azskyrider
New member
I wonder if buying the TSB parts or buying an aftermarket Driveshaft would work for those who are out of warranty.
Just and Idea.
Just and Idea.
Drive shaft noise or U joint noise (LEXUS 4/06 TSB page 18) aka Driveshaft thump/bump
- Thread starter rorad
- Start date
Cthusker
New member
I wouldn't consider that you're out of warranty since this was a problem from day 1 on all 03 + Runners. Why should you have to pay anything? I'd hammer Toyota to make it right regardless of miles or year! At least see what they'll do if they ever get around to issuing a TBS.......azskyrider said:
Well, here's the bullshit repsonse I received from Toyota which was immediately followed up by a more aggressive email since my question was avoided all together.
"Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message and our response.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Subject
Issue with 4Runner drivetrain
Discussion Thread
Response (Anissa) 08/02/2006 04:40 PM
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize for the delay in responding. Toyota and Lexus are two different divisions and have different operation and warranty guidelines. At this time, there is no TSB for the concern you have described. Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #200608011579. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Toyota Customer Experience
Customer (ME) 07/23/2006 11:42 AM
I own a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. When I come to a stop there is often a thud or clunk from the rear of the vehicle. This is a well known issue with 4Runners and the service depts usually tell you it is "normal". Not on a $36-43k truck in my opinion. Apparently the Lexus GX470 also has this issue since it shares the 4Runners's powertrain. Well, Lexus has issued a TSB for the condition which can be found at http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Lexus/11...R-06/index.html . Why hasn't Toyota issued the same TSB for the 4Runner? Can you show me that the powertrains and or propeller shafts and control arms are different for the GX470 vs. the 4Runner? Does Toyota plan to issue a TSB for the 4Runner? Does Toyota now offer the new parts that are being used for the GX470 for the 4Runner? Why as Toyota owners are we not receiving the same attention as the Lexus owners to fix or reduce this problem with the powertrain?
"Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message and our response.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Subject
Issue with 4Runner drivetrain
Discussion Thread
Response (Anissa) 08/02/2006 04:40 PM
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize for the delay in responding. Toyota and Lexus are two different divisions and have different operation and warranty guidelines. At this time, there is no TSB for the concern you have described. Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #200608011579. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Toyota Customer Experience
Customer (ME) 07/23/2006 11:42 AM
I own a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. When I come to a stop there is often a thud or clunk from the rear of the vehicle. This is a well known issue with 4Runners and the service depts usually tell you it is "normal". Not on a $36-43k truck in my opinion. Apparently the Lexus GX470 also has this issue since it shares the 4Runners's powertrain. Well, Lexus has issued a TSB for the condition which can be found at http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Lexus/11...R-06/index.html . Why hasn't Toyota issued the same TSB for the 4Runner? Can you show me that the powertrains and or propeller shafts and control arms are different for the GX470 vs. the 4Runner? Does Toyota plan to issue a TSB for the 4Runner? Does Toyota now offer the new parts that are being used for the GX470 for the 4Runner? Why as Toyota owners are we not receiving the same attention as the Lexus owners to fix or reduce this problem with the powertrain?
claydoctor
New member
Well I took mine in Monday. The 4-5 service guys that check you in act like they have never heard of the problem. If you pushed them they would probably deny working for Toyota. I left a detailed note about the problem including a copy of the Lexus TSB. When I picked up my keys and the receipt from the cashier the next day, all it says is "removed driveshaft and lubricated". I was in too big of a hurry to get into it with the service manager but may in the near future. In the meantime, I say we all write a letter to Toyota. Anybody want to post the address. How about you lawyer types that own 4-Runners and are having this problem. My brother loves to start making phone calls to Detroit when he has a problem. He usually gets results too. How about some interesting ideas for people to copy the letters to like J.D. Power,pertinent federal agencies etc..
Cthusker
New member
I got the same drivel from my Toyota service manager! They don't know ANYTHING about Lexus or what they're doing because they're a different division. As for the "CLUNK" they were shocked and seems like I'm the only one that's complained... LIARS! TOTAL LIARS! They offered to LUBE it which I responded that doesn't work! Already had it done and now you are trying to LUBE me! No thanks pal... and I walked out. Total bunch of :bs: I strongly suspect dealers have been told what the company line of :bs: is and they are sticking to it. I don't believe Toyota has any intention of issuing a TSB for our 4Runners.... Perhaps we need to bombard Toyota with emails, letters and complaints! I have a 40 grand truck that "CLUNKS" almost every time you start and stop which is extremely annoying! Now I find out Toyota is taking care of Lexus customers while flat out dumping on us! I guess they figure that Lexus owners shouldn't have that loud clunk while 4Runner owners can just live with it..... what say you?
claydoctor said:
Ok, what do we need to do to get Toyota's attention? 10 guys from an internet message board certainly isn't going to even concern them. I don't even know if an attorney who practices consumer law could help. What is required for a class action lawsuit? For you guys that are getting your shaft lubed, does the clunk still happen or does it return in time? I mean if it is still there and you can demonstrate it, why not take it back every week until it is documented then after the 3rd try start a lemon law case? I know that it is hard to make time to get in there and these stupid service depts are booked so solid it is hard to even get in. I hate to admit it but I got more of a response from GM when I contacted them and so far in contacting Toyota twice now for problems, I haven't gotten jack shit. Hell they won't even answer my questions.
msanta
New member
The clunk returns even after you lube all the points on the entire driveshaft. I did all once and it returned again after a couple of months, then someone mentioned that it wasn't a good idea to do it so I stopped for now. I may give it another lube job on my next oil change! My brother in law is a judge, I am going to ask him what it would take to do a class action suit. I may need to have an idea of how many people are willing to go ahead with this!
Well you can count me in. I already exercised the lemon law with GM for my POS GTO that had major paint issues and got a settlement and it was easy as pie and didn't cost me anything other than grief dealing with GM. I will say this, keep all your docs from your service visits and any correspondence with Toyota. I had all my service receipts for the warranty work, all my emails to and from GM so I had a pretty good case. I would suggest making copies of them as well and just in case and never leave them in your glove box cause they might "disappear".
Cthusker
New member
This line totally cracks me up in Toyota's response! What they meant to say was that we "CARE" about taking care of Lexus customers while you low life Toyota owners can just suffer. It's the same damn truck so who are they kidding?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We apologize for the delay in responding. Toyota and Lexus are two different divisions and have different operation and warranty guidelines
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We apologize for the delay in responding. Toyota and Lexus are two different divisions and have different operation and warranty guidelines
Iron Clad Lou
New member
my 98 Honda Passport had the same problem...dealer said there was no problem...it continued to do it till the day I traded it....never got worse and never became an issue...FYI
Why live with it if there is a fix available? Why discriminate?
Anywho, here is the second response I got from the helpful folks over at Toyota.
"Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message and our response.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Subject
Issue with 4Runner drivetrain
Discussion Thread
Response (Anissa) 08/03/2006 12:10 PM
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize for any concern you may be experiencing with your 2006 4Runner.
We are not structured to offer on-line technical evaluation, diagrams, or further repair or diagnostic information. To obtain the greatest level of technical service from Toyota, we recommend you contact the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealer. Our dealerships possess specialized technical knowledge in the areas of diagnosis and repair, and would have the opportunity to review you vehicle first hand.
Additionally, our dealerships do have technical support and are provided with the latest technical information available.
If you are experiencing any concern with your vehicle, please feel free to contact the Customer Relations Manager at your please contact your local Toyota dealership for further assistance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 800-331-4331 between the hours of 5 AM and 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, with your file #200608011579.
Toyota Customer Experience
Anywho, here is the second response I got from the helpful folks over at Toyota.
"Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message and our response.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Subject
Issue with 4Runner drivetrain
Discussion Thread
Response (Anissa) 08/03/2006 12:10 PM
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize for any concern you may be experiencing with your 2006 4Runner.
We are not structured to offer on-line technical evaluation, diagrams, or further repair or diagnostic information. To obtain the greatest level of technical service from Toyota, we recommend you contact the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealer. Our dealerships possess specialized technical knowledge in the areas of diagnosis and repair, and would have the opportunity to review you vehicle first hand.
Additionally, our dealerships do have technical support and are provided with the latest technical information available.
If you are experiencing any concern with your vehicle, please feel free to contact the Customer Relations Manager at your please contact your local Toyota dealership for further assistance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 800-331-4331 between the hours of 5 AM and 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, with your file #200608011579.
Toyota Customer Experience
I bet if you send an email to a dealership inquiring about a 4Runner and tell them you heard it is the same drivetrain as the GX470 and wanted to confirm this, they will. They'll use it as a selling point just like my salesman did. Corporate knows nothing and the divisions are different...great responses. Pissing me off now.
msanta said:
Why is it not a good idea to lube the propellor shaft? That's the part causing the problem, right? Mine clunks too if the propellor shaft goes dry, but I have all 4 zircs (spelling?) lubed every 3000 miles when I get my oil changed at the dealer. As long as they use sufficient grease, the clunk is pretty well controlled. What am I missing?
AndroT100
Member
starflt said:
Here I quote my own post from Feb., 06:
"I have the new shaft. I got it early after purchasing my 03 SE 4x4 V8 in Sept. of 03. I now have about 28500 miles on the vehicle.
The clunk is still happening.
You can read my earlier posts in this thread and others about this situation. I investigated it pretty thoroughly and spoke at length with the Toyota engineer that hand delivered my new drive-shaft for installation.
This is a problem they have been having for years and years in a few generations of 4Runners. It does not have any deleterious result except that you have the experience of the clunk.
The Toyota engineer said specifically not to pack the location with greese. Period. It is harmful to do so as the force of the impacts that do occur are then transfered to the casing of the transfer case or transmission...can't remember just now which. He said there have been cases of cracked casings because of over-lubing.
Basically the new shaft provides for a lower frequency of clunking...it does not eliminate it....but the clunking isn't causing any other problems and the parts last for hundreds of thousands of miles."
