Troubleshooting assistance: vibration in IFS?

[rkdahlgren]

I searched the forum but could not find this posted elsewhere. Apologies if this has been covered previously, and if so, please direct me to the proper place.




I have a 1986 Toyota P/U. 220,000 miles, it's my second such "back from the grave" 4WD project. Here's a photo of it immediately following an unplanned UHaul event:



More on the UHaul later. I promise.




Like I said, it's a 1986, so it "features" IFS. Now, my prior "back from the grave" PU was a 1985, so I'm a bit new to IFS. All things considered it's pretty good, except for this one small detail:


At or above 25 MPH the truck emits a frightful vibration from what appears to be the right front wheel. I can imitate it pretty accurately with my mouth, but that doesn't help here now does it?

- If the hub is NOT locked and transfer case is NOT engaged, the truck will emit no vibration (even at 80 MPH)
- If the hub is NOT locked, and the transfer case IS engaged, the truck emits no vibration
- If the hub IS locked, and the transfer case IS engaged, the truck makes beforementioned sound/vibration
- If the hub is locked, and the transfer case IS NOT engaged, the truck still makes terrible sound/vibration


So there you have it. I'd like to hear from at least one other person who may have experienced this before I tear blindly into the hub/wheel area. I've read two service manuals and that Toyota Owners Bible book, but have not found anything that directly applies to this symptom. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.







Ok, now to the UHaul story. It provides the basis of one award-winning country song, so sit back and enjoy.


(Precondition: UHaul is fully packed with my things, parked on a 7% grade driveway)
- UHaul's brakes failed (cable snapped)
- UHaul's automatic tranny pins started popping
- UHaul rolls down driveway
- Friends imitate rats jumping from sinking ship. Ok, this part was pretty funny
- Rear passenger tire of Toyota pickup rolls up ramp as UHaul continues down driveway
- Toyota tailgate hits rear door frame of UHaul
- Both trucks continue trip down driveway
- Camper shell smashed into fence
- Fence posts broken and somehow manage to stop entire mess from continuing into my yard




Here's a peek at how my leaf springs were broken:




Check out the camper shell. Its death provides the basis of act II of my tale.





I wasn't completely moved, but the UHaul was trashed. So the next day I put my dog into the back of my pickup and drove back to the old house.




Now, most times my beloved 6 year old cattle dog is safely beneath the camper shell, or up front with me. In this case, I had a female passenger, so Zack was tied into the back.




I guess I heard him go over the side before I saw it...as a parent let me tell you that you become strangely aware of these things through almost supernatural means. As I started to slow I looked out the back window and noted his leash hanging over the side. I knew he was being dragged. I pulled over and the entire truck lurched as he rolled under the rear passenger tire.




Yeah, it was really gross.


I grabbed him and put him into the lap of my passenger, who almost immediately passed out and went into convulsions. Apparently she has a thing about blood and a freshly popped anal gland. I called 911, and as they loaded her into the ambulance, I took my baby to the dog hospital.


What? I had my priorities.




He came out well, all things considered. Ruptured urinary tract, bruised lungs, broken teeth, and four hamburgered feet. $2,200 and he's in fighting trim. Here's a shot of him with little doggy casts:




Technically, his hospital bill came in at just under $2,000, but 6 days after release from the hospital he got into a fight with a raccoon, which earned him some stitches and rabies treatment. He better live to be 100.




UHaul is being super cool about this. Helps to have photographic evidence, 11 adult witnesses, and a letter from a UHaul mechanic accepting responsibility for the equipment failure. Perhaps the best thing that could ever happen to an end-of-life Toyota 4WD that was prior to this doomed to be repaired at a snails pace relative to a minimum hobby investment...and I'm a cheap bastard.

[reb]

It sounds like the common thing in your front end noise symptoms is the hub locked, I would look at the inner bushing on the spindle.

Sorry to hear about the dog. I would have expected him to stay in. Lots of the locals around here run around with loose dogs in the rear of open trucks. Personally, I don't trust mine to stay put. When he rides alone in the rear, I use two leashes--one tied to each side so he can't get out.

[rkdahlgren]

Originally Posted by reb

It sounds like the common thing in your front end noise symptoms is the hub locked, I would look at the inner bushing on the spindle.

Sweet. I'll re-read that topic in my manuals this evening. Thanks again!

In a previous life I was a mechanic in the service. Problem is, nothing like this ever broke, so while I have a basic grasp of the workings, I lack the practical experience in areas where I've not yet had a chance to get my hands dirty. Getting pointers is really helpful.

Personally, I don't trust mine to stay put. When he rides alone in the rear, I use two leashes--one tied to each side so he can't get out.

The other leash came undone. In the end it's ok, other than the trauma. He's fine, in fact, while driving a snowy Barlow Road over Mt. Hood yesterday he ran behind the truck for a couple miles.

Few breeds as hearty as the heeler. If only my kids were that tough.