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

[AndroT100]

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.

When I spoke with the Toyota Tech that brought my replacement shaft by hand to my dealer in 03, he said that this clunking is a problem that has existed with their products for years. You can see my earlier posts for his explanation.....basically a problem of the alloy used in the slip joint. It does get stuck and the clunking is it releasing...per this Tech...

 

[cyclops24]

So Toyota is the one of the only automakers that can't design a drive shaft that doesn't bind? That's basically what they are saying if it has existed for years and they know the cause.

 

[Chuck4x4]

The CLUNK is not just with Toyota

It is not just Toyota that has problems with a drive shaft klunk.

The following is from driveshaftsuperstore:

NOTICE: MANY VEHICLES (CHEVY MAINLY) WITH A SLIP YOKE MAKE A CLUNK NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE. ELIMINATE THAT FOR EVER WITH AN SYE FROM US. TAHOES, CHEVY P/Us, JUST ANYTHING WITH A SLIP YOKE. WE WILL MAKE YOU A YOKE TO BOLT TO THE TRANNY OR TRANSFER CASE SO THAT THE SLIDING IS ELIMINATED FROM THE YOKE. WE WILL MAKE A DRIVE SHAFT TO GO WITH IT.

I saw that "MAKE A CLUNK NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE" and immediately thought of this thread.

BTW, I have no connection to driveshaftsuperstore nor do I know if their product will "ELIMINATE THAT FOR EVER", but I thought I'd pass it along.

 

[06RunnaLTD]

No more clunking for me.

Hey all, first post. I've been watching this thread for several weeks and finally took action.

Grease Gun w/ rubber hose attachment $12.00
I Tube of Lucas NGLI "Anti-Seize" red grease $3.99
20 mins of my time...


Clunking is gone! Even after several panic stops theres is no clunk, pop, thunk of any sort. The nipple I used is the one directly behind the transfer case. I squirted approximately 12 thin lines of the grease and that is it. I saw earlier posts that said it came back a few days later but I have yet to feel a thing but smooth stopping/accelerating and this was 3 weeks ago. What a relief. I dealed with the dreaded tempermental driveline thunk for almost 6 months before having enough. 2 Toyota dealers wasted my time with their explainations and excuses. One service manager at Charles Barker Toyota in Virginia Beach acted like I was the first person to ever bring it up.

Do yourself a favor and do this!

 

[4RunnerRon]

wups i meant 02... 58k miles

Ok, so I wasn't out of my mind... my initial response to you was because you drive an 02... which, correct me if I'm wrong, is not the same generation 4Runner as 03-06. Hence, your problem is probably not the same since your engine/drivetrain parts are completely different.

 

[4RunnerRon]

Re: No more clunking for me.

Hey all, first post. I've been watching this thread for several weeks and finally took action.

Grease Gun w/ rubber hose attachment $12.00
I Tube of Lucas NGLI "Anti-Seize" red grease $3.99
20 mins of my time...


Clunking is gone! Even after several panic stops theres is no clunk, pop, thunk of any sort. The nipple I used is the one directly behind the transfer case. I squirted approximately 12 thin lines of the grease and that is it. I saw earlier posts that said it came back a few days later but I have yet to feel a thing but smooth stopping/accelerating and this was 3 weeks ago. What a relief. I dealed with the dreaded tempermental driveline thunk for almost 6 months before having enough. 2 Toyota dealers wasted my time with their explainations and excuses. One service manager at Charles Barker Toyota in Virginia Beach acted like I was the first person to ever bring it up.

Do yourself a favor and do this!

Standby... it'll be back eventually. The problem is only masked temporarily with proper lubrication. That's why Lexus came out with a recently released TSB for fixing this same problem, which exists on their GX470 (same drivetrain). The Lexus TSB called for a redesigned driveshaft, plus a redesigned set of rear control arms. Apparently, the combination of these new parts change the angles or something, causing this binding problem, and resulting clunk, to stop.

Maybe I should tape Lexus badges to my 4Runner and see what that'll get me at the dealership!

 

[06RunnaLTD]

Re: Re: No more clunking for me.

If the horrible outcome of the clunking returns, should there be a regrease or just prayer that Toyota will recognize the issue and fix it like on the GX's. I am concerned because obviously 4Runner's outsell the GX's and if its just a PR move for Lexus owners, 4Runner owners will be SOL. I am very happy with my $43,000 4Runner except when it was clunking. Ironically, I traded a Lexus GS300 for my Runner and I am regretting it. not one problem on the GS.

 

[RickyCRX]

If so many of them do it, can you really call it a 'problem' or just an 'annoyance?'

Consider it an annoyance and just realize that it could be much worse -- it could be a GM or Ford product that leaves you stranded on the side of the road.

Ricky

 

[4RunnerRon]

If so many of them do it, can you really call it a 'problem' or just an 'annoyance?'

Consider it an annoyance and just realize that it could be much worse -- it could be a GM or Ford product that leaves you stranded on the side of the road.

Ricky

I agree to a point, but I HATE annoyances like this. Rattles or squeaks, clunks or grinds, I hate em all. I actually sold my last car (03 Acura RSX Type-S) because it had a grinding issue when shifting gears. Even the warranty fix didn't completely cure it. So I bought a Toyota, and aside from some minor noises, which I'll address with the dealer soon, it's been a great truck. But the clunk is more than just annoying. It's not just the sound, it affects deceleration/acceleration smoothness and makes me feel like I'm getting rear ended at stop lights. To me, this is unacceptable, whether you drive a $20k car or a $60k car.

 

[Thai]

Uh-oh, looks like Lexus is doing something...either slowing down the parts manufacturing or revising them:

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240365

Looks like 4runner owner's chance of getting this TSB is slipping away....

 

[MoNkV6]

Just had my drive shaft lubed on my 03 SE V8 at Champion Toyota in Philly and it took care of the problem. I don't understand how you would not want to regularly have it lubricated since it is an open drive shaft and not sealed, it will eventually dry up by design. I would assume many non lubricated drive shafts would have problems like this (or worse), but I may be wrong.

 

[ptung07]

Just had my drive shaft lubed on my 03 SE V8 at Champion Toyota in Philly and it took care of the problem. I don't understand how you would not want to regularly have it lubricated since it is an open drive shaft and not sealed, it will eventually dry up by design. I would assume many non lubricated drive shafts would have problems like this (or worse), but I may be wrong.

Same here, 2003 4Runner V8 4WD. Since lubricated and driven about 1,000 miles, the driveshaft clunking problem hasn't occured yet. However, I know it will come back once it is "dry" but I do not mind lubricating it because it seems like regular maintance.

 

[claydoctor]

Same here, 2003 4Runner V8 4WD. Since lubricated and driven about 1,000 miles, the driveshaft clunking problem hasn't occured yet. However, I know it will come back once it is "dry" but I do not mind lubricating it because it seems like regular maintance.

I don't consider regular maintenance to mean every two weeks, which is about how long it takes for the problem to come back after the lube. Lexus must not consider it regular maintenance either as they have elected a permanent fix on their vehicles.

 

[ptung07]

I don't consider regular maintenance to mean every two weeks, which is about how long it takes for the problem to come back after the lube. Lexus must not consider it regular maintenance either as they have elected a permanent fix on their vehicles.

Did I say 2 weeks? I am not saying you are wrong but I guess the problem varies between vehicles. However, I guess I have to relube it next time when I change my oil or every other oil change which my service advisor said (i think that it pushing it though)

 

[rx900]

Uh-oh, looks like Lexus is doing something...either slowing down the parts manufacturing or revising them:

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240365

Looks like 4runner owner's chance of getting this TSB is slipping away....

yes unfortunately I think Lexus is backing off their TSB for the moment. Maybe too much supply in demand???

And for those who relube it, doesn't work. Did that with my GX back like 2 years ago, and your "clunk-free" happiness only last about 2-3k miles the most.

 

[claydoctor]

Mine now seems to be doing it with my foot on the brake immediately after I stop. In addition it now does it sometimes when the light changes and I take my foot off the brake.

 

[4RunnerRon]

Well, I finally reached 5k miles and took it in for the first service. I mentioned the driveshaft problem and brought in pages of printed comments from t4r.org and clublexus regarding the clunk. I also printed the Lexus TSB so I'd have some ammunition when asking for a complete solution to the problem.

When meeting with the sevice writer, I tried to hand him the Lexus TSB and explain the relationship between our 4Runners and the GX470. He wouldn't even take the sheet, telling me that lubing the driveshaft fixes the problem. I told him many owners have found that this only works for a short time. He wasn't having it.

When I drove with the tech to confirm the problem, I told him the same thing and showed him the TSB. He seemed somewhat interested (having never seen the Lexus TSB) and agreed that the trucks were virtually the same as far as drivetrain is concerned. He said he'd show his lead tech what I brought him, and would see if he could fix it to the Lexus TSB standards. I doubt anything more will come from it, but I get it back today, so I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[toy4x4boy]

I doubt anything more will come from it, but I get it back today, so I'll keep everyone posted.

So what's the verdict?

 

[4RunnerRon]

Service Update

Ok, I got the 4Runner back from service. Here's the update...

When I took it in, I rode with a tech to show him the problem. During the test ride, it only clunked once, and not too badly, but the tech told me he felt it. During the test ride, I showed the tech some papers I brought with me. I showed him the Lexus GX470 clunk TSB, as well as pages of complaints from this website and others about the clunking. He said he had never seen the Lexus TSB and would show it to his manager.

I tried showing the same stuff to my service writer, but he acted like he was Superman and it was Kryptonite. He told me, "all we do is lube the driveshaft and that always fixes it." I told him about the complaints that the problem comes back prematurely, but he changed the subject.

So when I picked up the truck, I got a copy of the service writeup. On this paper, they claimed the clunking noise wasn't duplicated (even though the tech claimed otherwise), but they lubed the driveshaft. My other complaints (concerning a squeak in the dash and another in the rear seat) were also dismissed with "could not duplicate problem." I even brought a copy of the rear seat squeak TSB to help speed up the process. No dice... still squeaks because they didn't do it.

So far, with the new lube on the driveshaft, that issue seems okay. I'm not surprised at all that Toyota didn't do more. They have their procedures and policies that keep them from doing whatever the customer wants. With that in mind, I am going to be paying attention to the clunk and take it in as soon as it returns. If that happens to be before my next oil change, then I'm gonna raise hell. Any REGULAR maintenance is not something you need to do more than once every 5,000 miles or so. If they expect me to crawl under the truck with a grease gun, they're crazy. So I'm gonna bug them with the issue over and over until it's documented enough that I can complain and push for the Lexus TSB.

In the meantime, I'll be providing feedback about my service experience to the President of the dealership. I met him last year and he's a decent guy who cares about his dealership's reputation. If he makes things right, I'll let you know. It doesn't look like a TSB is coming from Toyota anytime soon. Maybe they'll address the issue in the next gen 4Runner?

 

[rx900]

I just remembered something. You guys are lucky that this "temporary" fix for the clunk is just greasing. My GX went thru an even worse situation. I'd say, this new driveshaft of mine, is probably the 4th or 5th driveshaft my car's ever had?!?!? It felt like they were just screwing around with my car and i would have preferred the greasing and replacement of the driveshaft only ONCE.

But i totally disagree on CV on his post at CL. IT DOES COME BACK ON GREASING ONLY.