Could use recommendations: Dealer might deal re: problems.

[G.I.G.]

As for the clunk, it is an unfortunate characteristic that can be reduced if you grease the drive shaft every time you get an oil change.

Perfectly said!

If you read the maintenance schedule for the 4R, it calls for "lubing the propeller shaft" regularly. If memory serves, every 5k. So, if lubing the drive shaft solves the problem and Toyota specifically outlines this in the maintenance schedule, should it come to anyone's surprise that the clunk will be there if they don't perform the required maintenance ? As soon as I noticed the clunk the first time (at about 2k miles), I lubed the drive shaft (all 6 fittings) and have done so at every oil change since. I am now at 20k miles with no drive line clunk.

I spent a lot of time on this board before I bought my 4R last year. Thanks to everyone's thoughtful input and suggestiongs, I feel I made a well-informed decision by purchasing my 4R. I knew the +'s and -'s going into the purchase. I did my research, and when I started to experience some of these issues (i.e. driveline clunk, smelly exhaust) it came as no surprise. I am certainly not saying that they are OK and that Toyota shouldn't be held accountable, I'm just saying that these are all things that I can work around or live with.

With the smelly exhaust, yeah it sucks. But this is also one of few vehicles that you can roll down the rear window, which is the only time me (and my dog : ) experience it. Unfortunately, when the rear window is down and any other window or sunroof is open, it creates a slip stream that flows from the back of the truck forward through the cabin. I flew on C-130's for years, and during smoke and fume elimination drills, the same thing occurred. Air comes in through the rear paratroop door, and exits the overhead escape hatch on the flight deck. Just simple physics. Technically, whether the smell is there or not, it is probably not the best to be breathing that air.

As for the harmonic drone, I'm still at a loss because I have never experienced it. And I too have the dreaded V8 with full-time 4X4. I'm half tempted to get out on the highway right now to see if I can experience it. If the only way I notice it is my consciously listening for it, than maybe it's not that big of a deal to begin with.

And finally, if you read other user groups and forums for other SUV's and trucks, look at some of the things people have to say about those vehicles! Suddenly my 4R doesn't look so bad. :

With all of that said, I truly hope you get something figured out that works for you...whether it's another 4R or a completely different SUV all together.

*get's off soap box*

 

[eskimochaos]

Perfectly said!

If you read the maintenance schedule for the 4R, it calls for "lubing the propeller shaft" regularly. If memory serves, every 5k. So, if lubing the drive shaft solves the problem and Toyota specifically outlines this in the maintenance schedule, should it come to anyone's surprise that the clunk will be there if they don't perform the required maintenance ? As soon as I noticed the clunk the first time (at about 2k miles), I lubed the drive shaft (all 6 fittings) and have done so at every oil change since. I am now at 20k miles with no drive line clunk.

I spent a lot of time on this board before I bought my 4R last year. Thanks to everyone's thoughtful input and suggestiongs, I feel I made a well-informed decision by purchasing my 4R. I knew the +'s and -'s going into the purchase. I did my research, and when I started to experience some of these issues (i.e. driveline clunk, smelly exhaust) it came as no surprise. I am certainly not saying that they are OK and that Toyota shouldn't be held accountable, I'm just saying that these are all things that I can work around or live with.

With the smelly exhaust, yeah it sucks. But this is also one of few vehicles that you can roll down the rear window, which is the only time me (and my dog : ) experience it. Unfortunately, when the rear window is down and any other window or sunroof is open, it creates a slip stream that flows from the back of the truck forward through the cabin. I flew on C-130's for years, and during smoke and fume elimination drills, the same thing occurred. Air comes in through the rear paratroop door, and exits the overhead escape hatch on the flight deck. Just simple physics. Technically, whether the smell is there or not, it is probably not the best to be breathing that air.

As for the harmonic drone, I'm still at a loss because I have never experienced it. And I too have the dreaded V8 with full-time 4X4. I'm half tempted to get out on the highway right now to see if I can experience it. If the only way I notice it is my consciously listening for it, than maybe it's not that big of a deal to begin with.

And finally, if you read other user groups and forums for other SUV's and trucks, look at some of the things people have to say about those vehicles! Suddenly my 4R doesn't look so bad. :

With all of that said, I truly hope you get something figured out that works for you...whether it's another 4R or a completely different SUV all together.

*get's off soap box*

The easiest way to "feel" the drone is about 75mph up a slight incline. Pull your left knee up so that your left foot is on the floor directly in front of the seat.

You can feel some resonance when you do this...not really vibration....it is only noticeable in this location.

Let me know.

 

[Climb14er]

Perfectly said!

If you read the maintenance schedule for the 4R, it calls for "lubing the propeller shaft" regularly. If memory serves, every 5k. So, if lubing the drive shaft solves the problem and Toyota specifically outlines this in the maintenance schedule, should it come to anyone's surprise that the clunk will be there if they don't perform the required maintenance ? As soon as I noticed the clunk the first time (at about 2k miles), I lubed the drive shaft (all 6 fittings) and have done so at every oil change since. I am now at 20k miles with no drive line clunk.

I spent a lot of time on this board before I bought my 4R last year. Thanks to everyone's thoughtful input and suggestiongs, I feel I made a well-informed decision by purchasing my 4R. I knew the +'s and -'s going into the purchase. I did my research, and when I started to experience some of these issues (i.e. driveline clunk, smelly exhaust) it came as no surprise. I am certainly not saying that they are OK and that Toyota shouldn't be held accountable, I'm just saying that these are all things that I can work around or live with.

With the smelly exhaust, yeah it sucks. But this is also one of few vehicles that you can roll down the rear window, which is the only time me (and my dog : ) experience it. Unfortunately, when the rear window is down and any other window or sunroof is open, it creates a slip stream that flows from the back of the truck forward through the cabin. I flew on C-130's for years, and during smoke and fume elimination drills, the same thing occurred. Air comes in through the rear paratroop door, and exits the overhead escape hatch on the flight deck. Just simple physics. Technically, whether the smell is there or not, it is probably not the best to be breathing that air.

As for the harmonic drone, I'm still at a loss because I have never experienced it. And I too have the dreaded V8 with full-time 4X4. I'm half tempted to get out on the highway right now to see if I can experience it. If the only way I notice it is my consciously listening for it, than maybe it's not that big of a deal to begin with.

And finally, if you read other user groups and forums for other SUV's and trucks, look at some of the things people have to say about those vehicles! Suddenly my 4R doesn't look so bad. :

With all of that said, I truly hope you get something figured out that works for you...whether it's another 4R or a completely different SUV all together.

*get's off soap box*

The propeller shaft/all of the zerks on the drive line have been greased every 2K miles.

The clunk is still there.

That seems to shoot 'the answer' down big time. :

There's no sense in beating these issues to death. I'm a big-boy, I can deal with risk and crisis and problems and issues in my $36K cash 4Runner... I do it everyday in business and the stock market.

If this Friday's differential/yoke/lube repair doesn't work, I'll either deal with it or I'll move on.

Toyota, both locally and at the company level, they know the frustration and disappointment incurred.

Time to take it off the board and to the dealer on Friday.

 

[alaskaman]

same luck as with the gin joint girl. =)

 

[eskimochaos]

The propeller shaft/all of the zerks on the drive line have been greased every 2K miles.

The clunk is still there.

That seems to shoot 'the answer' down big time. :

There's no sense in beating these issues to death. I'm a big-boy, I can deal with risk and crisis and problems and issues in my $36K cash 4Runner... I do it everyday in business and the stock market.

If this Friday's differential/yoke/lube repair doesn't work, I'll either deal with it or I'll move on.

Toyota, both locally and at the company level, they know the frustration and disappointment incurred.

Time to take it off the board and to the dealer on Friday.

I wish you the best.

My head hurts after reading that though.

 

[Climb14er]

Got the 4Runner back from the dealer late yesterday and you would not believe the difference... the repair works! For how long, we'll see.

The top mechanic removed the driveshafts and applied the recommended GM Hi Temp special grease to the yoke area and lubed the entire drive shaft areas.

There is absolutely zero clunk at all! The vehicle drives like it's completely tight and rock solid.

The mechanic and service manager were totally blown away at the difference between pre and post fix.

The owner of Stevenson, and you locals know who I'm talking about, he and his staff are aware of the issue(s) I brought to their attention. I was assured of a fix if this does not hold.

GM has been aware of this same clunk in their Yukon with the small block V8 and auto tranny and their solution was the grease and a nickle insert for the yoke.

For all those who called the clunk 'normal', for-get-about-it. It's not! :

The service manager also ordered the two cats for the 'smell' as he said the TSB authorized this 'fix' as well.

 

[G.I.G.]

Glad to hear it's work'n out for you.

I bought my 4R through Automotive Avenues (an auto broker in Lakewood) and they got it through Burt Toyota. However, I have been taking my 4R to Stevenson and they are definitely top-notch folks. At least that has been my experience.

I asked them about the sulfer smell. They said they could perform the fix under the TSB, but he said it was like "going back with technology" to an older style catalytic converter, that does not clean the exhaust as well. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don't experience it that often (only when rear window is down, which is rare) so I think I'm probably just going to live with it...

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Got the 4Runner back from the dealer late yesterday and you would not believe the difference... the repair works! For how long, we'll see.

The top mechanic removed the driveshafts and applied the recommended GM Hi Temp special grease to the yoke area and lubed the entire drive shaft areas.

There is absolutely zero clunk at all! The vehicle drives like it's completely tight and rock solid.

The mechanic and service manager were totally blown away at the difference between pre and post fix.

The owner of Stevenson, and you locals know who I'm talking about, he and his staff are aware of the issue(s) I brought to their attention. I was assured of a fix if this does not hold.

GM has been aware of this same clunk in their Yukon with the small block V8 and auto tranny and their solution was the grease and a nickle insert for the yoke.

For all those who called the clunk 'normal', for-get-about-it. It's not! :

The service manager also ordered the two cats for the 'smell' as he said the TSB authorized this 'fix' as well.

Do you know the part # on the GM special grease? Thanks.

:cheers:

 

[Climb14er]

Glad to hear it's work'n out for you.

I bought my 4R through Automotive Avenues (an auto broker in Lakewood) and they got it through Burt Toyota. However, I have been taking my 4R to Stevenson and they are definitely top-notch folks. At least that has been my experience.

I asked them about the sulfer smell. They said they could perform the fix under the TSB, but he said it was like "going back with technology" to an older style catalytic converter, that does not clean the exhaust as well. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don't experience it that often (only when rear window is down, which is rare) so I think I'm probably just going to live with it...

I'll talk with the service manager re: the 'older technology' aspect. First time I heard of this. Thanks!

 

[Climb14er]

Do you know the part # on the GM special grease? Thanks.

:cheers:

If you do a search here, it's in one of the threads re: the drive shaft clunk. I don't have it written down or bookmarked otherwise I would have passed it along...... I gave the beta to the service mgr. and they had knowledge of the grease in their system.

This is a known issue in GM circles and I passed on the beta re: the nickle insert to the higher ups at Toyota. They never mentioned this to me prior which I find strange as designers from one mfg'er know what's going on in their competitor's vehicles with problems.

I cannot believe that Toyota designers did not 're-address' this issue after the first clunks became evident in the initial model year/2003 of this generation.

The top mechanic here at the dealer whom I know well, he was astounded at the clunk problem and 'gave up' trying to convince his superiors re: the possible fixes.

I know once I went to the ownership of the dealership, and they have 'pull' with Toyota due to the number of vehicles they sell, the word came back to me 'we'll do anything to make things right'.

Honestly, and not to jinx anything, I cannot get over how 'tight' and well running the vehicle is at the moment! It's like driving another... new vehicle! :

 

[CJ3Flyr]

If you do a search here, it's in one of the threads re: the drive shaft clunk. I don't have it written down or bookmarked otherwise I would have passed it along...... I gave the beta to the service mgr. and they had knowledge of the grease in their system.

This is a known issue in GM circles and I passed on the beta re: the nickle insert to the higher ups at Toyota. They never mentioned this to me prior which I find strange as designers from one mfg'er know what's going on in their competitor's vehicles with problems.

I cannot believe that Toyota designers did not 're-address' this issue after the first clunks became evident in the initial model year/2003 of this generation.

The top mechanic here at the dealer whom I know well, he was astounded at the clunk problem and 'gave up' trying to convince his superiors re: the possible fixes.

I know once I went to the ownership of the dealership, and they have 'pull' with Toyota due to the number of vehicles they sell, the word came back to me 'we'll do anything to make things right'.

Honestly, and not to jinx anything, I cannot get over how 'tight' and well running the vehicle is at the moment! It's like driving another... new vehicle! :

Thanks, I'll look around and find it. I am very happy for you! I have had vehicles with an issue that makes me nuts and it sucks. T4R's have so many good things about them to enjoy; hopefully this fix will last and allow you to enjoy your Runner.

My issue was much like the driveline thump, very annoying but not a reliability issue. I had one of the 1st 2500 Chevy's in '99. It had the 6.0L and the pistons would slap around when then engine was cold, made me nuts!

:cheers: