per 1000' elevation) ,etc. In all of those situations everyone leaves it in 4wd(sometimes the tire tracks only are clear and everything else is snowpacked), and in some(not all)if you were to drive 40mph in the right hand lane you would start causing some safety problems as cars would be swerving around you. There is just a lot more snow up here.

 

[nb rob]

It is a SR5, but when in 4wd high the wheels are always in 4wd, so when I make 90 degree turns it will start skipping or whatever. Same as my old Tacoma and I thought that meant full-time, but could be wrong. I have lived in Vail, CO for 12 years and we average 350" of snow a year and when road is just snowpacked, no turns, etc. everyone on interstate is doing 70mph. When you get this much snow there are also times when you will go a mile and it is clear, and then hit a mile where it is bad(usually where mountains block sunlight), or it might be night and you are not 100% sure if the roads might start getting bad as you climb a pass and temps are dropping(~4 degree drop per 1000' elevation) ,etc. In all of those situations everyone leaves it in 4wd(sometimes the tire tracks only are clear and everything else is snowpacked), and in some(not all)if you were to drive 40mph in the right hand lane you would start causing some safety problems as cars would be swerving around you. There is just a lot more snow up here.

I’m with you. I’d rather replace 4x4 parts than end up swapping ends at highway speed.

I worked with a guy that insisted that 4x4 was for when you’re stuck. He rolled his brand new Jeep on the way to the office — in 2 wheel drive.


If you’re only getting a vibration in 4x4, check the u joints on the front propeller shaft.
I went through a lot of those in a former vehicle. They will definitely cause a vibration in 4x4 that you can feel on the floorboard and in your seat

 

[Jetboy]

This makes me nervous. I've noticed vibrations in 4wd during acceleration this winter. Do you normally notice an oil leak with it? Or is the fluid level below those seals? I have the platinum care 100k warranty - so long as they don't void it for having a small lift I should be covered I think. But it's still a bit of a PITA to deal with.

 

[Drheim]

Thanks for the advice on the u-joints. I will check them and see if there is any movement. When you live up here you always think "if it is clear then 2wd", but if not just throw it in 4wd because you do not want to be the stupid guy who has an accident because he came across a bad area in 2wd.

 

[nb rob]

This makes me nervous. I've noticed vibrations in 4wd during acceleration this winter. Do you normally notice an oil leak with it? Or is the fluid level below those seals? I have the platinum care 100k warranty - so long as they don't void it for having a small lift I should be covered I think. But it's still a bit of a PITA to deal with.

An oil leak, as in at the pinion seals? Or the ujoint itself?
I think the ujoint would have to be worn for quite a while to affect the pinion seals, but it certainly would not be good for those seals. no question.

bad ujoints are relatively easy to diagnose because it's a higher frequency vibration than anything at the wheels. And when you grab on to them, the slop is obvious.
The nice thing about the 4runner is that the front prop shaft can be turned when in RWD for a good inspection, without having to jack a wheel off of the ground

A bright light helps. Look at the caps, from the inside looking outward. Wiggle it in X,Y and Z.

As far as warranty work, I'd rather have ujoint replaced for a driveline vibration than just about anything else. it's a piece of cake, and inexpensive-- just in case the lift is a stumbling block for the warranty work

 

[1000MPH]

Thanks for the advice on the u-joints. I will check them and see if there is any movement. When you live up here you always think "if it is clear then 2wd", but if not just throw it in 4wd because you do not want to be the stupid guy who has an accident because he came across a bad area in 2wd.

This is bad advice and dangerous. Most experts agree.

"Drivers are often fooled when driving in slippery conditions with an AWD or 4WD vehicle, not realizing how slippery conditions may be when driving, only to discover they are going way too fast when trying to stop. Because the added traction of 4WD can allow a vehicle to accelerate more quickly in slippery conditions, drivers need to be more vigilant, not less. Slippery conditions demand extra caution, no matter what you drive.

In many cases, having good tires is more important than the drive wheels. Winter tires, for instance, actually do help you turn and stop on a snowy road—things that AWD doesn’t help with." Consumer Reports

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/2wd-awd-or-4wd-how-much-traction-do-you-need/index.htm

 

[nb rob]

How about we just drive in 4x4 and not drive like a tool? Some of us have a lifetime of driving on snow and ice, and we know that you need to slow down, and prepare to stop welllll in advance.

more solid gold from consumer reports and their experts. This isn't a winter tire thread, which is undebated.

 

[joshuawhite1992]

Did the issue ever get resolved?