Slight Vibrations at 15-30ish mph

Hey all. I’ll get straight to the point, I am getting a slight vibration/noise in the truck at around 15-30ish mph. It happens in both 2wd and 4wd. I have bilstein 6112/5160’s with the Icon 51200 1.5” AAL in the rear, with JBA upper control arms (these were just installed so I know they aren’t the issue) No diff drop/carrier drop

The truck had made this noise even before the lift but I feel like it has gotten slightly worse after the lift (could just be placebo effect). I’ve actually taken it to Toyota a year or so ago and had them give it a shake down to find out the cause of the noise and they told me it was just the tires, so I just ignored it. At the time I had been running Goodyear duratracs in the stock size, but after the lift I moved up to 285/75/18 Toyo R/T.

the truck now has around 65,000 miles on it so I am out of factory warranty, but I do have an extended warranty so I’m not too worried about it.

Because the noise happens in both 2x4 and 4x4 I do not suspect it is the needle bearing, however I do plan on doing this eventually anyway.

The noise isn’t really a “wub wub wub” but a constant low growl. Almost unnoticeable but I’m a perfectionist type and I certainly notice it. It’s more of a vibration in the floorboards, than an actual noise. It either goes away at higher speeds or I just can’t hear it anymore. I notice it the most when I’m either coasting or upon deceleration. I am aware of the TSB for earlier year tundras but I don’t think mine will be covered under that because it is a 2018. Has anyone had luck with later year trucks getting the tsb repair? If it is my front diff I hope the dealer will realize they incorrectly diagnosed it before my factory warranty was up and will cover it. (I have all the paperwork saved - I keep everything.) I’ve never had to deal with aftermarket warranty’s and I don’t really want to. Just got a good deal on one when I got the truck.

I planned on keeping this truck a long time and doing lots of overland camping/hunting ect. But the vibration is making me feel like I can’t trust it. Hopefully it’s something simple

Anyone experience anything similar?
What did you do to fix?
Have a great weekend everyone.

 

I am by no means an expert but maybe a bad u joint? Had a bad one on a 4Runner that sounded similar. I brought it to a few mechanics that could not diagnose it…brought it to this well know shade tree mechanic. He drove it 10 foot and knew..

Unfortunately many mechanics are going to blame it on the lift (I know you had the vibration before but they are not going to believe you; I do). Trust it, but it’s going to take more leg work…best of luck OP!

 

Check your tires again. Run your hand over the tread and check for uneven lug height. The Toyo R/T is a pretty aggressive tire and could be just the tires.

If your absolutely sure it's not the tires then the next possibility is a rear or front wheel bearing. Bring it back to the dealer and have them run it on the hoist in four wheel drive and use a stethoscope to find the bad bearing.

 

Does it go away in turns? If it goes away or changes sound when you load or unload it in a turn, it’s probably a wheel bearing

 

That's true for a front bearing but not so much from a rear bearing.

 

I’ve had it go away for rear bearings too. Not on a truck though. Why would it be any different?

 

Do you feel the vibration in the steering wheel or brakes at those speeds or is it just a sound and constant vibration?

I don’t think it’s your needle bearing. I would check the wheel bearings like the others suggested.

 

I mostly feel the vibrations through the floor with my feet, nothing really on the steering wheel or pedals. The sound/vibration does change a bit in turns. It gets most noticeable on hard deceleration and then disappears below 15ish mph. I don’t think it has anything to do with the brakes, as there is no vibration in the pedal, and I had a full front brake job maybe 6 months ago and no problems with that

 

It is. Just replaced my right rear and the noise was no different loaded or unloaded. It was found by putting the truck on a lift and bringing it up to speed. The noise from the right rear was bad enough that a stethoscope wasn’t needed.

 

Oh I don’t doubt what you were saying. I was just asking the reasoning behind it being different. I guess the front is just loaded up more in turns, especially with a truck since all the weight is up front.

 

I would install the carrier bearing kit and see what happens.

 

I’ll probably end up doing that.

 

Any update on this?

 

No update. I installed the ECGS bushing and it did absolutely nothing. I’m sure it’s good that it’s in there though. Still experiencing the vibration. I’ve noticed it more while turning left, but if I’m not thinking about it I don’t notice it at all. Almost makes me want to trade the truck in, drives me insane.

 

Did you ever solve this? I have exact same issue.