Vibration at 25 to 30 mph

Just noticed a vibration at 25 to 30 mph that feels like driving on corrugated road. It only happens between the speeds I mentioned. No new tires, rims or anything added. Nothing stuck to rims. I actually though it was the road until I got on to smooth surface and replicated it several times. Any thoughts?

 

Weight fell off a tire and you need a re-balance?

 

Man, I did not think about that at all. Would it occur at that speed only then?...cause all other range of speed no vibration

 

And thank you for the reply...I really appreciate that

 

Yeah I just got new tires last week and I saw vibes from 55-65mph. Ok at other speeds. When an unbalanced tire hits a resonance frequency with the rest of the truck, that's when a vibe shows up. It can be pretty random (ie. various speeds). It can even be intermittent. You feel it for 100 feet and it goes away for 100 feet, but that's typically at higher speeds. I went back for a re-balance and it was fine after that. Vibe gone.

I'm not saying that's what your problem is, I could be way off. But definitely something to check. Weights can and do fall off.

If I had a vibe appear suddenly, a tire balance is a good place to start. Basically, eliminate variables until you find the vibe. You can also rotate tires to see if the vibe changes.

Sometimes if a weight falls off, you won't feel a vibe until the tire starts to show some uneven wear. Are the edges of your tread (inner and outer) all even?

Don't mean to send you on a wild goose chase, but that could be where you're headed, my friend. Check the easy stuff first.

 

I think you are correct. Try the easy stuff first. I noticed everything you mentioned.. It varies a bit depending on how fast I get up to the speed...sometimes it wont even happen or I get less or more vibrating. No wear on tires causse this just happened yesterday and it could be I went over rough road ( NY roads suck) causing a balance to fall off. It took me a while to figure out it was my truck cause the damn roads are so rough. Thanks my friend, you pointed me in the right direction. Im off to the shop to get a balance and rotation...its time anyways. Kudos to you for that advice!!

 

I hope it solves your problem but it might not. Come back to the forum for further trouble-shooting.

 

I just had rotors and brakes replaced today since I'm trying to troubleshoot the vibration anyways....they were sitting at home. I made the investment and got Powerstop rotors and brakes. So after rotors,brake and tire rotation, Im still having the vibration around the same speed. One thing to note is that after balancing was done, the guy at the shop said he is not 100% because these wheels require high speed balancing. So I'm sitting at Toyota waiting for a diagnosis. I have to suck it up and pay the $130 if I wanna know what the heck is happening here. This truck has an extended to 150K. I've only just done 57K.

I'm hoping it this is just wheels as you suggested.

Thanks

 

How do like the Powerstops?

 

They feel way better than stock. They feel firm and there are no squeaks.

 

Picking up from where I left off. The tech at Toyota said I have a bent rim. He changed out with my spare. Problem still exists. Next option is getting the wheels rebalanced. He said there are no drivetrain problems. Im stumpted on this right now.

 

Bummer. At least you're removing some possibilities from the equation. Vibes can be tough to track.

 

Torque converter shudder. Change your Trans fluid, I've cured this problem before. if a fluid change doesn't help will need a torque converter. I don't know why Toyota insists that WS is a lifetime fluid, this is a common problem across their product line, change the fluid 50-60k miles max.

 

Have you had the tires road forced balanced or just balanced? If not get them road force balanced.

http://www.motorweek.org/features/goss_garage/road_force_balancing

 

All very good suggestions...may have just given me a good clue with the trans fluid though. I dont get a shudder more like a vibration but it may travel through the chassis and feel like a vibe rather than a shudder. I had a Lincoln Navi with a shudder. I changed the tranny fluid and that corrected the problem. My expedition had an intermittent rocking shaking at very slow speeds. Whats with these damn trannies.

 

I dont drive aggressively and I do regular maint....what gives!!

 

Clueless on road force balanced. Enlighten please!!

 

BTW, my spare even though full size is an ugly ass yellow 20in...no way I was keeping that on. Changed it back to my regular wheel!!

 

Road force is a machine that places about 1200lbs of pressure to the tire tread as it spins on the balancer. It replicates the weight of the vehicle on the wheel/tire to give you a "real world" balance, for lack of a better term.

If the dealer did the balancing, it's probably road forced. Independent guys with a small repair shop might not have a road force balancer.

 

Click the link and Goss explains it. Also you would be surprised about how many dealers don't do this.

 

Thanks guys,sorry for the late reply but been frustrated with the results so far from Toyota.
They found a leaking drive shaft and it has to be replaced. They said today, now its Tues to Thurs for the part replacement. In the meantime I'm renting a vehicle cause they have no loaners. What's really bugging me is that they said it was a bent wheel at first which was wrong because the spare was used and it was the same vibration. Took them two days to find a leaking drive shaft. Now they tell me I can pick up the vehicle and use it...in the meantime. Would anyone drive a vehicle with a leaking drive shaft and vibration that can ultimately damage seals on both the tranny and the differential.

 

I was just curious if this fixed you problem in its entirety. I'm having what I believe is the same issue.

Between 25-35mph at a gradual acceleration the front end seems to shake, if I accelerate moderately or quickly there is no shake. II rea that the issue was most likely the torque converter but I'm not sure. I recently brought my vehicle to Milstead, explained the issue in detail, $1300 later, and two solenoids, still have the same issue..

 

Sorry have been lacking in response to this thread. After the drive shaft was replaced the problem still reoccured. I had them change the tranny fluid and that worked. This vehicle apparently did not have a flush since it was purchased. The tech at Toyota did not suggest it since he didnt notice the vibration....but that worked. Problem resolved!! Hope that helps

 

Ah well they did a full flush on mine, dropped and cleaned the pan while changing the solenoids out they claimed were bad. The shuttering / shaking seems a little worse now afterwards, my issue may be a little different than yours..

I suppose I'll explore the drive shaft next.

I appreciate the reply!

 

Im assuming you had all the wheels n tires checked for balance or out of round. I would also check the half shafts if full time 4 wheel.

 

I have not had the tires checked but if I had something damaged or out of balance, would that transmit into the steering wheel or be more noticable at higher speeds? My 4 Runner is only 2W drive also.

 

It is kind of funny to me how people do not take tire balancing as a true talent in the industry. If i was doing it i would be king, and if i was not, then i would find out why. Hey, work ethics ehh.

 

Hey Slvr,

I can try rotating the fronts to the back this weekend while as I check a few other things, if the issue goes away in the front end then I am all for bring it in to have the tires checked. Definitely cannot hurt at this point.

 

Hey Kenny, wondering if flushing the transmission fluid worked for you? I just noticed a vibration like you described in my 2011 4Runner, I was thinking transmission because I notice the vibration just as it shifts from 2nd/3rd around 30 miles an hour.
I also just had my tires rotated and I believe they need a balance.. but worried it’s the transmission, so just curious if you found a solution? Thank you so much for any advice you can offer

 

do the transmission fluid replacement procedure if you have 120K miles on it...pan drop / clean filter screen//pan replace all the fluid transfer process.
must use the proper Toyota fluid.. no aftermarket .
many had shudder shift issues above 170K miles ..