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

[Thai]

JON, so, you did not fix the problem with the instructions given in that thread, right?? If not, then i could have told you that from the beginning. Lubing is only a temporary fix for most 4th gen 4runners. This is, IMHO, a design flaw rear suspension. This is why changing out the driveshaft does NOT work either. It is the geometry of the rear suspension that is the main problem. You have to do the whole thing, as directed in the 4/06 Lexus TSB.

 

[frohbego]

Where can i find information on the 4/06 Lexus TSB.?

Will this fix it? And is this the only way?

Thanks!
-JON

 

[KimoSan]

Lexus TSB

frohbego, go back a few pages in this thread. The TSB was posted by someone else.

 

[frohbego]

Follow up....

just had ny local shop guy take a look at it. The only thing he thinks might be wronge is that there may be too much play in the front drive/trans axle. He said jeeps have no play and wasent sure if the 4runners should?

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!!
-JON

 

[claydoctor]

Re: Follow up....

just had ny local shop guy take a look at it. The only thing he thinks might be wronge is that there may be too much play in the front drive/trans axle. He said jeeps have no play and wasent sure if the 4runners should?

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!!
-JON

We're kinda beating a dead horse here. Lexus has apparently figured out what's wrong and is fixing it. We're just waiting for Toyota to decide to fix the problem for the poor relations as well.

 

[frohbego]

So claydoctor. Is there anything i can do?
Should i take it down to my local toyota dealer. Can they fix this... Not sure i follow you..

thanks for your help and advise.

 

[cyclops24]

Read the entire thread from post#1 and you'll be up to speed. Best of luck to you getting Toyota to fix it.

 

[frohbego]

Like many of these post mine never thuds/knocks coming o a complete stop. Mostly when your moving. Speeing up or slowing down.... Alot of time jus letting off the gas at 30mph it will do it.... Not when i come to a complete stop... Anyone have this?

 

[cyclops24]

Frohbego,

Mine does that to say coming to a red light that turns green and if I give it gas, thud/clunk or going up a hill to a 4-way stop thud/clunk. I also feel the thud/clunk sometimes when releasing the brake to start out. And then when I use the AC I get the dreaded thud/clunk/push from behind while sitting still in traffic.

 

[frohbego]

Even worse..

I also just noticed that the knock/thud happens more oftan and louder with the Air Conditioning is on.

 

[frohbego]

I went 2 days with no knock/thud.... It still does it every once and a while but much lighter.

 

[claydoctor]

Be patient. It will be back.

 

[frohbego]

Just a heads up.. My thud is comming from the front axle.. It also only thuds when i'm slowing down. Down hill or braking for traffic...For example when i'm going 50mph and sow down to 30 or 20mph.. Not when i come to a comlete stop... Is this the same issue??????


Did i buy the correct grease?? - http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Synthetic_Grease.aspx

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oh yeah i forgot to mention.. I took it in to the local toyota dealer last week who are super nice and very helpful... They looked it over and said it checked out fine.. Drive train/axles.. are fine.... They even went over all my grease fittings underneath just to make sure i did not miss any... I think the grease deffiantly helped.

They also told me to go back to the place i had my front and rear differentials drained and have them add a rear friction modifier in the rear. Which they did.

So for now.. every once and a while when i apply the brake it get a slight thud in the front axle is seems... Usally happens on my way to a complete stop...

Thanks for everyones help
-JON

 

[4RunnerRon]

Hey JON, I've been reading your recent posts about your clunking issue, but I notice in your posts that you have an 02 4Runner? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the issue we're all talking about in this thread is specific to the 4th gens (03+). Perhaps your problem isn't the same - the suspension design in your 02 is totally different - it's possible your issue could be a bad engine/trans mount or something other than the driveshaft causing the clunk. Anyway, correct me if I'm wrong guys, but just thought I'd point out that we might be talking about two different vehicles.

 

[4RunnerRon]

Since the weather has been cooler and I haven't used the AC, the clunk is gone. I have yet to feel the slightest clunk coming to a stop.

It is definitely not as prevalent during cold weather, but once it warms up - A/C on or not - it still clunks, in varying degrees.

 

[00328]

It is definitely not as prevalent during cold weather, but once it warms up - A/C on or not - it still clunks, in varying degrees.

Exactly the way mine is.

 

[frohbego]

Thanks... I do have an 03 SR5.
Mine mosty thuds when i'm going about 50mph and hit the brakes... Just to slow down.. Not fully stop and keep going... Cold or hot weather does not matter.... Even a cold or warm engine.

How can i tell if my mount is bad?

 

[4RunnerRon]

The engine/trans mount idea was just an example... I don't think these parts would fail so early on a 2003 model vehicle. You're probably experiencing the same thing as us, just haven't noticed the bump from a stop yet. The drivetrain binds up when decelerating sometimes, to you'll feel it while driving, but most of the time it's most noticable when you let off the brake from a dead stop.

 

[frohbego]

wups i meant 02... 58k miles

 

[Baba Booey]

I have not really noticed any trouble with my driveshaft. However, if I do have problems in the future, perhaps I would contact a driveshaft "specialist" like the one in the attached web link to see if I could get some help.

Who knows, maybe if we could organize a group buy, a company such as this would be willing and able to solve our clunking problems for a reasonable cost. I would probably wait until my factory warranty has expired, though.

Custom Driveshafts