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

[dhabes]

Let me say that I am pretty good with cars. I am fairly confident that it is not rotors because I went around and checked the rotors.

Basically what it does is if I am going 20+ and barely get into the brakes, the pedal vibrates a little then goes away. The harder I get into the brakes, it goes away. If I get into the brakes pretty hard from the start you can feel it a little bit in the beginning but it eventually goes away.

I am not sure which is why I came here. Hopefully I didn't overfill the driveshaft but I can tell you greasing made no difference. I am due to change my oil. As opposed to doing myself, I might just take it to the stealer and ask them to change oil and check it out.

 

[TechWrench]

Let me say that I am pretty good with cars. I am fairly confident that it is not rotors because I went around and checked the rotors.

Basically what it does is if I am going 20+ and barely get into the brakes, the pedal vibrates a little then goes away. The harder I get into the brakes, it goes away. If I get into the brakes pretty hard from the start you can feel it a little bit in the beginning but it eventually goes away.

I am not sure which is why I came here. Hopefully I didn't overfill the driveshaft but I can tell you greasing made no difference. I am due to change my oil. As opposed to doing myself, I might just take it to the stealer and ask them to change oil and check it out.

Greasing the drive shaft made no difference, because, the more you describe your symptoms, the more certain I am that it has nothing to do with your problem.

I too am 'pretty good' with cars. Though I no longer work on vehicles for a living, I did for a third of my working career, and still do all my own work. Disk brake systems are fairly simple, and I learned them over thirty years ago, and they haven't changed much since then. What you are describing is the early stages of rotor induced brake shake. It is caused by abnormalities in the rotors, and the brake pads responding to them. These abnormalities are not usually able to be spotted by a visual inspection. You would need to do some micrometer measurements of the rotor thickness in 8-10 areas around the rotor and compare them for variances. You should also check the lateral runout of the disc surfaces to check for them not running true. This vibration will gradually get worse, until it becomes very annoying. It will become more severe at faster speeds, and will last longer as you slow down. It will eventually feel as if the vehicle is surging as you come to a stop. The rotor abnormalities are usually caused by too much heat from hard braking, sudden severe temperature changes to the metal (like going through a cold water bath after hard braking), or a caliper piston frozen, which is not allowing a pad to release from the rotor and keep dragging on it, causing heat.

I can't guarantee 100% that the rotors are the problem without driving it myself, but I am as sure as I can be with the info you provided. You can take my advice, or not, it's up to you.

 

[blueleezard]

update: the dreaded "clunk"

All: OK, the 2003 V8 Sport is working fine, absolutely zero problems. In fact, absolutely perfect in every respect -- Summer excursions have been fantastic. On regular business, we just completed yet another return trip to Canmore, AB. No problem, nada, zero, etc. Gas prices have recently bumped up to $1.30+/litre and are now back down to $1.19 or thereabouts. My "sources" tell me: don't let that fool you in any way. Let's assume US$180+ per barrel or more in just a short while. Yikes. Gas prices at an all-time high, coming right up. Anyway, regarding the driveline: no clunk, at all. I'd speculate that the replacement driveshaft has done the trick. And everything else about the 2003 Sport is 100%. What a wonderful "used" vehicle. But, I confess: I've been dreaming about a 5.7 liter Tundra with supercharger. Anyone out there with experience on this unit??

Cheers to all, :cheers:

Blueleezard

 

[claydoctor]

The latest with mine was that I took it in at 59K before drivetrain warranty was up and they refused to change driveshaft and only re-greased it. They told me that re-greasing was part of routine maintenance and I would be paying for it. My 2006 now has 72K miles due to a lot of highway use and the good news is I am rarely getting the bump and when I do, it is barely perceptible. Maybe it improves with age.

 

[TeryT]

I be happy

I have pretty much forgotten about this issue. It's now been well over a year and probably 10k miles or more (would have to go back & look at records to be sure), and no clunck since they replaced the driveshaft. I give it a couple squirts of Mobil synth grease at oil changes and no problemo.

 

[rx900]

Wow, it's been ages since I checked this thread out hehe. Hey NC, sorry I just noticed that you mentioned something about me hehe

I'm glad that there's some light shining on your guys' clunk issue. Sorry I dont have much update on this clunk as the guys at the Lexus forums are just printing out my TSB write-up and they were getting their GX's fixed for good.

 

[jimsi]

My latest update

The clunk came back pretty quick after the FORD grease, so the last oil change I had them grease the drive shaft as regular maintenance. The mechanic said that if the clunk comes back then the next step is to replace the driveshaft. Well the clunk is back and the dealership has ordered me a new driveshaft and booked me in for next Wed.

 

[00328]

Good deal!
Not many have been lucky enough to have the dealer replace the drive shaft.
Hope it works out.
Keep us posted.

 

[TeryT]

Re: My latest update

The clunk came back pretty quick after the FORD grease, so the last oil change I had them grease the drive shaft as regular maintenance. The mechanic said that if the clunk comes back then the next step is to replace the driveshaft. Well the clunk is back and the dealership has ordered me a new driveshaft and booked me in for next Wed.

Congrats!! I don't even think about the clunk since mine was replaced - except when someone on here adds a new message!

 

[blueleezard]

driveshaft "clunk" update II

All: a quick comment as follow-up -- my better half and I (whose idea of roughing it is a "Holiday Hotel" without a swimming pool) took yet another excursion a weekend or so ago up the "Spray Lakes Road" route into Kananaskis country and down the "chute" past Chinaman's Peak into Canmore. Damn, the gravel road after a rain / snow mix sure mucks up the undercarriage! Wah wah!! Yeah, but what was this thing built for? Anyway, *no* driveline *clunk* whatsoever, at any time, anywhere. On washboard at 90kph and up, the back liftgate started to squeak just a bit -- nothing a bit of silicone lubricant on the latch couldn't cure. At the high point of the road, fresh snow only 100 feet or so up the hillside -- and a beautiful, calm and very healthy cow moose munching early morning sun-warmed greens by the side of the road, oblivious to any traffic. Wait a minute -- I can't pretend to know a damned thing about the concept of "beauty" when it comes to moose. Must be in the eye of the beholder or something, especially if you have a rack a few yards wide. Anyway, the T4R is still working great and providing wonderful creature comforts like a complete hot damn. No clunk, smooth, powerful, excellent full-time 4WD, handles on gravel and muddy rutted crap like a dream with that XREAS, super comfortable, safe, and all that other good stuff. Nothing a little "no touch" high-pressure undercarriage blast and car wash can't cure after all is said and done!

Best wishes to all -- and cheers, of course ...

Blueleezard :cheers:

 

[AndroT100]

Been a Long Time

It's been a long time since I posted here.

I have an 03 4Runner SE V8 4x4. Early-on I had the clunk and was fortunate to receive a shaft change when the shaft change was just being tested as a fix for the clunk. Well, the shaft change didn't fix the problem. It seemed to be less dramatic with the new shaft, but not a fix. Now at 50k+ miles, I don't really notice it. It's probably a combination of my being conditioned and also that over time the clunk is supposed to lessen. If you look back in this thread, you can see my detailed description of what the Toyota tech said about the composition of the metal in the shaft and the history of this problem. It's been happening for years and years and not just with 4Runners....but also with pick-ups, etc. It isn't a performance issue...it's just an annoyance issue.

 

[kb1981]

Just recently purchased a 2008 SR5 V6 4WD. I noticed the clunk very early on, and got worried for a bit until I realized how common this issue seems to be. I'm relieved for now....but after reading so many messages in this thread and on other forums, I don't even know what the next step is. I am assuming that since the problem has been around for so long now that most dealers will be aware of it. I guess I will just go to my dealer asap and see what they say and if they'll be willing to do a fix, which seems to be replcaement of the drive draft? (as per the Lexus GX posts). I guess I am just wondering what the chances are that my dealer will be able to help me out.

Thanks

 

[rx900]

Congrats on the purchase! Yea give it a try at your local Toyota dealer and see if they'll do it on your 4Runner.

For a second, I thought the clunk only happened on the 4wd V8s? So it comes up on the 4wd V6s also??

Update us.

 

[kb1981]

Congrats on the purchase! Yea give it a try at your local Toyota dealer and see if they'll do it on your 4Runner.

For a second, I thought the clunk only happened on the 4wd V8s? So it comes up on the 4wd V6s also??

Update us.

Thanks!
And yes, the 4WD V6 version seems to have the problem as well in all modes (2HI, 4HI, 4LO). I wouldnt consider the clunk to be too bad, but it is a slight annoyance, and it perfectly fits the description given by people in this thread and in others. For me it is happening mostly when I release the brake after a full stop...

Anyway, I 'll be sure to post again once I hear back from my dealer.

 

[Uneek]

For a second, I thought the clunk only happened on the 4wd V8s? So it comes up on the 4wd V6s also??

Update us.

It happens on mine if I brake hard and don't the following. When I brake, just as the vehicle comes to a complete stop I usually ease up on the brake slightly to make it the stop smooth which gets rid the feeling that you've come to a complete stop.

 

[morphius909]

I've learned to live with it for now. Our rig has 40K, and has the clunk on occasion. Dealer said it was "normal"..*rolling eyes*.

 

[TeryT]

Just for the record, I looked at my book yesterday. I've got nearly 20k miles and 19 months since Right Toyota replaced my drive shaft, and occasional light greasing with Mobile 1 - AND STILL NO CLUNCK!!! :biggrin2: :dancin:

 

[NJrunner11]

i just bought a grease gun and both types of grease, however i have no idea where to grease what....

does anyone have any pics or explanation of where i can get started? please PM me! thanks!

 

[kb1981]

Congrats on the purchase! Yea give it a try at your local Toyota dealer and see if they'll do it on your 4Runner.

For a second, I thought the clunk only happened on the 4wd V8s? So it comes up on the 4wd V6s also??

Update us.

Went to the dealer for regular maintenance the other day. Mentioned the clunk and the dealer said this was the first they've heard of it on an 08, but they definitely know of the condition and consider it normal (as morphius909's dealer also said) . They told me they would lube the slip joint if necessary. I didn't have much time to discuss further...
But I feel the clunk is less pronounced for now and I'm tolerating it. If it gets worse I think I will talk to them about replacing the drive shaft next time.

 

[Uneek]

i just bought a grease gun and both types of grease, however i have no idea where to grease what....

does anyone have any pics or explanation of where i can get started? please PM me! thanks!

This thread has pics in the Maintenace subforum.