After installing a ToyTech 3” lift (front spacers & OME rear coils) on my 1997 4Runner SR5, on my first drive I noticed that every time I let off the gas pedal just enough to keep a constant speed (70 miles per hour), I can hear a very subtle vibration noise. Whatever the noise may be, I can sense it through the gas pedal as well. It almost sounds like U-Joints going bad. At soon as I accelerate or slow down, the noise will stop. This had never happened before, only right after the lift install. Help Please!!!

 

Have you done an alignment?
Check all bolts.

 

I sure got an aligment right after the lift install. Yesterday I checked all the bolts, front and back every thing was ok. Still I have the same noise, it only happens between 60-70 miles per hour and only when there is no load on the transmission. For example, If I shift into neutral and let it coast or when in drive and pressing the gas pedal just enough to keep a constant speed, thats when the noise is most noticeable. When on gear and either accelerate or let off the gas pedal the noise goes away regardless of the speed. Below 60mph whether on gear or not the noise stops.

 

a friend of mine just installed a 4.5 in lift on his jeep it was doing tha samething they told him he needed to install a slip yoak eliminator

 

Check your U-Joints and drivrtrain components.

 

Sounds to me like you need to lube your drive shaft zerks!

 

Yeah.

 

You touch the driveline at all? Make sure it is phased properly?

 

Lube your zerks, then drive around, and report back!

 

check your u joints, make sure all the bolts on your drive shaft are tight

 

Well, In order to install the OME Coils i had to disconnect the top strut bars and the one that goes across. i also disconnected the sway bar links. After the new coils were installed evrything reconnected with no problems. I never did any work on the driveline. A friend told me that the noise could be coming from the U-Joints. He explained to me that since they probably the factory ones, and since the angle on the driveline has changed, the noise is caused by the wear out u-Joint rotaring at a different angle. Is this an accurate diagnostic. I'll be inspecting the U-Joints tomorrow, It rain all day today in Tehachapi Ca.

 

I am 99.9999% sure its your u joints! ussually they break if your diff doesnt align with your tranny or transfercase and you have a lift. if its your rear you can remove it and use 4 wheel drive (like a front wheel drive truck) haha. if its on your front driveshaft you can just remove it. trail survival school.

 

Or he could just replace the u-joint.

 

Very rarely do I read about someone needing to swap their U-joints out after a lift. Once again, just lube them up. It sounds as if you've never done it. It should be done once a year.

 

yea take off the drive shaft untill he has the money or time to fix the u joint. i have done it a million times.

 

Well, I had a chance to inspect the drive shaft today and sure enough, I have a bad front U-Joint. I already have them and will be replacing them this weekend. Thanks everyone for your replies!!!