Hello Everybody, I picked up my first tacoma today. Its a 2000 ext cab v6 4x4 auto. (I have an 88 and 93 single cab 2x4)
It has a lot of problems, but I got a good deal on it. The first thing I want to fix though is that it shakes very badly around 50 mph, it shakes so bad that 5th gear hardly accelerates. I've been overdriving up to 65 and then putting it in 5th, and at this speed in 5th gear it still shakes some but not nearly as bad. Any ideas on what could cause this would be appreciated. I'm thinking carrier bearings or u joints, but don't know if there is any way to test this? Thanks

 

Can you feel it more in the steering wheel or in your seat?

If it feels really bad in your steering wheel, its most likely your front end... Feel it in your seat more or even just as much as the steering wheel? I would assume its a drive train issue.

I recently had a very similar issue in my '00 4runner. It had a very mild vibration you could barely notice until around 90km/h and then it felt like you were driving on the rumble strip it would vibrate so bad. Then at around 115 km/h it would subside and be very mild at all speeds over this. I definitely do not recommend driving over 110 to reduce the vibration (but i wont lie and say I didn't haha). Also, right before I took it in it started making a good clunk from the driveshaft every time i would shift from reverse into drive after driving in reverse for any distance.

I would consider getting your wheels/tires balanced before assuming its your u joints or carriers, as it is relatively cheap and could definitely be your issue. Also couldn't hurt to crawl under and see if you have any excessive play in your driveshaft. But that being said, it only cost me just over $300 CAD to get my u-joint replaced at my local dealership, so hopefully worst case scenario that's all your dealing with. For what it's worth, my dealership charged me 1.2 hours for the fix, which i thought was fair.

Good luck!

 

I'd check tire balance first. Then get under truck and see if anything looks loose or out of the ordinary, it could be any number of things.

 

Good idea on the tire balance highonpottery... /s

 

Before you do anything, why don't you put the transmission in neutral, jack up one of the rear wheels and see if you can turn the wheel by hand. It should turn with minimal noise and rubbing (a very slight bit of rubbing is okay). Then do the same with the other rear tire.

If the wheel(s) is hard to turn and you hear it rubbing on something, then back off the brake adjustment through the brake backing plate to free up the wheel(s).

I had that problem and I fixed it this way, so I just thought I would possibly save you some work.