Drive shaft noise or U joint noise (LEXUS 4/06 TSB page 18) aka Driveshaft thump/bump
- Thread starter rorad
- Start date
TechWrench
Senior Member
KGB4187 said:
The procedure to turn off the maint light should be in your manual. If you do a search, it is also posted on this site several times. Real easy to do, instead of waiting on the someone at the dealer.
Im sure it is, but if Im paying for a service I expect it to be fully completed. I shouldn't have to add air to my tires after it says on the SO that they were filled up. A 2 hour wait for these things not to be done makes me an angry customer whose very unlikely to go back, but I thought I'd give them another chance to make it right.
Wow....
You're going to spend more time and effort b!#ching about it than you will actually doing it.
Hold down the reset button and turn the key to the "run" position. Wait 10 seconds until the light goes out.. BAM, DONE.
I just don't understand people, sometimes; spending more time and effort complaining about something than just doing it on their own makes no sense.
Ricky
You're going to spend more time and effort b!#ching about it than you will actually doing it.
Hold down the reset button and turn the key to the "run" position. Wait 10 seconds until the light goes out.. BAM, DONE.
I just don't understand people, sometimes; spending more time and effort complaining about something than just doing it on their own makes no sense.
Ricky
I have now had the dubious pleasure of reading every single post on this entire thread. Several things become clear (or at least clearer).
First, Toyota does not have a TSB, or any inclination for that matter, to provide a long term fix for the same problem that Lexus appears willing to tackle for their customers. Yes that is very annoying, certainly as frustrating as the clunk itself.
Second, most of us truly love our t4r's and will likely put up with the annoyance out of that love.
Third, it does appear that at least some people have gotten long term relief with the dreaded lubing (although most have not). Could it be that there is some relationship between the way the lubing is done, the type of lube used, the amount of lube, who does the lube, and the frequency of the lube that provides the most relief? Maybe even an acceptable level of relief? Maybe those people who have gotten the most relief can share who did the work, what lube was used, where it was used, etc.
I also am surprised that no attorney has been found who is willing to file a class action suit, expecially in light of the discrepancy between the treatment that Lexus vs. Toyota owners are receiving. It is even more surprising because I believe that one of the perks for any attorney in even settling such suit is to get their legal fees paid and that can be a BIG payday. Maybe that area should be pursued as the only way to get to Toyota may be to hurt them financially, or at least make the cost of a reasonable settlement more advisable than neglecting their customers any further.
And that's my two cents.....:soapbox:
First, Toyota does not have a TSB, or any inclination for that matter, to provide a long term fix for the same problem that Lexus appears willing to tackle for their customers. Yes that is very annoying, certainly as frustrating as the clunk itself.
Second, most of us truly love our t4r's and will likely put up with the annoyance out of that love.
Third, it does appear that at least some people have gotten long term relief with the dreaded lubing (although most have not). Could it be that there is some relationship between the way the lubing is done, the type of lube used, the amount of lube, who does the lube, and the frequency of the lube that provides the most relief? Maybe even an acceptable level of relief? Maybe those people who have gotten the most relief can share who did the work, what lube was used, where it was used, etc.
I also am surprised that no attorney has been found who is willing to file a class action suit, expecially in light of the discrepancy between the treatment that Lexus vs. Toyota owners are receiving. It is even more surprising because I believe that one of the perks for any attorney in even settling such suit is to get their legal fees paid and that can be a BIG payday. Maybe that area should be pursued as the only way to get to Toyota may be to hurt them financially, or at least make the cost of a reasonable settlement more advisable than neglecting their customers any further.
And that's my two cents.....:soapbox:
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Primarily a V8 Problem
I have read about half of this thread. It seems to me that this is mainly a V8 problem. Is this correct? I am thinking of buying a post '03 V6 should I be worried about this? Any tips on how to make sure I avoid this?
On another note, as an attorney, I've been trying to think of a theory which would allow a lawsuit regarding this problem. Admittedly, this is not an area I practice in, but as of yet, I have not come up with any thing. If someone ever does find a way they could get rich.
I have read about half of this thread. It seems to me that this is mainly a V8 problem. Is this correct? I am thinking of buying a post '03 V6 should I be worried about this? Any tips on how to make sure I avoid this?
On another note, as an attorney, I've been trying to think of a theory which would allow a lawsuit regarding this problem. Admittedly, this is not an area I practice in, but as of yet, I have not come up with any thing. If someone ever does find a way they could get rich.
michael90630
New member
TeryT
Yes the problem is also in my 2007 V6 SR5 4x4, however I have taken my truck twice to the local Toyota dealer here in Tustin, CA and they refuse to acknowledge there is an issue.
At the last visit, they did a lube job. The first few weeks I did not notice the "clunk" but since than it has come back in a little less aggressive manner. But for sure it is back - unfortunately.
I would be interested to know how you were able to have your dealer at least change the drive-shaft.
Thanks.
Yes the problem is also in my 2007 V6 SR5 4x4, however I have taken my truck twice to the local Toyota dealer here in Tustin, CA and they refuse to acknowledge there is an issue.
At the last visit, they did a lube job. The first few weeks I did not notice the "clunk" but since than it has come back in a little less aggressive manner. But for sure it is back - unfortunately.
I would be interested to know how you were able to have your dealer at least change the drive-shaft.
Thanks.
I cannot believe this is still going on. I pretty much gave up on it after several calls to Toyota and the dealer refusing to admit there is a problem. I have been talking class action all along. What does one do to start a class action lawsuit? Can I go to a consumer law attorney and present the case to him? What if I have no documentation that says that Toyota recognizes that the issue is there? We have all these people on here with the issue and some say they have gotten the dealer to say yes there is an issue, some have gotten drive shafts replaced and others have been told its "normal" or that they couldn't replicate the problem. Would a lemon law attorney handle this type of case? Not that this falls under the lemon law, what I mean would that area of consumer law be the correct place to take this too? I would be happy to try and contact someone and see what needs to be done to initiate one.
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I am the owner of a 2007 4WD which has the "clunk" problem. It disappeared after they lubed it and now it is back, although somewhat less than it was. My dealer told me that they were aware of the problem but because there were no service bulletins from Toyota there was little they could do.
I am also an attorney but have never done a class action law suit, which is what this suit would require. With just the folks on this post it might be enought to commence a class action which would probably be brought in federal court because of all the different locations of the various plaintiffs. I would think that the basis of the suit could be manufacturing a defective product. They cannot hide behind ignorance due to their service bulletin regarding the Lexus which is the EXACT SAME VEHICLE, at least in regard to the drive train. There is also the issue that the owners of the same vehicle with different nameplates are being treated differently.
Once the law suit is commenced there are mechanisms to force Toyota to admit how many complaints they have had. All that need be done is to subpoena the records and at least make sure that those on this thread who have complained and gotten ID numbers appear on the list that is produced by Toyota. If they don't then things would get even worse for Toyota. Such a suit would probably permit the attorney to recover all of the legal fees and time expended. In addition, even the commencement of such a suit, coupled with the threat of adverse publicity, might make even Toyota sit up and talk settlement. After all, if they are about to climb into the number 1 spot in sales they don't want anything to stand in their way and all of us T4R owners have certainly been a very loyal and dedicated part of their success. I also think that almost anyone picked for the jury would not be pleased that the "common folk" (e.g. T4R owners) are being treated differently than Lexus owners. That alone could turn out to be a fatal mistake for Toyota.
Anyone care to comment or take this further? I would be willing to become one of the named plaintiffs.
I am also an attorney but have never done a class action law suit, which is what this suit would require. With just the folks on this post it might be enought to commence a class action which would probably be brought in federal court because of all the different locations of the various plaintiffs. I would think that the basis of the suit could be manufacturing a defective product. They cannot hide behind ignorance due to their service bulletin regarding the Lexus which is the EXACT SAME VEHICLE, at least in regard to the drive train. There is also the issue that the owners of the same vehicle with different nameplates are being treated differently.
Once the law suit is commenced there are mechanisms to force Toyota to admit how many complaints they have had. All that need be done is to subpoena the records and at least make sure that those on this thread who have complained and gotten ID numbers appear on the list that is produced by Toyota. If they don't then things would get even worse for Toyota. Such a suit would probably permit the attorney to recover all of the legal fees and time expended. In addition, even the commencement of such a suit, coupled with the threat of adverse publicity, might make even Toyota sit up and talk settlement. After all, if they are about to climb into the number 1 spot in sales they don't want anything to stand in their way and all of us T4R owners have certainly been a very loyal and dedicated part of their success. I also think that almost anyone picked for the jury would not be pleased that the "common folk" (e.g. T4R owners) are being treated differently than Lexus owners. That alone could turn out to be a fatal mistake for Toyota.
Anyone care to comment or take this further? I would be willing to become one of the named plaintiffs.
So who's gonna honcho this thing?
That, my dear Tery, is the question of the hour/day/week/month/year. You would be a wonderful plaintiff as you have rolling proof that at least the driveshaft switch is a good start. I wonder if someone could direct attention to this thread in the general section and make a concerted effort to find someone who could help. This is a call for Thai, or anyone else, to help us with a final push to actually start suing Toyota and getting their attention in a BIG way. :awais:
claydoctor
New member
Nope. It is not confined to the V8. My 2006 V6 has had the problem since day 1. My brother is an attorney specializing in product liability defense. I have been trying to get him to buy a 4-Runner in the hopes that his would have the problem. If so, I can guarantee it would put an end to this thread. Why some attorney on this forum has not yet filed a class action suit amazes me. I guess none of us so far can prove that we have died as a result of the problem.
Filing a class action lawsuit against a behemoth corporation like Toyota requres time and money. The payout at the end for any attorney or firm who takes the case would be significant (one of the perks in any such federal suit is to be reimbursed for all of your time and expenses. However, it would need to be a attorney with time and means, or a large law firm to absorb the initial costs and time. I really do think such a suit would be successful and would force Toyota to the table to settle. After all, the problem has existed unabated from 2003 through 2008 and, from what I know, Toyota plans to sell the same T4R for 2009 and not change the model until 2010.
Hey Claydoctor....Does your brother know anyone on the other side of the fence (product liability prosecution) who would love this publicity?
Hey Claydoctor....Does your brother know anyone on the other side of the fence (product liability prosecution) who would love this publicity?
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TeryT said:
Tery, it's been about 5k since I lubed the zerks on my 05', and I'm noticing the clunk starting to come back a little. But, I'm curious about one thing: is the clunk really only seen when you come to a stop? Or does it show it's ugly head during driving? I ask, because I've notice that when I hit a dip in the road while under aceleration, the rear end hits hard, like i'm bottoming out, but I'm not. I'm wondering if that's the yolk slider hitting...??
