Vibration and grating sound

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Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Threads
18
Messages
185
Location
South Africa
Good day.

I drive 105 series 1FZ-FE with SFA(2000 model with 120 000km) which I bought 2nd hand about 2 months ago. The birfields were shot and was replaced last week. Since then I have been hearing some strange sounds that I need help and advise with. THere were no problem sounds before the replacement. I have done about 300km since the birfield replacement. I also fitted the 2.5" OME Kit with castor correction kit 800km's ago. There were no sounds then either but I did not drive the vehicle long enough to be sure.

At 80km/h to 85km/h there is a slight subtle rumble coming from the front. This is nothing serious and does not bother but it is a new sound.

At +110km/h there is a distinct rumble that can be heard and can be felt in the steering wheel and and also at once feet. The rumble is worse at times than other. On top of this, at some times only, one one can hear a grrrrrrgrrrrrchirp sound. To me it sounds like it is coming from the front. Perhaps the drive shaft but could be somewhere else. When I freewheel with the clutch in the sound stays. It almost sounds like a dry bearing that gets stuck (grrrr grrrr) and then loosen up with a chirp sound. This rumble and grr sound can only be heard from 100km/h onwards. When the sound is there and I tap off the fuel the sound stays as the engine is running of back pressure.

The wheel bearings were repacked and greased when I got the vehicle. There is no sound when one drives into a corner, normally associated with bearing failure. ( at cornering speed, not 130km/h). I had the wheel allignment and balancing done as well and it made no difference to the sound.

I have checked the exhaust and brackets which are fine.
I have the front wheels moved to the back which made no difference.\
I have checked if the exhuast is touching the drive shaft

What do you advise? I am feeling a tad frustrated with this one. i have search the forum for vibration tips and found many. With my limited knowledge I tried some and ruled out the more obvious ones. My biggest concern is the metal on metal sound. Help

Morne from South Africa, Cape Town
 
Just a quick further note. My 105 Series has a sold front axle and sold rear axle so it perhaps a little bit different than the 100 series described in most of the posts.
 
I spoke to my mechanic this morning. He thinks it might be a universal joint. Your comments please?
 
If I were you, I would post this in the 80 section for a look. Here is why: most of the 100 series guys here have IFS so any front end issue related to a 100 series and a SFA is unknown or not exoerienced. Your front end resembles the 80's front end more and I bet they would have some good insight.

Did you replace your shocks when you did your lift? Maybe your caster correction was not completed right-it will cause the rumble issues at higher speeds on SFA's
 
thanks jukelemon. it makes sense to post it in the 80 series section
 
Jukelemon said:
If I were you, I would post this in the 80 section for a look. Here is why: most of the 100 series guys here have IFS so any front end issue related to a 100 series and a SFA is unknown or not exoerienced. Your front end resembles the 80's front end more and I bet they would have some good insight.

Smart. Smart. Great advice. :beer:
 
Gday Morne.
Those noises sound similar to the ones I was getting on my 98 live axle after I installed a 5 inch lift. I used caster correction plates on the diff which brought the angle of the drive shaft on the diff end back to spec but the angle off the transfer case was too extreme. I sourced a doudle cardan joint from a hilux(I'm not sure which model but the wrecker knew straight away which one I was after) with the same hole pattern as the front flange of the transfer case and had it fitted and balanced on my original shaft. Hey presto no more vibrations. I'm still a bit of a newby to all this so your problem may be completely different but I hope this helps. Phil.
 
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I had a similar rumble on my 86 4runner after installing a 2" OME lift. The original leaf springs were more like 3" before they eventually settled down to 2". Anyways, I'd get a vibration from the rear drive shaft around 35mph (60km/hr) in 4th gear, then again after shifting into 5th and going maybe 80-90 km/hr. I figured out that the driveline angles were way off (like 3-5 deg) due to the lift. The flat vertical surface on the pinion flange behind the U-joint needs to be parallel with the same surface on the transfer case. I reduced the problem (eliminated the rumble at 35mph but still get some around 80km/hr in 5th gear until I get the engine rpm's/speed up) using a 3 deg aluminum shim between the spring perch and spring to "rotate" the rear diff in a way so the pinion flange and t-case flange are parallel. Since your 105 has coil springs, I'm not exactly sure what the remedy for that is...maybe longer lateral arms/rods or whatever holds the axle in place? Normally on a 2" lift, you shouldn't need this, but the geometry does change a little. I'm not sure if your springs have settled, either. Mine didn't until 6 months later.
 
Thanks Jim

My coils are still settling. I also stuffed up my tyres and will be replacing all 4. I think this might be part of the problem. Their was no noise after fitting the OME kit so I can only assume it is something else that changed.
 
Bongani,

I know it’s been a while since you posted this, but did you find a solution. I’m currently experiencing the exact same symptoms you did, and don’t know what it is.

Thanks

Jesper
 

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