Different kind of clunk thread...

[5T4Rsolo]

Hey everyone. I just acquired a 2011 Limited 4x4 with about 96k that the last guy apparently swapped the later Trail wheels to and I’m enjoying so far except for a couple of annoyances.

The biggest issue I’ve noticed that concerns me somewhat is a different type of clunk than the MANY MANY clunk threads I’ve read here... Basically, whenever I’m coasting along on the highway, or on a side street, speed doesn’t matter much, but it’s most noticeable around 40... and I let off the gas then even gently apply throttle again I get a light “thud” from the undercarriage I feel through the truck. It’s not the sort of violent clunks I’ve read about of the ones that feel like a kick in the back when stopping, I had driveline lash in a Jeep so I know all about that. This is a consistently reproducible clunk when applying gas.

Could a bad trans mount cause this? I don’t really feel the driveline moving just the thud. If I really accelerate hard, let off then hit the gas again I CAN make the thunk more extreme, but it’s usually not.

TIA for any suggestions.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

I'd start by looking at the trans and engine mounts, along with the driveshaft joints.

 

[5T4Rsolo]

I'd start by looking at the trans and engine mounts, along with the driveshaft joints.

That’s what I’m thinking. It shifts fine and everything works, it just feels like there’s driveline slop

 

[jpaws]

Check your rear lower control arm bolts too. They will give you this clunk. Torque to 96ft lbs.

 

[5T4Rsolo]

Check your rear lower control arm bolts too. They will give you this clunk. Torque to 96ft lbs.

Good info, thank you.

You know I did notice last night I do have a very slight whir at between 73-75mph or so most prevalent on down hill slopes (estimated, because the trail wheels are smaller diameter and throw off the speedo a bit). This truck had about *4* owners before me and is incredibly clean and leak free which is why I went ahead and took it as such, and also partly because where I work we get some RIDICULOUSLY abused Toyotas in for appraisals regularly that seem to just go and go, but the only real fluid change history I had access to via either Toyota owners or Carfax was oil changes and one rear diff fluid change around 40k miles as I recall. So I’m wondering if worn out components in either the front or rear diff could be the culprit? Spider gears, carrier bearings etc? Hoping it’s a u joint or even the control arm bolts etc, I can’t really complain if it’s that.

This is one of the friendliest and most helpful forums I’ve ever been on, and I had all but abandoned car forums entirely since moving to FB groups years ago.

 

[Breadman03]

I'd read something about the driveshaft needing to be greased as a possible cause of some noise. I don't know enough about it to say it's your issue, but here's the thread if you're interested.

 

[WEAK_E90]

video would help the group address your situation.:ranger:

 

[tristero]

Torque to 96ft lbs.

The toe and cam bolts should be 129 ft⋅lb

 

[eelliiss]

My passenger side sway bar end link wasn't tightened enough when I completed my lift, which made it clunk under the conditions you mentioned.

 

[jpaws]

The toe and cam bolts should be 129 ft⋅lb

My post is in reference to the rear lower links. Just had this clunk on my truck after installing skids on these. I thought my hand strength was enough. NOPE. Got back down with a torque wrench and the clunk is gone. Mine was more noticeable at take off, but any acceleration would cause it.

 

[catrains]

to solve your problem with your comments buy a new runner or crawl under the runner with a grease gun and pump the sh*t load of grease in the drive shafts..

wipe off all the old grease that blew out .
when you do oil changes YOU check the drive train fluids for condition and level..
QUICK LUBE NOT GONNA GET DONE PROPERLY ..

 

[5T4Rsolo]

video would help the group address your situation.:ranger:

I don’t know what I would even take a video of, it’s not an audible or violent clunk but definitely a thunk you can feel when you lift off the gas and get back on it.

I think my next step is to get underneath with a pry bar and check the ujoints for play.

 

[catrains]

I don’t know what I would even take a video of, it’s not an audible or violent clunk but definitely a thunk you can feel when you lift off the gas and get back on it.

I think my next step is to get underneath with a pry bar and check the ujoints for play.

video is not gonna help you have to do the crawl ////LOL///////////.
Time to get dirty..

 

[5T4Rsolo]

Welp, it looks like this one is going back. I did confirm something I had been kind of noticing the past few days, and that is that the clunk is virtually nonexistent when the vehicle is completely cold. This leads me to believe the problem is most likely differential or transmission related and I really don’t want to screw around with that on something I just bought.

We just got a 4th gen V8 04 sport edition in wholesale at work, blue with 94k miles and 4WD. 1 owner with a full documented service history and no accidents in beautiful shape which I can have for 9k. Dash was replaced by Toyota in 17. Our cost in the vehicle seems absurdly steep to me when LX470s and Land Cruisers from the same years aren’t typically that much more when we buy them. But it’s growing on me. We’ll see what’s next.

 

[catrains]

so your not a crawler ...
YA bring it back have them do the crawl ..

 

[tristero]

My post is in reference to the rear lower links. Just had this clunk on my truck after installing skids on these. I thought my hand strength was enough. NOPE. Got back down with a torque wrench and the clunk is gone. Mine was more noticeable at take off, but any acceleration would cause it.

gotcha. carry on.