Shake @ 80 MPH

I get a shake/vibration at 80MPH and above. Ive Nitto Terra grapplers for 7 years now (no issues before), All drivetrain maintenance is up to date. Ive 2013 Trail 4WD, 43K on odo. Could Front diff needle bearings cause that? Drive Shaft? Rear Bearings? Any ideas?

 

Before all the nannies get in and tell you just not to drive that fast, check this stuff.

Tire balance, bent wheel...you can try a road force balance to see if it helps.
Driveshaft is ok likely unless you offroad, did you ding it up a little?
You can check needle bearing if you get the vibes around 30 - 40 and engage 4High. If it goes away, it's the needle bearing.
Bearings can cause shake for sure, if you drove through a bunch of water it's super possible. They would also make an annoying undulating noise at speed and might go away when you veer one direction or another (unless they are both gone).

 

Lost a wheel weight, maybe?

 

This!

And, this! This gas happened to me several times.

 

Even the best tires have a lifespan. 7 years out of those Nittos is great, but they might be at the end of their life...

 

its your tires.... id bet

 

Also, slow down.

 

Lol your profile pic perfectly looks like you'd look when you said that.

 

Mine is silky smooth at 90.

 

I actually got clocked at 98 in Georgia by my best friend, the state trooper who let me off with a warning. I went 70 through the rest of the state.

 

How stable does the Runner feel at speed? I may have to find out!

 

It's surprisingly comfortable at 80-90. Above that it starts to feel a little sketchy. I don't recommend cruising that fast when there's other traffic around, though.

 

The trouble with high speeds like that is that there is no room for error, or reaction time if anything happens to alter your trajectory. A 4 Runner has 8 air bags, so that helps, if something bad happens, but you probably should be wearing a crash helmet as well. Of course, safety is more than personal safety and perception of risk. It’s about respecting others and their rights as well.

 

Which is why I said that I don't recommend those speeds when other traffic is around.

 

If the shop that your using to balance your tires is not using this system, that is your problem. Show them this video and ask if they are using a system like this. If they are not, you will never get consistant
good results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95-2PnLKVA0

 

Right tool for the job, gentlemen.

The ZR1/AMG/M series forums are next door. Send the Ferrari guy asking if 285/70/17's will rub over here.

 

Spoken like someone who's never bajaed before!!!!!

 

You know they "Baja" in things like this, not 5000 pound minivans right?

 

I'd respond, but first I have to know what the heck in tarnation "bajaed"ing is? Not even the all knowing Google can tell me.

Never mind, evidently @mynameistory is translating

 

If 85-90 is so ridiculous, then 80 really isn't far behind. IMO, it comes down to the conditions. Traffic all around, you probably want to slow down a bit. Nobody around, flat empty road, 80-85 isn't so unreasonable.

I also think this comes down to the driver as well. At 80+MPH, I am focused on the road and nothing else. A distracted driver in ANY car at 80/90 MPH is no good.

 

No illusions on influencing anyone about anything.

Understand the "I got this" thought process.

Just used enough 1/2 drive ratchets as hammers/2 ton jacks to lift 5 tons of weight/etc./etc./etc. to have finally come to appreciate the right tool for the job.

Old enough to finally do the "can you/should you" thing. Didn't get here without going through there.

 

Oh, hopefully I'll be grown up someday, too.

Or, maybe I started out conservative and worked my way up to realizing what my vehicle is capable of.

As I've said, it's situational. I also feel way more confident in the 4runner at 80 than my Silverado (work truck).

I've also been driving for over 20 years and driven more miles than most would in 40 years.

I don't use a ratchet as a hammer. And, I would never overload a jack or jack-stand.

I guess everyone has their own standard for risk.

 

My 5000 lbs minivan costs about 1/10 as much. Should I, eh. Do I, less than I'd like. Did I? Yep. Will I again? No promises.

 

You've hit 3 digit speeds on dirt?

 

We travel to Georgia or Florida in the winter sometimes. In certain areas of the U.S if you are not going 80 mph or so, your gonna get run over! I have over 3 million miles of safe driving in commercial vehicles,(semis). For the most part those miles are spent at 70mph or less, your on "high alert", and really "wired in" to what's at hand. So... the one thing I noticed is when, like Thatbassguy said.... "not when other traffic is around." If everyone around you is going 80mph, and you want to go say 65mph, chances are greater that someone hits you than if you were going with the flow. It may not feel "comfortable" going 80mph all day, but I would rather go that speed for a little while, than get hit in the ass by some numbnuts who misjudged my speed. In short; different applications for different situations.... and adjust! P.S.-Let's try and get along on the road... and off the road as well!

 

Nope, I don't let other drivers intimidate me. I drive the speed limit, in the slow lane if I feel like being courteous. Everyone else can suck wind.

 

I'm glad you practice safe driving techniques, and you are right, drive at your own pace... in a few instances you can go faster as to not "obstruct" traffic. All it takes is one guy who will try and blow around you in the slow lane, then you both suck wind. just sayin'. What I mean is that impatient guy out there exists, and if I go 75-80 to avoid "close contact" momentarily, so be it, it does not not mean going 80 all day or when you feel like being courteous.

 

You are correct . If you dont go flow with traffic you are higher % causes accidents. Well its already in the driving test if some ppl have forgotten.

 

This thread got interesting. There's nothing wrong with driving slow in the slow lane. But, slow drivers who camp out in the left lane are just as dangerous as anyone else.