2013 4runner thump

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Just got back from vacation in the 4runner and the drive train thump is driving me crazy. Toyota says it's normal, there is no real fix from what I've read on line. It's honestly embarrassing when friends and relatives are in the vehicle and question the noise and my only answer is....well Toyota says it's normal. Why doesn't Toyota modify the Tundra drive shaft for the 4runner and Tacoma? A 35k+ vehicle shouldn't have this kind of problem.
 
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Just got back from vacation in the 4runner and the drive train thump is driving me crazy. Toyota says it's normal, there is no real fix from what I've read on line. It's honestly embarrassing when friends and relatives are in the vehicle and question the noise and my only answer is....well Toyota says it's normal. Why doesn't Toyota modify the Tundra drive shaft for the 4runner and Tacoma? A 35k+ vehicle shouldn't have this kind of problem.

It can't be normal, I don't have it.
 
After coming to a complete stop. It's the worst when the nose of the vehicle dips downward. The drive shaft evidently is two piece and flexes like a ball point pen when you click it. It causes air to build up in the rear and thumps when the brakes are released.
 
There is a fix for that for free. Search for axle thump. There is a TSB on it. Print it out and take it to your dealer. Most were fixed in 2011.
 
Mine was built in March of 2012, (after the TSB date) and I occasionally get that bump from behind sensation but no clunk or thump. It does not do it very often and am sure it would not happen on demand if it took it to a dealer and complained.

I have just learned to live with it, for no more often than it happens I am not concerned. Sometimes it will happen several times a day and sometimes it will go for weeks with out doing it.

After owning Jeeps for the last ten years, this is such a minor thing to me, I did not really even think about it as a problem until reading this thread.

Mine should already have the updated drive shaft since it was built after the TSB issue date.

And as long as I keep the U-joints greased it should be okay right?
 
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I feel the same way you do now. After numerous times of complaining to the dealer with no happy results, I just got use to it and pay it no mind.



Mine was built in March of 2012, (after the TSB date) and I occasionally get that bump from behind sensation but no clunk or thump. It does not do it very often and am sure it would not happen on demand if it took it to a dealer and complained.

I have just learned to live with it, for no more often than it happens I am not concerned. Sometimes it will happen several times a day and sometimes it will go for weeks with out doing it.

After owning Jeeps for the last ten years, this is such a minor thing to me, I did not really even think about it as a problem until reading this thread.

Mine should already have the updated drive shaft since it was built after the TSB issue date.

And as long as I keep the U-joints greased it should be okay right?
 
My prop shaft was replaced a few thousand miles ago and has been fine so far. I don't doubt that this issue is exasperated by poor or no servicing of the drivetrain at the dealer. Toyota specs different greases for the shaft and the u-joints. One with moly and one without.
 
Per Toyota, the issue has been occurring since the 4th gen came out.

My 2001 had it, and my 2013 has it, just to a lesser degree. Just TSB it....I haven't bothered to do anything yet, because after driving VW TDIs for the last couple of years, I have built up a tolerance for these kind of things, and the clunk is really minor compared to what I am used to. 2 years of VW ownership has also made me sick and tired of taking my vehicle to the dealer for warranty work....

One other thing, are you sure it is drivetrain clunk and not rough low gear shifting? That is also a know issue there is a fix for. I believe mine has both.
 
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i have had a feeling of getting rear-ended once just before coming to a stop, but the clunk I do not have.
 
Just got back from vacation in the 4runner and the drive train thump is driving me crazy.

READ ON ....

Toyota says it's normal, there is no real fix from what I've read on line. .

IT IS NOT NORMAL - COMMON PERHAPS


I feel the same way you do now. After numerous times of complaining to the dealer with no happy results, I just got use to it and pay it no mind.

i have had a feeling of getting rear-ended once just before coming to a stop, but the clunk I do not have.

This IS the symptom. No noise per se, but the exact feeling of being bumped from behind.

I took mine to my dealer with the TSB. Drive shaft ordered immediately, replaced the next day. At least 10k miles ago, not a single problem since.


.... I don't doubt that this issue is exacerbated by poor or no servicing of the drivetrain at the dealer....

Exactly. I intend to be certain that this is done at maint intervals. (Fixed it fer ya)
 
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I hate to point out the obvious, but when Toyota dealers do the maintenance they usually don't grease the drive shafts. I looked. It never happened. Ever.

Just adding lube to the u-joints on the drive shafts pretty much clears it up, both on my 4Runner, and now my Tundra. If it persists, print the TSB and beat the dealer with it until they relent.
 
Great help from toyota corporate

Called Toyota corporate and they basically told me to pound sand and deal with it. That is considered normal operating for the drive shaft. Going to speak to the owner at the dealership and see if he will do anything for us.









This IS the symptom. No noise per se, but the exact feeling of being bumped from behind.

I took mine to my dealer with the TSB. Drive shaft ordered immediately, replaced the next day. At least 10k miles ago, not a single problem since.




Exactly. I intend to be certain that this is done at maint intervals. (Fixed it fer ya)
 
Called Toyota corporate and they basically told me to pound sand and deal with it. That is considered normal operating for the drive shaft. Going to speak to the owner at the dealership and see if he will do anything for us.

I just got back from my dealership with the same problem, only mine is when I am moving, when I coast and get back on the gas I feel a clunking sound as I get back on the power. My dealership re-greased my slipyolk and it's still there, he said there was a TSB to replace the driveshaft and he has already ordered it and said I can bring it in next week to get it installed.
 
thump noise

Mine is a 2013. I wonder if that bulletin even applies to my year?



I just got back from my dealership with the same problem, only mine is when I am moving, when I coast and get back on the gas I feel a clunking sound as I get back on the power. My dealership re-greased my slipyolk and it's still there, he said there was a TSB to replace the driveshaft and he has already ordered it and said I can bring it in next week to get it installed.
 
Mine is a 2013. I wonder if that bulletin even applies to my year?

I dropped my 2011 at the stealership earlier and luckily there was a mechanic there that heard my issue. The service advisor was clueless. They called me back 3 hours later and told me they would be replacing the driveshaft under the TSB. Hopefully when I pick it up tomorrow, the noise will be gone.

FYI, I went to Russell Toyota in Catonsville.
 

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