Rear end vibration 00 4 Runner

[Parker Chambliss]

2004 Toyota SR% 2WD - 92K miles

I recently have developed a vibration in my rear end that makes a noise very similar to a vehicle with large tires on it at high speeds (low roar/hum). I took my vehicle into my mechanic and he subsequently replaced the u joints and the pinion bearings (??) thinking that was the problem.

However, after picking up the vehicle and driving it again, the low end vibrations were gone, but the noise and slight vibration was still present at speeds in the 60-70 mph range. I took the car back and my mechanic indicated that the bearing shims (???) needed to be adjusted. He said that sometimes the toyota's are a little trickier that the domestic vehicles because they do not have pins to line the bearings up (??). Following his logic, I returned the vehicle for adjustement. However, I got a call a day later indicating that the bearing had been adjusted, and he could not get it to seat all the way becuase it looked like the rear end (???) had been worn down slightly where the bearing sits. In his opinion, the only repair would be to replace the rear end at approx. $1000 (minus the work that had already been done).

I ask him if it was unusual for a toyota to need this sort of replacement at 92,000 miles. He indicated it was, however he did not specialize in toyotas. My question to you is as follows:

Is this an unusal problem/necessaryrepair?

Other Toyota owners tell me that major repairs like this are unusual at 92K miles. I was rear ended 10 months ago, and they repalaced the rear hatch and the bumper, but I am beginning to think this problem may go back to the accident (could it have taken ten months for the slight problem to manifest itself?). My insurer has inspected the car, but feels like this is a maintenance issue rather than a result of the accident. Can any of you familiar with the 2000 4 Runners either confrim/deny that this problem is rarely/never encountered at the 92Kmiles ?

Thanks in advance to all that can provide any guidance or advice, as I prepare to discuss this further with the insurance company and try and sort thru whether or not I should follow my mechanics advice or take it to the dealership for their opinion (assuming the repair cost will be coming out of my pocket)

Parker

[Brian R.]

I would bring it to another mechanic you can trust for a second opinion. Unless you bent the frame, there is no way that collision caused any damage to the driveshaft or rear end.

[Parker Chambliss]

I have gotten two second opinions and offer the following:

Both mechanic's agree that my rear-end different (chunk?) need to be replaced. My question to you all is as follows:

Is this a problem that occaisionally comes up with 4 runners at 90K miles? I purchased the Toyota with the tought in mind that I would not need major repairs before 100K.

As I stated before, I was hit from the rear end (on my trailer hitch/bumper/tail gate by a Tahoe 10 months ago). Could it have misaligned something that would cause the differental to wear down. My insurance company is willing to listen, but the are skeptical that this is accident related.

The repair is $1400 and it just does not seem like a typical repair for a reliable car like a toyota, and it seems coincidental that it is happening in the general area as my accident.

Before I give up on my claim, I wanted to post this question. Any insight /advice you can offer would be helpful.

Note: If it is not accident related, should I write Toyota inquiring why the differential went bad at 90K, or should I give up and eat the $1750 of associated repairs and call it bad luck.

thx in advance,

Parker

[Brian R.]

The differential in 4Runners is an open differential because they are the most reliable and basically last forever if you change the fluid in them periodically. If you bought the truck used, it is possible that someone did something to the differential before you owned it and set it up incorrectly and that is why it gave out. I guess it is possible Toyota set it up incorrectly and it wore our prematurely. In either of these cases, I believe you will have to pay for the repairs.

As I said previously, it is very difficult to see how you could have damaged the differential in that accident without bending the frame. The frame would absorb all the impact from a rear-end collision (along with body panels). If the frame is not bent, then the worst the differential saw was a shock from the collision, but the shock would have been distributed over the axle mounts and the case, not the gears or pinion bearing - which apparently wore out. I am no expert, but I guess I agree with your insurance agent.

If the collision misaligned something, it is your frame and a body shop can easily see that. Take it to a body shop and determine if there is any frame damage. If there is, then you have a possibility of getting the claim from your insurance.

[deeezldoc]

It seems as if I have the exact same problem that you do. I have brand new Michelin LTX that have been balanced and rebalanced with only slight improvement. I just put shocks and struts in last weekend and I still have a vibration and the "big tire" sound starting about 65 and steady over that. Kind of frustrating-what happened with yours ?


Thanks
Charles

[Parker Chambliss]

Unfortunately, I had three different mechanics try and work it out, to no avail. Replaced the u-joints twice, once with generic joints and the second time with Toyota joints, had the drive-line/shaft balanced twice, replaced the rear differential, and all to no avail. I ultimately traded it in, since the 2004 rebates were so appealing and I was really frustrated. Several people have told me since I traded it in that it may have been in the wheel bearings (a common problem)?

The bottom-line, before you spend big money tinkering with the drive-line components (rear-end,drive-shaft, ect..) look at the wheels. I guess since you just got new tires, that eliminates that component. Also, I might reccomend biting the bullet and taking it to Toyota, rather than saving a few bucks with a general mechanic. I think this problem is something only a toyota specialist will be able to solve. I gave up becuase so much had already been invested, and I was just frustrated. With a little more perservance, I probably would have gotten it solved.

Good luck.

Parker

[HVFD-Bob]

Originally Posted by deeezldoc

It seems as if I have the exact same problem that you do. I have brand new Michelin LTX that have been balanced and rebalanced with only slight improvement. I just put shocks and struts in last weekend and I still have a vibration and the "big tire" sound starting about 65 and steady over that. Kind of frustrating-what happened with yours ?


Thanks
Charles

I have a 2000 Limited with 100,000 miles and 20,000 on Michelin LTX tires and about the same problem. I also have them balanced but of no help. I have noticed it more when the truck is cold for the first 10 miles but does not totally go away. I have also noted that the rumble goes away when in 4WD. I think it must have something to do with the transfer case and 4WD. Anybody else having this problem?

Bob