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

[Editorchops]

Just got a call today...

from Toyota Customer Experience rep named Monique. She says she going to call the dealership that I have my vehicle serviced at and call me back in a few days. I told her about the TSB that was issued for the Lexus and also informed her that there is quite a buzz on the internet regarding the problematic drive shaft. I told her to be prepared for a flood of calls in the next few days. Everybody who hasn't called...please call now.

-Editorchops

 

[TeryT]

EVERYBODY CALL TOYOTA!!

I've got a Toyota case number! I didn't take it into the dealer yet for this, but I gave such a story about the history of this thing, they issued me a case number anyway!

EVERYBODY CALL!!!:awais:

 

[a77boy]

Post the number again please. I had a '97 4 runner limited that did the thump from day one,, and the exact same thing with my '03. I am not quite sure how they design this thing, I mean I know that Toyota knows that it does it. My '97 never gave me one problem with the tranny, sold it with 160,000. It is an odd design I guess but it works.

BTW: does it make a difference if my vehicle is out of warranty?

 

[TeryT]

Here it is: Toyota Customer Experience Center
800 331

 

[avrunner]

Toyota Customer Experience Center
800 331

 

[cyclops24]

I have called Toyota Customer Service on several occassions. When I bought my 4Runner in December of 05, the steering wheel was crooked. I took it to the dealership twice both times they told me that the wheel alignment was in spec. They didn't get the fact or care that the steering wheel was not centered with the wheels. I ended up taking it to alignment shopwhere the guy knew exactly what I meant and did say the wheels were in alginment but the steering wheel was offset. So 20 minutes later I had a straight steering wheel and I was $40 lighter in the wallet. I called Toyota and they could care less just said what did it cost you and is there anything else we can help you with? I also called them after I took it in for the clunk and a belt squeal noise. When I would floor it and the truck would drop down a gear there would be a squeal noise like a belt slipping. This was a different dealer than the first and they said they couldn't reproduce either complaint and that I should bring it back so their expert noise listener could diagnose it and that he is only available during the week and that I should bring it in on a dry day cause that might effect the issues. Once again Toyota wanted to do nothing. Sent numerous emails about the Lexus TSB and the posts on this board. Also talked about Lemon Law and class action and they still didn't give a shit. I love my 4Runner and it is a quality vehicle but the customer service sucks. Even worse than Ford and about equal to GM although GM can be really bad. They at least try to fix the problem where Toyota denies one even exists. I really want to get rid of the thumping and I was told there is a fix for this cause the Ford Bronco's also had the same thump caused by driveshaft binding and that it can be fixed with a special grease from Lincoln/Mercury that is blue. I haven't tried it yet but plan on it since it will cost $60 to try it. It is worth the expense not to get my blood pressure up at the dealership dealing with a bunch of sheisters and morons.

 

[TeryT]

I have called Toyota Customer Service on several occassions. When I bought my 4Runner in December of 05, the steering wheel was crooked. I took it to the dealership twice both times they told me that the wheel alignment was in spec. They didn't get the fact or care that the steering wheel was not centered with the wheels. I ended up taking it to alignment shopwhere the guy knew exactly what I meant and did say the wheels were in alginment but the steering wheel was offset. So 20 minutes later I had a straight steering wheel and I was $40 lighter in the wallet. I called Toyota and they could care less just said what did it cost you and is there anything else we can help you with? I also called them after I took it in for the clunk and a belt squeal noise. When I would floor it and the truck would drop down a gear there would be a squeal noise like a belt slipping. This was a different dealer than the first and they said they couldn't reproduce either complaint and that I should bring it back so their expert noise listener could diagnose it and that he is only available during the week and that I should bring it in on a dry day cause that might effect the issues. Once again Toyota wanted to do nothing. Sent numerous emails about the Lexus TSB and the posts on this board. Also talked about Lemon Law and class action and they still didn't give a shit. I love my 4Runner and it is a quality vehicle but the customer service sucks. Even worse than Ford and about equal to GM although GM can be really bad. They at least try to fix the problem where Toyota denies one even exists. I really want to get rid of the thumping and I was told there is a fix for this cause the Ford Bronco's also had the same thump caused by driveshaft binding and that it can be fixed with a special grease from Lincoln/Mercury that is blue. I haven't tried it yet but plan on it since it will cost $60 to try it. It is worth the expense not to get my blood pressure up at the dealership dealing with a bunch of sheisters and morons.

Did you get a case number from Toyota about the clunk? If not, you should call & do that - let us be heard!

Also, keep us posted if you do the $60 greasing - although it will take some time to be sure that it works.

 

[cyclops24]

Oh yeah I had a case number and to each email or call I got the same canned responses or Lexus is not Toyota and their TSBs do not apply to Toyota. I asked if they shared the same parts/drivetrain and they said they were not technicians and couldn't answer that etc. Same response all the time. " We are sorry you are having problems with your 2006 Toyota 4Runner. Unfortunately at this time there is nothing we can do to further assist you." Or they assigned my case to a local customer relationship manager at the dealer and he would call and tell me to bring it in which resulted in the techs telling me they couldn't reproduce it and to bring it back so I kept going in circles until I gave up and decided to wait and hope they issued a TSB or someone on here found a fix.

 

[a77boy]

That really sucks Cyclops, just keep plugging away at it,, All we can do anyway.

 

[toybox]

or someone on here found a fix.

There IS a fix..if you want to pay. The new driveshaft will run you just under $400 and the new rear control arm (don't know the price of that yet). Install them and it is fixed.

 

[michael90630]

I just bought a 2007 T4R SR5 V6 4x4 four weeks ago. Does anyone have this thumping problem with the 2007 model year?

Since reading about this in this forum and Lexus forum, I went out and tried to find out if my vehicle is doing the same. Tried by braking and after releasing the brake accelerating and listen if there is any issue. I have not yet heard anything however, I do recall hearing a mild thumping and minor shaking (almost like when the transmission is engaged from P to D) when I come to complete stop.

Don't know if this could be another issue or not.

 

[TechWrench]

Damn these Toyota people...making me spread lies like that!! Damn those people....

Remember, it's NEVER MY fault when i give wrong info...that's why i have moderators to take the blame!!:biggrin2:

I'm surprised you haven't heard about this issue before. From everything I have heard, this has been going on for years now. I have noted that if you come to a stop slowly, it doesn't happen. If you come to a stop quickly, it will happen if the drive shaft slip joint needs lubrication. Most of the time it happens just as you let off on the brake, or just as you start to accelerate after the stop. Many people have described it as if someone dropped something in the rear cabin or they got bumped in the rear. Some other forums refer to it as 'axle wind-up'. In any case, it is caused by the front of the rear axle rotating downward as the body pushes forward from inertia when braking hard. This causes the slip joint in the rear driveshaft to expand slightly to accomodate the axle movement. With the brakes holding the rear axle in the slightly rotated position, this slight increase in in rear driveshaft length is held under tension if the slip joint (which has been machined with so close a tolerance) is not free to move easily. When you release the brakes, the rear axle is allowed to rotate back to its 'home' position, but if the slip joint is binding, it will resist a bit, then release quickly and you feel the bump as it settles back to normal. This is why lubricating the slipjoint in the rear driveshaft will usually make the 'bump' go away for a while. There have been reports from the Lexus side that they have been replacing some driveshafts with a new design if the customer complains enough. But, as far as I know that has not happened on the Toyota side.

 

[Thai]

Tech...you're quoting me long time ago...look at post date. I am one of the first to alert people of this problem and the different solutions on Lexus forum.

 

[TechWrench]

Tech...you're quoting me long time ago...look at post date. I am one of the first to alert people of this problem and the different solutions on Lexus forum.

dooh,.......I guess I need more caffine.

 

[JSlack]

Hi all, new guy here, this is my first post. (throw confetti here)

I've been researching 4WD SUVs for about a month now, REAL SUVs, not the AWD grocery getters, and I basically figured it was down to a Pathfinder, 4Runner, or Grand Cherokee. Pathfinder has a wishbone in the rear and I've read where some guys have broken their front diffs during modest off-roading, and the Grand Cherokee's clearance leaves me cold, plus it has less cargo area than my Liberty (I'm also looking for more space). The 4Runner is the clear, well, frontrunner.

In light of the topic of this thread, I have a couple of questions if anyone can help. First, is the "thunk" more predominant in the V6, or is just as common in the V8? And second, has Toyota at least engineered the problem out of their assembly line? Not sure anyone could know this, but this whole issue is a concern. I plan on getting the V8 Limited with Nav/etc., and am frankly not interested in dropping 40 grand on something with a constant annoyance built in.

The 4Runner is the best vehicle in its class, hands down. I want one! But I don't want the daily clunk clunk clunk, and I don't think that's too much to ask for the money at stake. Hopefully that doesn't make me a sissy. Anybody know if the newest models are still exhibiting this defect?

Thanks for any help, and thanks to everyone for all the info I have gotten from this board over the month or so I've been visiting here. Special thanks to Thai.

 

[toybox]

Apparently and regrettably the problem has yet to be resolved even in the 07's.

You do have one advantage though....you didn't buy it yet and you could possibly get them to put something in writing or acknowledge that they WILL fix it if it occurs BEFORE you buy and as part of the bargaining. The parts to fix it ARE available, albeit from Lexus. The part numbers and the TSB are in this thread somewhere for the driveshaft and rear control arm that fixes the problem.

I experience it but really it doesn't bother me that much because it doesn't happen all that frequently and it's not really that bad.

 

[michael90630]

JSlack

In the last few days I have tried to simulate this problem to see if I hear any noise in my vehicle. Fortunately I have not yet heard that sound in my 4 weeks old 2007 4Runner SR5 4x4. However, my one is a V6.

I have not yet seen any postings where someone has raised this issue for the 2007 model year. That does not mean that the it is no longer an issue for the '07 model year (V6 or V8) and has been resolved by Toyota in the design and manufacturing. I am hoping if no one with a 2007 V6 4x4 flags this, I can hope this is something I don't have to worry about.

 

[JSlack]

Thanks for the info, TB. Unfortunately the nearest Lexus dealership is 100 miles away, and the local Toyota dealership confirmed today that they don't do warranty work for Lexus. I have to admit it bugs me that Lexus has a TSB on this but not Toyota. I sense a bit of elitism there.

Michael, I think I have read that someone with an '07 also has the problem, but of course not everyone with a 4Runner gets this no-cost option with their purchase.

I've tried very hard to see the Pathfinder or GC has a viable alternative, but they just aren't the equal of the 4Runner. No way around it.

 

[toybox]

If you want to try to simulate this during a test ride then get it up to a decent speed then come to a fairly quick stop and hold the brake pedal fro a few seconds after you stop and then gently ease off the brake pedal after a second, if it has it, you should feel the clunk.

 

[Brady]

I actually haven't experienced the 'clunk' from the rear end as it is being described in this thread (ie releasing the brake from a stop at a light etc.). What I am getting is when I back up, stop, put the tranny in drive and then release the brake, I get a little jerk from the rear diff. Usually it only happens when I back out of my garage in the morning. After that, it's good the rest of the day.

I've only had my Runnah a month and it just went in for the 60000 KM service (inc prop shaft lube). Hopefully it doesn't get worse. Wondering if anyone else gets it only immediatly after being in reverse?