Drive shaft noise or U joint noise (LEXUS 4/06 TSB page 18) aka Driveshaft thump/bump

[Mariodelia]

4Runner thump when releasing brake after stop

For those who had the Lexus part(s) installed, how long have you gone with no thump? Will Lexus do the repair and warranty it?

Thump is worse the harder the brake/more sudden stop.
'06 4Runner Sport V6 AWD

I am concerned about the suggestions of filling the slip yoke with grease as some people suggested that can do harm in the long run. Everytime Toyota has greased it for me it lasts about 50 miles before the thumping comes back.

Has anyone had success with lubricating every 3,000 miles with no thump in between maint/oil changes?

I am sick of this annoying thump and I don't even drive it everyday (wife's truck).

 

[pickerdd]

I've been lubricating the drive shafts in my T4R every 5k miles starting at 30k miles. That has reduced the "thump" from "all the damn time" to the "very rare" category. I've had the "thump" 4 or 5 times since I started lubing the drive shafts.

 

[morphius909]

I've been lubricating the drive shafts in my T4R every 5k miles starting at 30k miles. That has reduced the "thump" from "all the damn time" to the "very rare" category. I've had the "thump" 4 or 5 times since I started lubing the drive shafts.

+1. I'm in the same boat as well.

I think we end up stuffing so much grease in there from successive "zerkings" it pretty much eliminates the annoyance.

 

[Martyn]

driveshaft??

When I reverse my truck, then put it in drive in makes this loud knock, feels like something is going to snap. I think it is the joint on the end of the driveshaft. Anyone have a clue what it might be?

 

[pickerdd]

Can you be more specific on the year and model truck you have?

Thanks,

 

[4runnernut]

When I reverse my truck, then put it in drive in makes this loud knock, feels like something is going to snap. I think it is the joint on the end of the driveshaft. Anyone have a clue what it might be?

I have the same reverse clunk on my 07 4wd, along with the clunk coming to a stop. I don't plan on lubricating this thing unless someone tells me that something is going to break. Surprised this problem has been around for years and yota has no recall.

 

[MrTom]

There is a TSB for the FJ Cruiser, but suspect that from the perspective of the Toyota bean counters it would be cost prohibitive to fix all of the 4th gens that have documented the issue.
4WD Rear Propeller Shaft (Driveshaft) Clunk/Thunk Noise - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

I have talked with a Toyota Customer Service Representative and the TSB's for the Lexus and the FJ were acknowledged. Was told Toyota would not cover the cost of fixing the 4Runner without a specific TSB being issued and they had no knowledge of anything coming in the future.

Best we can do is to write letters to TOYOTA corporate management and express our disappointment. My letter has been sent with a return receipt requirement so I can continue with my documentation.. I included reference to this link where ..."Jim Lentz, the head of Toyota USA, ... says the company will fix the faulty gas pedal problem as it tries to rebuild customer confidence in the Toyota brand. "
Toyota USA CEO: We need to 'build trust back' - Video on msnbc.com

Mr. James E. Lentz
President and Chief Operating Officer
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501

Mr. Shigeki Terashi,
President and Chief Operating Officer
Toyota Motor North America Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501

...

 

[MrTom]

I received a survey regarding my conversation with Toyota Customer care about the drive line thump issue.
In the comment section I wrote:
MY issue is about the drive line "thump" in my 2003 Toyota 4Runner. I have commented and written letters continuously about this problem since the first oil change. Toyota has always claimed it is a "Normal Operating Characteristic" and since there is no "official" Toyota TSB nothing can be done to correct the problem. YET, Toyota has announced a TSB for the FJ Cruiser and Lexus has a TSB for the sister version of the 4Runner. TOYOTA is leaving the 4Runners out of this solution and I am not happy about that. Letters to USA and Japan Corporate CEO's are forthcoming expressing my extreme disappointment is Toyota's lack of commitment to quality vehicles and customer satisfaction."

I have come to the conclusion the only way to resolve this problem is for everyone annoyed by this issue to be a major squeaky wheel in Toyota's ear..
Posting on this site will not affect Toyota's decision in any way.
No action No results
.

 

[characterzero]

5th gen TSB thanks to harper

There is a new TSB out now for the drive shaft clunk when coming to a stop for those that have it. Apparently they have a new design and will replace it. Maybe I'll quit lubing mine so it will get it and get a new design one.lol

4WD Rear Propeller Shaft (Driveshaft) Clunk/Thunk Noise (T-SB-0040-12)

Some 4WD equipped 2010 – 2012 model year SR5 and Trail grade 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a clunk/thunk noise from the rear of the vehicle or a “bump-from-behind” sensation just before a stop or when accelerating from a stop. Improvements have been implemented on the rear propeller shaft (driveshaft) to reduce this condition.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ack-help-identifying-noise-4.html#post1051521

 

[MrTom]

Thank you for the 5th gen TSB info. Fortunately I have not mailed my letters to CEO's at Toyota USA and Japan Corporate..
Even more reason for my thoughts for the 4th gen owners.
" I have come to the conclusion the only way to resolve this problem is for everyone annoyed by this issue to be a major squeaky wheel in Toyota's ear..
Posting on this site will not affect Toyota's decision in any way.
No action No results"

 

[krnewenham]

It has been confirmed that the driveshaft is compatable...what about the control arms? Has anyone used the Lexus Gx470 control arm kit to replace the t4r control arms?

My 06 sport not only has thumped for 100K miles, but it seems as if the driveshaft has become very sloppy and is generating a vibration. I gave up on Toyota long ago!

I ordered the 60A40 propeller shaft assy and the control arm kit. My research suggests that all parts are compatable, but am interested to know if anyone on this forum has direct experience with the control arms. Drive shaft was $280 and control arm kit $376.

All fit and worked well...no driveshaft thumping for several months now. Continue to troubleshoot a low resonance, dull thud coming from the rear end when traveling over bumps in the road.

 

[LOCAL HOOKER]

Greese gun

I noticed the "THUMP" 50,000 miles ago. It was very intermittent. I took it two shops and no one could tell me what was wrong! It kept getting worse and I was sure I'd have to do a tranny re-build or a new tranny... Thank God I read this forum, because I just greased the nipple and immediately it stopped!!!

Thanks guys!!! Great advise and good call! You saved me a couple thousand $$$$$'s I'm sure!!!

Bob.

 

[jbourass]

Driveshaft 37110-60A40 will fix the issue

My rig was bad, I could not go more then 500 miles after grease with out the thump bump. I had the entire unit disassembled and reassembled twice. Then after 20K miles of frustation and escalation and finally got Toyota to replace drive shaft Part # 37110-6A480 with part # 37110-60A40 found in the Lexus TSB #L-SB-0116-08. I have been driving over 10K miles with no thump bump sensation.

The control arms found in earlier versions of the TSB are not required to fix the issue in my 2008 V8 4Runner.

 

[happaflapp]

A bit of noob on my '07

I'm not really much of gearhead or modder. But, I really want to be proactive about maintenance on my '07 T4R.

I have noticed the thud or thunk upon a hard brake. I do recall seeing posts pertaining to this. I guess I want to know before I crawl under my 4runner is where are the Zerk fittings that everyone is using for grease? Is there a preference as to a grease gun (ie flex nozzle, or static). Is there a preference as to which grease to use? How much should be pumped into the joint?

Advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[TRDCal]

Maybe try reading some of the pages in this thread, don't you think its likely your questions have been covered before??

 

[happaflapp]

Yea, I'm not a noob to forums. There are 49 pages here. Thought maybe someone would be kind enough to leave a link, sticky, or something instead of me wading threw hundreds of replies. But thanks for the help.

 

[stanleybb50]

Yea, I'm not a noob to forums. There are 49 pages here. Thought maybe someone would be kind enough to leave a link, sticky, or something instead of me wading threw hundreds of replies. But thanks for the help.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=28414

 

[TRDCal]

Yea, I'm not a noob to forums. There are 49 pages here.

Normally when you get a long thread like this, the first 10 pages (give or take a couple) will be have the good info, then after that its just people saying "hey I have the same problem". But your not a noob so you probably already knew that :

 

[Radvr6t]

Update:
Ive been trying to solve for a month--this is what Ive come up with.
Worth Trying If even after you have lubed up the Drive shafts and partilarly the Slip yoke of the rear shaft. Ussually that is the culprit for this known bang.

Try: Taking out that Zerk fitting ( just on the rear slipe yoke) and go for a drive, even have someone jump on the back bumper or drive up and down off a curb or down a bumpy road.

IN this pic it is the one on the right hand side 7mm should be the size

You should notice a drastic improvement without the zerk attached:clap2:


Report back !

 

[hrt4me]

:deadhorse:

Update:
Ive been trying to solve for a month--this is what Ive come up with.
Worth Trying If even after you have lubed up the Drive shafts and partilarly the Slip yoke of the rear shaft. Ussually that is the culprit for this known bang.

Try: Taking out that Zerk fitting ( just on the rear slipe yoke) and go for a drive, even have someone jump on the back bumper or drive up and down off a curb or down a bumpy road.

In this pic it is the one on the right hand side 7mm should be the size

You should notice a drastic improvement without the zerk attached:clap2:

do you have a lift installed, i.e. was your drive shaft contacting the fuel tank skid?