'00 Taco 4wd fnt end susp. vibration

[rab1576]

Idled over gravel road with small bumps in 2wd and felt vibration at my feet as well as passenger side. Gets worse with rougher terrain even at idle speeds. Bumps not big enough to rock motor so don't think motor mounts are the problem. Checked shocks...feel fine. Mechanic put in on the rack and looked it over, but didn't drive it. Tie rods slightly loose but mechanic says they have some miles left...no charge. Springs appear Ok. No vertical movement so bearings Ok. Sway bar looks fine. What are we missing??

[sllim25]

I ran into the same problem with my 95 and it ended up being the axel where it ties into the wheel, the metal inside the coiled rubber part had snaped. Replaced it for around 600. It also could be the rocker arm. Just a thought.

[rab1576]

thanks...thankfully still under warranty, but I didn't want to have another mechanic tell me I was crazy. I even had my daughter listen for it this morning and she heard it and felt it, so I'm not going nuts.

[sllim25]

not a problem.....I am lucking that my best friend's father owns a mechanic shop, at first he didn't hear or feel it but then put it up on the lift and moved that part and could tell it was broke. Make sure that your mechanic does this. I don't know what the part was called but it looks like the coiled rubber stuf on shocks, but it is black. The metal part that broke is under there. I will look tonight to see if I have the invoice and give you the name of it later.

[rab1576]

It's called a tie rod end. It is what ties the steering column (rack and pinion) to the wheels. That part isn't broken on mine. They are a bit looser than brand new so they allow the wheels to move left and right a bit, but that isn't the problem with mine. I'm going to bring it in before my warranty expires and force them to fix it. I just hate not knowing anything to tell them to speed up the troubleshooting process.

[rab1576]

Follow up...tie rod ends replaced. Never trust a mechanic who tells you a little play in the tie rod ends is OK. My truck stopped tracking side to side and no more rattle.

[sllim25]

Great to hear man. I am glad that I was some help. Talk with you later.