4runner vibration (1 Viewer)

[dingoboy]

I've got the nasty vibration that everybody talks about at about 110-120kmh on my 99 4runner V6 5speed 4x4. feels like its coming from the back end cause the steering doesn't shake. I've had the wheels balanced by a guy that has the identical truck and had the same problem with his. he balanced his own wheels at the shop and solved the problem. It didn't solve mine. any possibility that it could be the rear bearings. I personally don't think its the bearings. You would think that bearings would get worse the faster you go. at 130 kmh its butter smooth and also anywhere below 100kmh. I checked the drive shaft and the original factory weights are still on there so it shouldn't be out of balance. It seems that when I put it in neutral when its vibrating it gets a little worse. could be just perception since the engine isn't revving as much so you feel the vibration more. I've also rotated the tires and its the same story. any ideas would be appreciated. cheers

 

[LukeZero]

Things it could be:

1. driveshaft out of balance
2. loose driveshaft bolts
3. slop in pinion bearings
4. slop in wheel bearings.

I'd have a shop look at the driveshaft, pinion bearings and check all the bolts for the driveshaft. If the rear end is developing some "slop" from wear and tear, that might manifest only at specific speeds. Also, switch the front wheels with the back wheels, if the problem follows the wheels to the front, bingo, its not in the rear end. If the problem persists in the rear, its not the wheels.

Things its not

1. Nitrogen in the tires.
2. lots of other things

 

[Jetboy]

U-joints? That'd be my first check. Usually rear wheel bearings will leak long before you feel them. Same with the pinion bearing in my experience. I'd second a driveline issue. Of course I'd probably get the wheels rebalanced just to double check, or swap the tires as balance alone doesn't necessarily lead to smooth ride. If you have a road force balancer nearby that's a good way to see if the tire will run smooth.

So I'd look at driveshaft first, then re look at tires, then maybe think about the axle. One way to test the axle would be removal of the rear shaft and run in 4wd. See if it still vibrates. If so you don't know it's a rear axle, but you know it's not the shaft.

 

[Duane]

have a friend drive it and you drive behind and beside it and look to see if the tires are bouncing....

you can balance a tire but that doesn't mean that it is round.

 

[SteveH]

Given the cheap ball bearing rear wheel bearings in 3rd gen 4Runners (2nd gens used roller bearings), don't rule that out. Mine was noisy and allowed the wheel to move up and down before it failed or leaked. If you catch it before it leaks, then you don't also have to do a brake job. Jack up the truck and see if there's any play (up/down) in the rear wheel bearings. Running the car in gear on a rack and using a stethoscope is a sure way to learn which wheel bearing makes noise. Mine left rear wheel bearing failed at 130K miles.

 

[beau123]

vibration fixed???

i'm experiencing a similar vibration anytime i accelerate over 50mph. new tires and balanced drive shaft, but still there. u-joints feel ok.

dingoboy, were you ever able to fix the vibration???

 

[Schmeal]

I'm with Jet Boy, grease the u joints and see is there is a change in the vibration. I had 4runner that was fine until about 35mph then vibration hell. Took off the drive shaft and the u joints were garbage.

 

[jnadaf]

I had the same problem in my chevy blazer. Tires were balanced by a respected tire shop/mechanic. Suspected his balancing went to GM dealer. Rebalanced but problem remained. GM reasoned it to drive train imbalance. When my tires were worn, changed from Goodrich to Michelin's vibrations were gone.

But my steering use to vibrate, but only at some critical speed over 100kmph. (some kind of resonance i guess) You claim yours didn't. Anyway this was my experience.