I have 1995 4runner, with 33x12.5, lifted 160k miles. I bought used and it was mostly well taken care of. For reasons unknown, the truck will shake above 45 mph. I checked front end and had 2nd person help check, all the parts are practically new and everything looks and feels tight. Above 45 mph it starts to shake as if the driveshaft is out of balance. Driveshaft looks straight without any obvious dents or anything. I am not expecting this to ride as smooth as a new car, of course. But this shaking has me a little nervous.

I removed driver's side wheel and brake drum. The hub/axel shaft seems to have about 3/16" of play front-to-back and top-to-bottom. One person told me, it's ok to have some play in it. Another person told me it should not have ANY play in it at all. I checked with the previous owner, he said the rear wheel bearings had not been replaced.

So I'm posting on here to get other opinions. Is a little play in that back axle usual, or is that a sign I must replace bearings immediately?

 

Some small in and out play is normal, not 3/16in though.

There should be virtually no up and down or side to side play.

You've got a bad bearing for sure.

Usually when they are that far gone, there is gear oil leaking out onto the brake shoes.

 

Ok. If there was oil, I did not see anything obvious. If anything the inside looked remarkably clean and unused. I looked in there to try and figure out why parking breaks had no effect. While it was open I shook the hub axel, found a little play back and fourth. Well, I got some work to do.... Thanks for advice.