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

[Thai]

How come Toyota 4Runner doesn't have the same TSB for this condition? I guess it's only annoying for Lexus owner because they paid more for the same truck?

My guess...the problem is that there is a lot more 4runner on the road than GX. Therefore, this TSB will cost Toyota a lot of money if 4runners are included. I bet that Toyota/Lexus is doing only GX to see if the fix is indeed definitive in the real world. Once this fix is determined to be definitive, then Toyota may issue a TSB for 4runner owners. In other words, it would suck badly for Toyota if they included the 4runners and later find out that the fix is no good.

It's always cheaper to test a part/fix out on a small population before including everyone.

 

[Cthusker]

My guess...the problem is that there is a lot more 4runner on the road than GX. Therefore, this TSB will cost Toyota a lot of money if 4runners are included. I bet that Toyota/Lexus is doing only GX to see if the fix is indeed definitive in the real world. Once this fix is determined to be definitive, then Toyota may issue a TSB for 4runner owners. In other words, it would suck badly for Toyota if they included the 4runners and later find out that the fix is no good.

It's always cheaper to test a part/fix out on a small population before including everyone.

:iagree: ... it does makes sense from that stand point. Lets hope this fix actually resolves the problem because it sure is annoying! Thanks for the response.......

 

[cyclops24]

I hope this is true cause the thud is getting more and more pronounced and that is my only gripe right now about the vehicle. They better issue this TSB for 4Runners. Are there any consumer rights groups that can be contacted if they don't? I mean this is the same powertrain we are talking about so it should go for both the GX470 as well as the 4Runner. Sorry, the more I think about it the hotter I get since the Runner is a $36k vehicle.

 

[Thai]

Your best chance is to make some noise with your local Toyota dealership about this TSB.

 

[Cthusker]

I hope this is true cause the thud is getting more and more pronounced and that is my only gripe right now about the vehicle. They better issue this TSB for 4Runners. Are there any consumer rights groups that can be contacted if they don't? I mean this is the same powertrain we are talking about so it should go for both the GX470 as well as the 4Runner. Sorry, the more I think about it the hotter I get since the Runner is a $36k vehicle.

Let me tell you that "ALL" mfgs operate about the same. I have 06 almost 60 grand Corvette that the tops are flying off! I'm not kidding... With the std painted top the glue comes loose and it can fly off while on the highway!! GM's known about the problem for well over a year and just kept making the cars with the "FLYING TOPS"! They just now issued a recall for this condition but the fix doesn't work. Some people have had FOUR tops put on and all failed.... Fortunately I also have the lexan translucent top which is optional... that top is made different and doesn't fail. So the price of the vehicle doesn't seem to count for much when there are problems. I'll take my "CLUNK" problem over my "FLYING TOP" problem any day of the week...
:biggrin2:

 

[cyclops24]

Unfortunately you are correct. GM is really really bad and my experience thus far with Toyota service hasn't been much better. The thing is there is obviously a fix for this problem and the power trains are one in the same so they should issue the TSB for both vehicles. My next door neighbor is a regional sales rep for Toyota maybe I will ask him what I should do.

 

[Cthusker]

Unfortunately you are correct. GM is really really bad and my experience thus far with Toyota service hasn't been much better. The thing is there is obviously a fix for this problem and the power trains are one in the same so they should issue the TSB for both vehicles. My next door neighbor is a regional sales rep for Toyota maybe I will ask him what I should do.

I'd be very interested to hear what he tells you to do! My 05 4Runner has been flawless except for that annoying "CLUNK". When you buy a 40 grand truck I think it's not to much to expect not to hear something like that in the drive train. Don't get me wrong in that I love the vehicle but this should be taken care of by Toyota. Everyone I know that has one complains about it... and Toyota has know about the issue for at least for 4 years now. So you're right.. they aren't any better then GM in getting something taken care of very fast....... keep us posted what your neighbor says.

 

[cyclops24]

Has anyone brought this up with the customer relationship manager at your dealership?

I just sent an email to Toyota and asked them to show me that they two powertrains are different to show me why there hasn't been a TSB issued for both vehicles. I asked them do explain why the TSB wasn't issued for the 4Runner. I ams ure I will get a generic response and end up calling them.

 

[Cthusker]

Has anyone brought this up with the customer relationship manager at your dealership?

I just sent an email to Toyota and asked them to show me that they two powertrains are different to show me why there hasn't been a TSB issued for both vehicles. I asked them do explain why the TSB wasn't issued for the 4Runner. I ams ure I will get a generic response and end up calling them.

From what I understand there is NO difference in these power trains. I get the feeling that Toyota wants to make sure Leuxs owners are happy while... 4Runner owners can pound sand!! If that turns out to be true then us 4Runner owners should raise hell with Toyota! I think we're just as important and my truck was well over 40 grand! Not exactly cheap if you ask me....

 

[claydoctor]

Driveshaft Thunk

My dealer said they would first lubricate the fitting and if that didn't work, they would take driveshaft out ,lubricate it and put it back. That was about 3 months ago and it's still doing it. I haven't had time to take it back. NOW a new wrinkle, when backing up from a dead stop and then shifting into drive, I'm getting a delay in shifting in each direction, then it sorta slams into gear. This is one of the many reasons I traded my Explorer, it was doing the same thing!

 

[claydoctor]

UPDATE! Just stopped in 7-11 on the way home from work. A woman parks beside me in a Lexus 470. As she exited the vehicle, I said,"Does your car thump?" She was undestandably confused and when I repeated myself, she said, "Oh, you mean the driveshaft?" Seems the last time she took it in for service she was specifically asked by the service manager as to whether she ever experienced a thump like someone had tapped her from behind. When she answered that come to think of it, she had experienced the problem, he told her to bring it in and they would replace the shaft. My guess is they will first replace all the Lexus driveshafts before working their way down to the proletariat. Time to start a letter-writing campaign guys. I have an appointment next Monday on mine. Stay tuned.

 

[Cthusker]

UPDATE! Just stopped in 7-11 on the way home from work. A woman parks beside me in a Lexus 470. As she exited the vehicle, I said,"Does your car thump?" She was undestandably confused and when I repeated myself, she said, "Oh, you mean the driveshaft?" Seems the last time she took it in for service she was specifically asked by the service manager as to whether she ever experienced a thump like someone had tapped her from behind. When she answered that come to think of it, she had experienced the problem, he told her to bring it in and they would replace the shaft. My guess is they will first replace all the Lexus driveshafts before working their way down to the proletariat. Time to start a letter-writing campaign guys. I have an appointment next Monday on mine. Stay tuned.

:wtf: that is really :bs: .... VERY ANNOYING! Good work however finding out that Lexus wants to fix the problem while Toyota prefers to "LURK" around. I would really like this problem taken care of once and for all...... Thanks again for the info regarding Lexus!

 

[cyclops24]

I noticed this AM that the condition is less pronounced when not using the AC. Why is this?

I also was coming to a stop for an intersection on an incline and when the tranny shifted down when I gave it a slight amount of gas, it felt like the drive shaft was going to fall out. This was going maybe 5mph then touching the gas a little to come up the hill to the stop sign.

 

[00328]

I think it's because the A/C just adds more of a load when it kicks on.
I've also noticed when the A/C is on that I get multiple clunks.
They definitely need to address this and get it straightened out.

 

[Cthusker]

I noticed this AM that the condition is less pronounced when not using the AC. Why is this?

I also was coming to a stop for an intersection on an incline and when the tranny shifted down when I gave it a slight amount of gas, it felt like the drive shaft was going to fall out. This was going maybe 5mph then touching the gas a little to come up the hill to the stop sign.

I'm guessing that the RPM is slightly elevated when the A/C is on which might make a bigger "CLUNK"........

 

[cyclops24]

Do we have any course of action if they don't issue a TSB or won't try and fix the problem? I have used the lemon law before with GM and won but you have to have a good case. You would have to be able to demonstrate the condition each time to the tech or service manager, have it documented and take it back at least 3 times and still be able to demonstrate the condition exists prior to filing a lemon law case.

 

[mikestang]

I lubed my driveshafts yesterday and still have the clunk. Next time I have a need to go to the dealer I'll be bringing in the Lexus recall and see what they can do.

 

[claydoctor]

Mine is doing a few other things which I don't know if it is related. Now when I take my foot off the brake at a light to go forward, I sometimes get a thump. Similarly, if I'm going down the street coasting about 40 mph and then get back on the gas, it will sorta clunk. Feels like slop in the drivetrain. And one last thing, sometimes if I take my foot off the gas and am coasting at 35-40 mph, it feels like it's holding back as thought it wants to upshift but can't. Anyone?

 

[cyclops24]

I have similar issues like you claydoctor. Rolling at low speeds sometimes say if I am coming to a red light and slowing down for it then it turns green before I come to a stop and get back on the gas the drivetrain will clunk and feels like it is dropping right onto the pavement. I also had the same exact clunk as yesterday morning this morning, rolling up to the stop sign on the incline and then tapping the gas to come up to it to come to a stop. Nice big CLUNK! What's strange is the condition has gotten worse over time. It was non-existant when I first got the vehicle then I started to notice what felt like the tranny dropping. I thought it was the tranny itself until I did a search on this board and found out about the drive shaft. Now it is so bad, even my girlfriend complains about it because it literally feels like after coming to a complete stop and sitting there for 5-10 seconds that someone is rear ending you.

 

[Cthusker]

I have similar issues like you claydoctor. Rolling at low speeds sometimes say if I am coming to a red light and slowing down for it then it turns green before I come to a stop and get back on the gas the drivetrain will clunk and feels like it is dropping right onto the pavement. I also had the same exact clunk as yesterday morning this morning, rolling up to the stop sign on the incline and then tapping the gas to come up to it to come to a stop. Nice big CLUNK! What's strange is the condition has gotten worse over time. It was non-existant when I first got the vehicle then I started to notice what felt like the tranny dropping. I thought it was the tranny itself until I did a search on this board and found out about the drive shaft. Now it is so bad, even my girlfriend complains about it because it literally feels like after coming to a complete stop and sitting there for 5-10 seconds that someone is rear ending you.

What's EXTREMELY annoying is Toyota has known about this for a long time. At first they had the old "Head in the Sand" trick (I could have said something else)... When that didn't work it was squirt it full of grease and possibly make it worse or just listen to the CLUNK! Now they issue a TSB for LEXUS but NADA for 4Runners. It really makes me wonder about Toyota right now. I would sure like to get rid of this ANNOYING clunk in my 05runner. Lets hope Toyota gets their act together and fixes this problem SOON!