I want to relay my recent experience with the "driveline thump". The megathread that exists about this issue,
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/proble...riveline+clunk , deals mainly with the V8. Rather than continue on there I thought to start a new and more specific thread about the V6.
I very rarely experienced the driveshaft binding on my V6. Usually I would go between greasing intervals without ever experiencing it. It did occur periodically but it was usually near the next scheduled greasing and I never related it to temperature (more on that later.) I always thought I should get a second grease gun to load the slip yokes with moly additive grease as recommended. Finally broke down when I saw one on sale. I have a hard time finding synthetic grease with moly at a reasonable price. Even Mobil 1 Syn is expensive so I stock up when I make the occasional trip to MI. Found some Valvoline DuraBlend Syn with moly (at Autozone) so tried that.
Did the regular scheduled greasing back in the fall. Put a few extra shots of DuraBlend in the slip yokes (previously used Mobil 1 on all the zerks.) Very shortly after that I started getting the thump from the binding. Turns out it's temperature related. This happened to coincide with the cold weather. Now that we've had a few days of milder temps I've noticed the binding is gone. Turns out the DuraBlend doesn't have as deep a working temperature range as the Mobil. So, moly or not, it's stickier at colder temps.
Maybe this applies to those with the V8 issues as well, especially in the winter. Not going to worry about the short-term thumping for the rest of the winter. Lesson learned is to avoid Valvoline DuraBlend moly fortified due to the limited working temperature range in winter. I need to find a synthetic moly grease with a lower working temp (like Valvoline Synpower.) Next excuse for a trip to MI...
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'04 SR5 V6 4x4 Galactic Grey Mica. Delivered 03/17/2004. Link to my mod list in posts 7, 8 & 9 of this thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=21354
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The battle begins at the end of your driveway... Game On! "Car!"