2013 Nissan Titan driveshaft issue?

[Anthony]

My 2013 Titan randomly started transmissionmitting some vibes into the cabin. Just turned 150,000 miles and it’s been nearly flawless. Until now it’s only needed 1 axle seal and 1 starter its entire life. I parked it for 2 days and then drove it again and the vibes were present. It was so strange to me I thought it might be a bad tire. Put a new set of Michelins on it. Road force was 10lbs or less for each tire. Same thing. Installed new U joints and lubed the slip yoke. No change. Not sure where to go from here.

The center support bearing seems to be the same as it’s always been. This truck like most BITOG vehicles is maintained to the highest standard. Just serviced the rear diff. Metal on the magnet was minimal. Amsoil Severe gear 75w140 every 30k. Transmission drain and fill every 15k.

The vibes seem to start around 40 mph and feel somewhat like an out of balance tire. Around 65 to 70 the actual ride of the truck is pretty nice on the hwy but you feel that steady vibe that’s very different from an out of balance tire. I don’t feel any vibes when accelerating.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[SC Maintenance]

2wd or 4wd? 4wd could be front driveshaft or CV joints.

Can you outrun it - ie at some speed it goes away, or does it get progressively worse? If you get up to speed then drop into neutral and coast does the vibration persist?

 

[Anthony]

2wd or 4wd? 4wd could be front driveshaft or CV joints.

Can you outrun it - ie at some speed it goes away, or does it get progressively worse? If you get up to speed then drop into neutral and coast does the vibration persist?

It’s 2 wheel drive. I still feel it at 70 - 75. The higher speed is a different feel. Doesn’t feel like it’s coming from tires.

 

[SC Maintenance]

It’s 2 wheel drive. I still feel it at 70 - 75. The higher speed is a different feel. Doesn’t feel like it’s coming from tires.

You will need to find a safe place to drop it into neutral while its vibrating, and see if the vibration changes. If its in the powertrain it should lessen - it may not go away completely because everything is still turning. If it does not change at all then its likely something tire / wheel / bearing etc.

You could take it to a shop and see if they are willing to spin it on their lift and see if they can ID the vibration.

 

[Trav]

Did you check the drive shaft center carrier bearing/rubber?

 

[Anthony]

I took the shaft to a driveline shop yesterday. They said the carrier bearing spins way too easily. I didn’t realize that was a thing. The rubber is ok and it seems to spin smooth. They are balancing the shaft and pressing on a new carrier. Hope that’s it!

 

[vwmaniaman]

Maybe a balance weight fell off.

 

[Marcozi]

I took the shaft to a driveline shop yesterday. They said the carrier bearing spins way too easily. I didn’t realize that was a thing. The rubber is ok and it seems to spin smooth. They are balancing the shaft and pressing on a new carrier. Hope that’s it!

Bearings that spin too easily have used/lost their lubricant.