I have a 2009 Tacoma, I have an inconsistent squeal and vibration. It seems to be mainly in the front end. The squeal starts at 15-20 mph through 30 mph, and the vibration is at varying speeds from 50-75 mph. It has literally brand new tires (just bought them this weekend, it needed them anyway and I thought it would fix the problem). Its been happening for the past 200-300 miles. The vibration seems to only happen when I am giving it gas, but does not happen when revving the engine in neutral.

I am thinking a bad bearing? How can I diagnose this?

I'd like to save the money and fix it myself if possible.

UPDATE.

Went to autozone and got a new u-joint, took about 2-3 hrs to replace this afternoon. Truck drives like new now, on the old u-joint there was one bearing where all of the bearing rods had been turned to dust from friction and heat. Went ahead and greased up the new bearings as well as the old ones, going to add this to my list of things to do at oil changes, honestly never knew I needed to do it.

Anyway working on your own vehicles is great! Did this in about half the time it would have taken for the dealer to do it, and only spent about 40 bucks on parts and a few new tools that I needed to complete the project.

Thanks Arfcom! This place is great! I almost decided to make an appointment at the dealer before posting here, had it figured out in less than 10 minutes.

Sounds like  bad U Joint in your driveshaft

jack up front end, spin tires and see if something doesn't seen right...compare sides.
Grab tire by top and bottom and push/pull...any movement? Compare them.

Put in 4 lo and get revs up, is it a driveline squeal or a tire "speed" noise.

You should be able to figure out.

truck mileage?

U-joints, jack up and rotate shafts...clonking?

Thanks, Just hit 120,000

CV shaft or hub bearing.

ETA...4X4 or 2WD ?

4x4. I think its a driveshaft U joint after getting under the truck. The one at the very front near the transmission is slightly loose (all the rest have no wiggle) and it appears to be missing an o ring or something. Pics to follow shortly.

My 2008 has just started doing the exact same thing.

Hope it's a U joint. Easy peasy.

Pic of U joint that is missing the "o-ring" for lack of a better term. See the bare metal at the bottom? None of the other u-joints have them, and the shaft has a very slight wiggle as a result.


Here is a pic of the other side of the u-joint with the o-ring (how all the other u-joints look).

Front inboard cv most likely ( especially if it's lifted). To check if it's a u joint out it in gear and Rick it back and forth looking at the joints for play

Time for a new U-Joint.

thanks for the pics.

So you think that's it? Does an amateur with decent mechanical inclination, a 3 ton jack, some jack stands and a decent tool kit have time to get this done by 1800 when the household-6 gets home?

If it is not that U joint it soon will be. It is missing the dust cap, U joint will be toast soon.

My vibration was a bearing on the front rh tire Had vertical play. Tire guy should of picked up on a bad wheel bearing.

may need a vice to press out the old joint, but u joint are not hard, hammer and punch the old one out

Explains my symptoms perfectly. I also have the line of grease along the underside of my truck from the bad joint.

Got an 05 With 178k miles still org u joints, grease them every oil change.

Skip the autonzone durlast crap gotto the dealer

Do a youtube search and you will find a quick video of the procedure.  May need to rent some tools from the parts store when you buy the new u-joint.

Check your carrier bearing too (if equipped).

Tacomas like to eat those as well.

What I was going to say

Update in OP