Hilux rear vibration at 1750-2000rpm

[v6XtraHilux]

Hey Guys,
Ive had this vibration/bumpiness coming from the rear of my 03 Hilux 3.4L V6 for some time, and now its way worse since doing a big towing trip up the coast.

I also find bearing grease (moly-lithium based stuff) in my rear diff when changing the diff oil. Its got a rear locker also, which co-incidently is leaking diff oil around the airlocker airhose in-socket. I have replaced and checked thoroughly the breather lines and they are clear.

Is there any way of checking without pulling the axles off/out if either of the rear axles are bent? Im guessing the bent axle has chopped out the bearing and/or seals in the diff casuing the grease leak and bent axle is casuing the massive vibration/bumpiness. The vibrations (feels more like the rear end is pushing the front end repeatledly) are most noticeable between 1750-2000 revs, usually 2-5th gear, and also most noticeable when backing off the gas, or when the engine is in the wrong gear and labouring around those revs.

Any suggestions? Ideas? Recommendations??

Cheers in advance
Karl

[v6XtraHilux]

bump

[DONK]

i have a similar problem in my 75 series ute. got it looked out but they reckon the diff is fine and think it may be the gear box but no way of telling unless u pull it out so stuff that. i aint doing it till i have to

[02-SR5]

I had exactly the same problem when I got my 2inch lift suspension fitted. Turned out to be the center bearing was flogged out. The suspension didnt do it, it just made more noticable because of the drive line angle of the rear drive shaft.

Check your centre bearing for free play. about 300 to replace from Toyota.

[Corindi]

Sounds like centre bearing to me. Have you checked it? My sons lux always weeps a bit of diff oil on a long trip and both him and I have blown centre bearings in the past 12 months.

[swampdog]

corindi is right sounds like the centre bearing genuine toyota seems to last longer then the after market ones done a couple myself it does flog out the yoke seal

[v6XtraHilux]

Thanks guys, havent had a chance to check out the centre bearing, but will try to do it tonight.

Can I check it with all wheels on the ground, or do I have to raise the back of the truck up?

Cheers

[Corindi]

Thanks guys, havent had a chance to check out the centre bearing, but will try to do it tonight.

Can I check it with all wheels on the ground, or do I have to raise the back of the truck up?

Cheers No need to jack it up. Just get under and grab the tail shaft near the centre bearing and give it a good shake. Mine is new and moves about 10mm up and down so I guess this is normal. When it was blown it moved about 50 mm and there was a clunking sound. Not only that but there were chunks of rubber pushing out from it. Hope this helps. Dave

[v6XtraHilux]

Had a look at the centre bearing last nite, it did move some 10-15mm I guess, all the rubber around the bearing was intact, so not really sure if its OK or not, some have said that 5mm is max free play, others 10mm.

Still yet to try the rear wheels up and check out for any wheel wobble, hopefully it wont be the issue!

[Corindi]

Had a look at the centre bearing last nite, it did move some 10-15mm I guess, all the rubber around the bearing was intact, so not really sure if its OK or not, some have said that 5mm is max free play, others 10mm.

Still yet to try the rear wheels up and check out for any wheel wobble, hopefully it wont be the issue! Probably depends on the vehicle. My 92 ln106 hilux had about 15 mm when new, but maybe my arms are stronger....joking

[v6XtraHilux]

Jacked the wheels up on the weekend, didnt see any noticable wobble from any of the wheels, so Im guessing the centre bearing could be making most of the wobble.

Im also guessing that since theres very little load on the wheels while jacked up that there wouldnt be much torque effect on the driveshaft to make the centre bearing wobble all over the place. Am I correct in this line of thinking?

I did see the front section of the driveshaft just ahead of the centre bearing look a bit wobbly.

How hard or easy is it to replace the centre bearing? Do I need any special tools? A press for instance??

Thanks

[v6XtraHilux]

Anybody know how hard to replace centre bearing???

Surely someone has done it???

Please??!!!!

[v6XtraHilux]

Check your centre bearing for free play. about 300 to replace from Toyota.


Well, finally got around to replacing the centre tailshaft bearing. Was quote $276 for the complete housing, rubber, and bearing, from Toyota. Got it done by a local mechanic, all up $166. One hours labour plus $88 for teh whole bearing assembly!! WTF Toyota????

Anyway, the vibration is 99% gone, and cant be happier, except for almost being scammed by Toyo. Lucky I didnt have a go at replacing it myself, wouldve cost me 3 times as much.

Think I might trade in on a Nissan GU cab chassis cos of Toyota spare parts prices!!! BUT im sure Nissan rip off just as much! :crazy:

Thnaks for all the help in diagnosing the problem.

Cheers guys.

[v6XtraHilux]

Update....

Turns out the centre bearing was only a small problem.

Had Fourbys in Moorooka in Brisbane check out the rear axle, and they couldnt find anything obvious, suggested I take it to Driveline Services on the northside in Brendale.

The guy there at the front desk had alook under the truck, we went for a test drive, then he got another guy from the workshop, they both got under and the diagnosis was: drive shaft yokes not lined up.

It seems that when the driveshaft gets balanced, its balanced in one setup (which is obvious) but what wasnt obvious was that the diff end yoke had been dropped out of the driveshaft at the spline, and the guy who put it back in didnt check the position, so put it in any old position.

Undid the bolts, dropped the splined yoke out of the driveshaft, turned it till both yokes on the unis line up with each other (and also the grease nipples should be pointing the same direction). Took it for a test drive. Vibration ALL gone.

THANKS DRIVELINE SERVICES!!!! 2 years of vibrations solved in 5 mins!!!

Just something to keep an eye out for others as well.