'92 4x4: BAD rumble between 40-55MPH?

[Jobu]

Got a question, guys.

My 1992 4x4 Pickup has developed this problem over the last month. When I reach 3rd or 4th gear between the ranges of about 40 and 55 MPH, the entire front end of the truck rumbles and shimmies and shakes like it's going to fall apart. It skips the CD player, change flies out of the ashtray. I mean, it's pretty bad. Does anyone have an idea as to what this problem relates to?

I know it's not an alignment problem, because the truck was just realigned with four new tires. It's seems to be a mechanical thing - transmission, maybe? The rumble is only present while I'm accelerating or braking. If just I take my foot off the the pedals, it's smooth.

Help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[natenelsen]

Jack up the front end, and shake out the whole front end. Look for andy thing that is loose. Wheel bearings, Tie rods, Idler (this goes bad often on these trucks) Pitman. Look for a bent rim. Did the wheels throw a weight? Check the drive train over for obvious damage, and if none is found then check the rear of the truck over carefully. It is most likely in the suspension/wheels somewhere.

It is definatly a rotating mass. Is the vibration right/left, front/back, or up/down? Oh yeah, I know this sounds stupid but, check your lug nuts, I have had a shop put them on loose before.

Please leave a note here on the board if this helps or not, by doing that you help other folks later
Nate

[Jobu]

Figured out what the problem was ... the hard way. I was driving at about 70MPH down the interstate, when all the sudden, I hear the worst metallic crash I think I've ever heard in my life. Transmission goes dead. Obviously I'm thinking the worst here. I pull over on the side of the road, look under the truck, and the driveshaft is laying on the pavement, still attached at the front end. I took everything off, put it in 4-wheel drive and got home. Luckily I was able to find a nice driveshaft for $100 at a local junkyard.

So, I guess the lesson is, if you've got a shake like this one, check the shaft. (And don't wait a month until the u-bolt snaps at it falls out - this one could have been a lot worse.)

[CougKid3030]

Ha. I was just about to say, check all you're U joints/bolts. Its fairly easy to check/replace them, and they can give problems to ANY part of your truck/car.

[Kyle4130]

you should read my problem. i have the same exact thing going on. now from reading what youve talked about maybe its my u-joints next to the transfer case rather than back by the rear axle where i just had one replaced. ill check it out.

Originally Posted by natenelsen

Jack up the front end, and shake out the whole front end. Look for andy thing that is loose. Wheel bearings, Tie rods, Idler (this goes bad often on these trucks) Pitman. Look for a bent rim. Did the wheels throw a weight? Check the drive train over for obvious damage, and if none is found then check the rear of the truck over carefully. It is most likely in the suspension/wheels somewhere.

It is definatly a rotating mass. Is the vibration right/left, front/back, or up/down? Oh yeah, I know this sounds stupid but, check your lug nuts, I have had a shop put them on loose before.

Please leave a note here on the board if this helps or not, by doing that you help other folks later
Nate

[USAFCooper]

I am getting the same vibration. I was wondering what i need to fix/change/adjust so that my driveshaft doesn't end up on the freeway at 70 mph?

R-5

[Jobu]

Originally Posted by USAFCooper

I am getting the same vibration. I was wondering what i need to fix/change/adjust so that my driveshaft doesn't end up on the freeway at 70 mph?

R-5

Replace your u-joints, the things that hold the driveshaft on. They are like 20 bucks ... if you have a mechanic do it, might be 80-100.

[Kyle4130]

Originally Posted by USAFCooper

I am getting the same vibration. I was wondering what i need to fix/change/adjust so that my driveshaft doesn't end up on the freeway at 70 mph?

R-5

i had the same problem and checked all the u-joints and mechanics told me that my ujoint was broken in half which it obviously wasnt. what i found out, it was actually the pinion nut loose on the third member causing the flange to rattle against the 3rd member. had that tighted up and all the problems went away. that might be your problem.

[USAFCooper]

thanks for your advice, I am going to check that out tonight. I also want to remind all the 89-95 toyota Pickup owners that there is a factory recall dealing with the front end. the dealer is going to give you the runaround on the phone, so take it to them in person to set up an appointment.

R-5

[Kyle4130]

Originally Posted by USAFCooper

thanks for your advice, I am going to check that out tonight. I also want to remind all the 89-95 toyota Pickup owners that there is a factory recall dealing with the front end. the dealer is going to give you the runaround on the phone, so take it to them in person to set up an appointment.

R-5

what about on the front end. ifs...gone. oh and when you check that i doubt you will be able to tell if its loose, just tighten it up a bit. you dont wanter to over do it cause then your messing with your backlash and where your pinion sits on the ring gear.

[Jobu]

Here's all I could find on the recall .. Seems its only for the Pickup "deluxe", however, both two- and four-wheel drive.

Component: Steering: Linkages: Rod: Relay: Connecting
Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Consequence Summary: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

http://www.autosite.com/content/own/.../seriesid/4862

[Kyle4130]

ok, ya i remember reading about this once awhile back. before it got issued in oct. the steering relay rod..now does that have something to do with the idler arm or the steering in the IFS, or something to do with the steering column?