2001 Drive Shaft problem

[wakkoguy]

Recently my 2001 4runner was making metal clanking sounds for about a day underneath. I couldn't see anything when I checked. The next day (and since then) the truck has been vibrating everytime I accelerate and when I reach about 50mph the car makes a really loud humming sound. So loud that I have to slow down in order to be able to bear it. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the drive shaft and that it would cost me $660. I am looking for a second opinion but my question is that is it ok to drive my 4runner right now? or is it unsafe?

 

[Victor]

Recently my 2001 4runner was making metal clanking sounds for about a day underneath. I couldn't see anything when I checked. The next day (and since then) the truck has been vibrating everytime I accelerate and when I reach about 50mph the car makes a really loud humming sound. So loud that I have to slow down in order to be able to bear it. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the drive shaft and that it would cost me $660. I am looking for a second opinion but my question is that is it ok to drive my 4runner right now? or is it unsafe?

I would not drive it, if the dealer says it's the driveshaft chances are elsewhere they'll say it's a driveshaft too. Should something break, your fuel lines, brake lines, exhaust system and fuel tank are in the line of fire.

 

[JeremyH]

What did they say that was wrong with the driveshaft? Really, the only things that can go wrong with the drive shaft are:
1) Twists in half
2) Bad u-joints
3) Throws a weight and becomes out of balance

None of these should cost $600. It only takes a few minutes to install a driveshaft and you can have a DS custom built for ~$300.

Fixes for the above issues are:
1) buy a new DS
2) pull DS and install new u-joints, rebalance
3) pull DS and grease current u-joint/install new u-joints, rebalance

 

[makakio]

Isn't there a driveshaft bearing on this year 4R? It's a standard lube part on servicing and I think most drivetrain vibes are caused by this bearing going bad.

Someone correct me?