2007 cyclical clunking in reverse

[Monel]

Good day,

I've had a second hand 4Runner for several months, 2007 V6, 118,000 miles.

Three weeks ago I had my dealer do a standard Toyota 120,000 miles service on it that includes greasing all the drive train zerk fittings and replacing the differential and transfer case oils.

Since then it has developed a clunking in reverse. It seems to happen once every rotation of the wheels while backing up and speeds up if I back up faster. It happens both with my foot off the brakes and braking lightly. It is definitely coming from the rear and seems centered but I cannot quite pinpoint its location.

I'm not a mechanic but like to do my own research and diagnosis BEFORE bringing it to a mechanic to be an informed consumer and to try and keep them honest.

OK collective wisdom of the forums. Any ideas as to what may be going on?

On another note, can one every totally trust their dealer service department??

Monel

 

[Run the ball]

Good day,

I've had a second hand 4Runner for several months, 2007 V6, 118,000 miles.

Three weeks ago I had my dealer do a standard Toyota 120,000 miles service on it that includes greasing all the drive train zerk fittings and replacing the differential and transfer case oils.

Since then it has developed a clunking in reverse. It seems to happen once every rotation of the wheels while backing up and speeds up if I back up faster. It happens both with my foot off the brakes and braking lightly. It is definitely coming from the rear and seems centered but I cannot quite pinpoint its location.

I'm not a mechanic but like to do my own research and diagnosis BEFORE bringing it to a mechanic to be an informed consumer and to try and keep them honest.

OK collective wisdom of the forums. Any ideas as to what may be going on?

On another note, can one every totally trust their dealer service department??

Monel

I did a search for this exact problem and found this thread .... I have a 2004 V8 limited with 205 000km and today when backing up, a very similar sound as you described. I stopped and went forward and all is fine, then reverse again and clunk, clunk, clunk in a cyclical way from the back. I thought Diff right away, but wouldn't it do it in forward too?

Anyone else have this issue or have a tip other than bring it to your dealer :

 

[TRDCal]

For whatever its worth. I had a very similar problem where I was getting a clunking noise from the rear that that would vary with speed, just like your describing.

Turned out to be the rear parking brake. One of the pins that holds the shoes in place had rusted through and snapped. That allowed the shoe to fall out of place and then as the disc/drum spun around, the shoe would get caught up and then release repeatedly which produced a clunking noise. I too thought it was the diff at first but turned out to be a simple fix.