Clunking Noises?

[marko3xl3]

Hello everyone!

Ever since I have gotten my first car (I am 16, about to turn 17), which is a 3rd generation 1998 4Runner SR5-Limited crossover (no emblems and mixed features), I have been all over the internet looking for forums and a community who enjoys the same sport as me which is, of course, upgrading and working on my car. And finally I found this great forum, with wonderful, helpful and great members so I thought I would join in the fun .

Anyways, long story short, I kind of have a little problem with my car... Usually, when I brake the car (to stop at a light for example) I can hear a kind of loud clunking noise under the car when I release pressure from the brake before stopping. Sometimes, I stop and keep pressure on the brake but when I get going again it still clunks. Now, I know there could be a lot of things going on (shocks, trans, brakes, diff) but since I am not sure I am a bit worried because I am afraid it might be a big problem.

Has anyone had such a problem before? I am mainly concerned that something is broken, but I also want to upgrade it and I wanna make sure everything is in good condition before I move on and this is the only thing holding me back.

Here are some "gallery" pics of the car (haven't gotten to take off-road pictures yet, keep forgetting the camera) -> http://www.marko3xl3.com/images/car/ . And in case anyone wonders, I paid $14k for it the way it is.

I also recently replaced my worn rear wheels with a pair of Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor tires which are great for street driving, quiet and have good traction. They do well on off-road too but probably (haven't tried) have enough grip to go through mud or anything like that.

Anyways, I am sorry if I typed too much, and I hope some of you guys can help me with my problem.

Thanks in Advance,
Marko

 

[PROZAC]

Hello everyone!

Ever since I have gotten my first car (I am 16, about to turn 17), which is a 3rd generation 1998 4Runner SR5-Limited crossover (no emblems and mixed features), I have been all over the internet looking for forums and a community who enjoys the same sport as me which is, of course, upgrading and working on my car. And finally I found this great forum, with wonderful, helpful and great members so I thought I would join in the fun .

Anyways, long story short, I kind of have a little problem with my car... Usually, when I brake the car (to stop at a light for example) I can hear a kind of loud clunking noise under the car when I release pressure from the brake before stopping. Sometimes, I stop and keep pressure on the brake but when I get going again it still clunks. Now, I know there could be a lot of things going on (shocks, trans, brakes, diff) but since I am not sure I am a bit worried because I am afraid it might be a big problem.

Has anyone had such a problem before? I am mainly concerned that something is broken, but I also want to upgrade it and I wanna make sure everything is in good condition before I move on and this is the only thing holding me back.

Here are some "gallery" pics of the car (haven't gotten to take off-road pictures yet, keep forgetting the camera) -> http://www.marko3xl3.com/images/car/ . And in case anyone wonders, I paid $14k for it the way it is.

I also recently replaced my worn rear wheels with a pair of Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor tires which are great for street driving, quiet and have good traction. They do well on off-road too but probably (haven't tried) have enough grip to go through mud or anything like that.

Anyways, I am sorry if I typed too much, and I hope some of you guys can help me with my problem.

Thanks in Advance,
Marko

Transmission mount failure. I'd start by inspecting the motor mounts and transmission mounts.

 

[KMX3060]

Front and rear tires should all be the same size with 4WD.

 

[marko3xl3]

I should probably check those mounts, that might be it. Haven't really thought of that at all... I will let you know.

I do have same size tires for 4WD, both P265/70R16.

 

[GYoter]

A lot of people have had that problem with their 4th gen 4runners. It is coming from the drive shaft, just lube it. If this is the problem, its a really cheap and easy fix.

Here's a write-up on how to do it for 3rd gens.
http://www.4runners.org/articles/zerk/

and heres a long thread about it.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=975&highlight=drive+shaft+clunk

 

[marko3xl3]

A lot of people have had that problem with their 4th gen 4runners. It is coming from the drive shaft, just lube it. If this is the problem, its a really cheap and easy fix.

Here's a write-up on how to do it for 3rd gens.
http://www.4runners.org/articles/zerk/

and heres a long thread about it.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=975&highlight=drive+shaft+clunk

My 4Runner is a 3rd gen though, would that still apply?

 

[GYoter]

I suppose it could, not positive tho. If it is the same, would be a lot cheaper and easier to try before the other suggestions. The write-up is for a 3rd gen. Good luck.

 

[marko3xl3]

Thank you very much GYoter, that's exactly my problem. Whew, thank god it's nothing big like the transmission (transmission symptomps are usually a bit different). For some reason I also has a feeling this is a common issue.

All I gotta do now is have my rear brakes checked (which are on the low side) and also lube the rear driveshaft connection and see what that does.

I'll post back here once I am done, it will probably be a while 'till I get a paycheck for the brakes and I gotta get a new greasegun too, heh.

Thanks again,
Marko

 

[GYoter]

Thank you very much GYoter, that's exactly my problem. Whew, thank god it's nothing big like the transmission (transmission symptomps are usually a bit different). For some reason I also has a feeling this is a common issue.

Thanks again,
Marko

hopefully that will be it for you. Under $20 fixes are always nice.