Clunk While Stopping and minor slip while starting

[Cory_Thibeau]

hi everyone.

i searched this on the forum and google briefly. i dont currently have a lot of time for a full search.

1998 4runner 4x4 3.4v6 sr5, no mods, 273000kms
problem:
when coming to a complete stop (downhill only) there is a clunk. if feels to me as though something is lunging forward. sometimes after that, when i take off, there is a minor slip of the transmission.

the search i did, i found that i should get a grease gun and grease everything which i have not done yet but will.

tranny fluid is low (obviously need to fill it)

my question is tho if these may be related? could the clunking be a transmission problem? and if so what?

i will fill the fluid as recommended in the owners manual and I will see if that works and i may as well do the greasing

is there something else i should be checking for while im under the truck?

thanks and sorry if this is just a repeat on the forum. like i said, i did a quick search but dont have time right today for a full one

 

[Brian757]

Are you sure it's tranny related? It might be a seizing brake piston. Like the pads are clinking together while approaching a stop. And maybe they are sticking shut when you first start moving, and then break free after a few seconds of moving and it feels like a lunge forward, or slippage?

Jack your front end up and hand rotate your front tires. If both move freely, disregard what I've said.

You obviously want your tranny fluid to be in-between the healthy range. Too low and your tranny will slip.

 

[jgue467]

Hard braking type situation?

you know moderate to hard (but not necessarily an emer stop) will cause the rear end to lift up a bit, causing the slip yoke to compress as you stop. Your brakes hold it in this position until you release them to accelerate, hence the clunk. Grease it up man! Just don't put more than say 3 pumps on the slip yoke, overdoing it on these types will cause hydrolock.... Luck! :banana:

 

[Cory_Thibeau]

I will make sure to look into that. I also want to look at my brakes anyway to just make sure they're good. Just waiting for a new lock nut key to come in.
And I'm not completely sure it's a transmission problem but when it "slip" it's revving up to about 2000rpm I think. Completely forgot about potential brake problem. I'll check it out. Thanks

 

[TT4RLtdV8]

I had the same issue with my 4th gen when stopping. I noticed it the most when getting off the highway, you are on the offramp slowing down and there is a clunk from the rear end. I greased the drive shaft and lubricated the zerk fittings, the clunk went away.

As far as the tranny thing goes, my 3rd gen was super low on tranny fluid and it slipped until the engine revved to 2-4k. Added fluid and it almost instantly fixed it. I'd recommend a tranny flush and pan drop to make sure there isn't any metal nasties floating around, but the fluid seriously makes all the difference in the world.

 

[Limbwalker]

Some smart suggestions above.
But dude, get that fluid level up! A slipping tranny will turn into a broken tranny fast as hell

 

[Cory_Thibeau]

filled tranny fluid this morning. have to take it on a quick job this afternoon and ill see how its running. then its off for a fishing weekend. (definitely bringing the fluid just in case)