Intermittent vibration above 50 mph

Vibration above 50mph usually means u joint right? I think something else is wrong. A u-joint vibration problem would go away if i took my foot off the gas and stopped accelerating ( while remaining above 50mph). The vibration i am experiencing now is different, it vibrates even when just coasting, above 50 mph. To make the problem weirder, it is an intermittent problem. It doesnt do it all the time. Any clues? please. thanks, Dan

 

I wouldn't rule anything out until it has been thoroughly inspected. Have you checked all the mounts?

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Yeah, a u-joint vibration usually goes away when coasting. You can get a clunk when putting it in drive or reverse too.

So how did you rule out the brakes/wheels/tires? Those are the first culprits.

Seems like a few people have found the drive shaft, if it has a rubber insert in it, can go bad.

 

could also be tires / rotors/etc out of balance....as well

 

I had the exact same issue. It was a u-joint. Replaced it and all is well.

 

If the u-joint does not help, it could be your driveshaft out of balance. TRUST me I have been through this with 2 of 4runners. They make the shafts with this RUBBER piece in it and there is no way to replace it. They get out of balance. It is SOO annoying.

 

A loose rear differential pinion nut can cause a vibration.