I have a 03 with 145k miles. After an off road excursion this past weekend, I am now getting a slight drive-train vibration at medium speed (over 50mph) that quits the second you release the throttle. It does not start back immediately when throttle is depressed, but will come back after you load the chassis turning right or left at highway speeds. Local mechanic wants to replace transfer case bearings and charge $900 to do so. He says my u joints look in good shape, as well as rest of front/rear drive shafts. I searched extensively for anyone replacing t-case bearings, most people end up replacing driveshafts (especially with warn slip yoke issues). Just hoping someone can chime in with some insight before I spend $900 on a seemingly uncommon problem. Thanks!
Transfer Case bearing replacement?
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As you likely know from your searches, there a few on here still chasing the very vibration you describe. I have new driveshafts that did not solve the vibration. I have wondered if the t-case bearings are an issue, because I do have slight lateral play in the front output shaft when the driveshafts are out. From all my searches and experiences with my own truck, I'm willing to say you should be the guinea pig and replace the t-case output bearings then report back. Seriously, though, if your mechanic think the shafts are balanced, the u-joints are good, and there is no other obvious source of driveline vibration, I think the t-case bearings are worth a $900 shot. I'd be willing to bet that will fix the vibration. If my truck's vibration gets any worse, I'll be doing that myself this year.
I would find it hard to believe the t case bearing are bad after seeing them, they are huge.
Before going to the expensive I would get another opinion from a Toyota dealer.
I've had vibration appear at about 40-50 mph, that woudn't go away again until completely stopped. Then, after starting up again, it would sometimes come back, and a sometimes not.
So, I figured I would do a small test to check the U-joints:
After greasing all the u-joints, I could not make the vibrations come back. Until a year later, then I just used the grease gun again, and it was fine. Since then, I've made sure to pump in 2-3 strokes every 3-5 k miles, and it's been fine.
So, I figured I would do a small test to check the U-joints:
After greasing all the u-joints, I could not make the vibrations come back. Until a year later, then I just used the grease gun again, and it was fine. Since then, I've made sure to pump in 2-3 strokes every 3-5 k miles, and it's been fine.
Any update to this? I have the same vibration while on the throttle at speeds above 50ish. Did the bearings do the trick?
I'm interested as well. I am sitting on a t case diagnosis for vibrations currently. However, I think this is only really possible if the t case has shown signs of seal failure at some point and has ran on low gear oil level or if the truck is heavily modified.
These cases are very strong (I have rebuilt two) this is true. But I have seen them fairly worn out when:
- Blown output oil seal / output bearing and run with low oil level
- Running a truck with 35+ tires, 200k+ miles, w/ overboosted 1HD-T motor, harsh life.
T case would then be a very low chance for diagnosis on a mall cruiser with no leaks.