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

[skoobahead]

2001 SR5 4x4

It happens both ways but I seem to be able to control it if I really want to. I also live in the Burbs. What town are you in?

 

[naseeb]

Lake Zurich

What really pisses me off is that when you go to any dealership in the area, they seem like they have no clue of this problem. Almost as if I was the first to come to them to clue them in....

The truck is awesome other than this annoying problem. Never had any other problems.

 

[skoobahead]

Naseeb,

I'm in Mundelein. What's your email?

John

 

[naseeb]

[email protected]

 

[naseeb]

it's back

Thud is starting to come back.....

 

[starflt]

So Is Mine

Has anyone talked directly with Toyota about this? I love my Runner, but honestly would have reservations about buying another just because of this "annoyance".

 

[skoobahead]

Lubing did not help mine. Even after I removed slip yoke and completely covered the splines. What I did notice was U-Joint did not move freely when I had the slip yoke assy off. There was definetly a "detent" when rotating it. I'm going to replace u-joint and see difference. I'll let you know what happens.
This thumping is getting rediculous. Even a cheap Dodge 4X4 doesn't act like this!

 

[naseeb]

I found that easing up on the gas and coasting to a stop helps with the severity. It does get annoying in stop and go traffic. I think it is a underlying design flaw which we will all have to live with. Toyota isn't going to acknowledge the problem since it isn't a saftey issue. Imagine them recalling all the 4-runners to fix an annoying problem . Sounds like some of the 03' have this problem as well. You would have thought the engineers would have fixed with the new body style changes.
Other than this problem, the truck is excellent. I've got to say, it's still the best looking SUV out on the market, ( looks better than the new 4-runners). At least that's what I think. That's why I purchased mine in the first place.

 

[skoobahead]

Naseeb

I have to laugh It sounds like you do the exact same thing that I do in stop and go traffic in order not to have the thump hit us in the rear when driving around town. Misery loves company huh? I'm replacing that U-joint Saturday so I'll let you guys know

John

 

[naseeb]

I called Toyota Corporate today.....they gave me the run-around ,made it sound like I was the first to make this sort of complaint...just like the dealership. They do not want to admit to a major design flaw, which makes sense, a lot sense.

Every car has some design flaw.....we just got stuck with an annoying one that really doesn't breakdown to cause a safety issue or recall!!!!!:awais:

How did the dealer handle your case?

 

[Kanab]

My 95 Toyota Landcruiser did this from time to time. Less if it was lubed every 3-5K miles. My 4runner did it a couple of times in the first 5K miles. It has only done it once since then and not very hard (I understand that sometimes it gets better as it wears in). Kind of funny the first time it happens you think that someone ran into the back of you . I had over 150K miles on my Landcruiser when I sold it and the thumps never really got any worse since it was new. The other LC owners said it came with the LC called it driveline slack that is normal and never caused any break down problems. Even owners with 300K miles on their LC's said it never caused a problem and you just live with it. Now that you know what it is just understand it is part of the design and I would recommend that you don't let the dealer touch it. The dealer might screw-up your drive-line and then you will have a problem. Guys it's a "Truck" AWD off road vehicle. If you want a car base SUV get one of those Lexus mini vans RX330's.

 

[jj8111]

I had this problem, It was so bad at one point that I would hear the thump or shutter when I ran thru a dip in the road.



I lubed the slip joints until they moved (about 20 pumps each). I also hit the Ujoints with 3-5 pumps each. and the thump is totally gone.

I now plan to do this at every oil change.

 

[skoobahead]

""Guys it's a "Truck" AWD off road vehicle. If you want a car base SUV get one of those Lexus mini vans RX330's.""

This has nothing to do with it being a "truck". Dozens of other truck manufacturers using slip yokes in their drivetrains do not have similar problems. Toyota has a design defect along with the lexus GX470. Look at the Lexus forum...they are replacing entire driveshafts!
Since it's not a safety related complaint, Toyota claims, "That's normal, they all do that"
There is no excuse for a $40,000 vehicle thumping every time you brake to a complete stop and release the brakes.
I do agree with your last point. If you like the vehicle it's something you have to live with unfortunately.

Update on my 2001: I just replaced the rear u-joint that attaches to the slip yoke assy. I'll let you know if there is any improvement.

 

[naseeb]

I think we can all admit, that even one of the best car manufacture's out there can make mistakes. Other than this problem, I have to say my 98' 4-runner has been the most reliable vehicle I have owned. I have problably dumped over $2500 in my wifes 99' mercedes for unexpected problems. The 4-runner has only needed new tires and brakes and the standard scheduled maintainance at 80K miles. I hope you all have had the same luck......

Now the million dollar question....does anyone know how you get better gas milage, besides not driving?



Amul

 

[naseeb]

I had this problem, It was so bad at one point that I would hear the thump or shutter when I ran thru a dip in the road.



I lubed the slip joints until they moved (about 20 pumps each). I also hit the Ujoints with 3-5 pumps each. and the thump is totally gone.

I now plan to do this at every oil change.

----From the action picture you posted it looks like a fairly large dip in the road. ------:awais:

 

[Canuck]

Mine makes the 'clunk' noise if I brake hard for a red light then release my foot of the brake.

I have the feeling it's not driveline related but Caliper related.

Calipers have a certain amount of float. When you brake, you load them up one way. When you release the brake, you unload the caliper. I suspect (my opinion only) that it has something to do with something in the braking system moving in such a mannor.

 

[skoobahead]

WRONG......Nothing to do with Calipers

Put your hand on your gear selector... after you release the brakes you can feel the drivetrain thump right through your gear selector.Gear selector will actually move!

To prove its not the brakes.....put the trans in nuetral prior to making the stop.....YOU WILL NOT GET A THUMP.

100% Toyota Slip yoke sticking....Does it on all 4runners,tacomas,tundras,GX470 etc. It sucks but Toyota doesn't care.

Something that must be lived with if you like the vehicle.

 

[Canuck]

So what EXACTLY causes the clunk?
Is it spline backlash?
Is it the thrust movement of the splines?(they are so tight that they bind and release axialy?)
Is it too much clearence causing the splines to 'rock' within each other?
Is it bottoming out?

I'm trying to visualize how the splined connection could move in a way that would cause the clunk.

 

[Billf6531]

The splines bind along their length, and when you take your foot off of the brake, it relieves the binding pressure and allows the driveshaft to slide forward on the spline. This relieves the axle wind-up from braking, and causes the clunk / thump. Lubrication per the Toyota spec every second oil change will eliminate this.

 

[skoobahead]

WRONG>>>>!!!!

Talk to people on this forum. I have had the yoke off of the drive shaft. Lubed it 100% with recommended MOLY grease and reinstalled......thump still there. I have pumped enough grease to expand the yoke....thump still there. I have replaced the U-joint on the slip yoke assy......thump still there.
You will have the SAME conditions. Trust me. Been there done that. Lexus is replacing the driveshafts on the GX470 after customers complain, and after time...thump still there. Try out the Lexus forum...Those people are PISSED. $45,000.00 GX470 and THUMP!

100% design defect from Toyota. Don't have to believe me but it is Fact. I know 7 people with Toyota trucks. Each and every one does this.

Learn to live with it and the rest of the Vehicle is great