Driveshaft Clunk-Thud **UPDATE**

inscarguy

inscarguy

Member
Driveshaft Clunk-Thud **UPDATE GOOD NEWS**

just took my 4runner to the dealer for the updated driveshaft. i have been complaining about it since i got it almost 4 years ago(have invoices to prove it)

i have 94000 miles and it is toyota certified.

the driveshaft will be covered if it is a certified vehicle, under the manufacturers warranty or extended warranty.

otherwise it will be an out of the pocket repair.

they won't guarantee the part if it is not stock, they will replace it though, it just won't have a guarantee.. i have a 2.5-1.5 lift and they are going to cover the repair. i am friendly with the service writer and she did not tell anyone it is lifted.
 
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Maybe I'm missing something here. Why are they replacing the drive shaft?

Grease the driveline properly/frequently and the clunking goes away.
 
bensanders said:
Maybe I'm missing something here. Why are they replacing the drive shaft?

Grease the driveline properly/frequently and the clunking goes away.
Click to expand...

Greasing the crap out of it DOESN'T always make it go away, that's the problem. Replacing the whole shaft completely does away with the clunking.

I just had mine greased at the dealer the other day and sure enough, it's back, not as bad as before. It's annoying, but not annoying to the point of replacing it.
 
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inscarguy said:
just took my 4runner to the dealer for the updated driveshaft. i have been complaining about it since i got it almost 4 years ago(have invoices to prove it)

i have 94000 miles and it is toyota certified.

the driveshaft will be covered if it is a certified vehicle, under the manufacturers warranty or extended warranty.

otherwise it will be an out of the pocket repair.

they won't guarantee the part if it is not stock, they will replace it though, it just won't have a guarantee.. i have a 2.5-1.5 lift and they are going to cover the repair. i am friendly with the service writer and she did not tell anyone it is lifted.
Click to expand...

They covered this under waranty? Are you getting the lexus shaft? I have the extended waranty as well, and want to get this fixed.
 
i don't know what one i am getting yet. i got the call yesterday that it is being accepted under warranty but they had to order it. i will let you all know when i get it back to find out what one it is. i showed her the TSB and she knew exactly what i was talking about.

greasing does not help.
 
can't understand that either.

the only thing i can come up with is production numbers. they made alot more v6's than v8's. and they are playing the odds of how many v8 owners are going to have the driveshaft replaced.
 
inscarguy said:
i don't know what one i am getting yet. i got the call yesterday that it is being accepted under warranty but they had to order it. i will let you all know when i get it back to find out what one it is. i showed her the TSB and she knew exactly what i was talking about.

greasing does not help.
Click to expand...

All these new drive shafts out there and no one has bothered to verify whether it's a sealed unit or not.

A historical opportunity awaits you. :thumb3:
 
JB. said:
All these new drive shafts out there and no one has bothered to verify whether it's a sealed unit or not.

A historical opportunity awaits you. :thumb3:
Click to expand...

from a previous thread on this board it appears the new one is sealed and not serviceable.
 
ok got the 4runner back and it DOES have a grease fitting at the ft slip yoke. i did not see any on the ujoints as before so those are probably sealed. i checked and it is the updated driveshaft. i did not have a chance to really drive it(i will this weekend). i will post pics later today(girlfriend takes it to work).
 
inscarguy said:
ok got the 4runner back and it DOES have a grease fitting at the ft slip yoke. i did not see any on the ujoints as before so those are probably sealed.
Click to expand...

Interesting. So the part that would affect the clunk still has a grease fitting but the u-joints do not.

Your historical contribution is appreciated. :cheers: Thanks for checking.
 
i double checked and the u-joints are sealed but the slip yoke is not. on my old shaft the u-joints were greaseable. here are some pics of it taken a few hours ago:

a>~original
 

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CookieRoe said:
Greasing the crap out of it DOESN'T always make it go away, that's the problem. Replacing the whole shaft completely does away with the clunking.

I just had mine greased at the dealer the other day and sure enough, it's back, not as bad as before. It's annoying, but not annoying to the point of replacing it.
Click to expand...

My clunking issue was solved 100%. I completely removed the zerk from my rear slip yoke. Now hear me out, the reason why we get clunks is not because of the lack of grease but from pressure building up then releasing, hence the "clunk." You can experiment with this by removing the four nuts and bolts, then pushing and pulling on the slip yoke. You will feel the resistance due to the pressure and suction. The air pressure has no where to go. By removing the zerk, that air can escape quickly which eliminates the clunk.

You might think that dirt and debris might be an issue but the hole is very small and even if dirt did get inside, there are no moving parts i.e. needle bearings, etc. The spline and tube can be easily cleaned and manually greased.

I've driven over 500 miles and tried everything to replicate the "clunk" and was unable. It almost feels weird not to feel the clunk. I would try removing the zerk to see if it works for you.
 
Hmmmm.....I wonder if anyone makes such a gadget as a mini-diff breather that could be put in the hole to keep in the grease? Maybe just an appropriate sized bolt with a very small hole drilled through the middle would suffice??
 
TowMeOut said:
Hmmmm.....I wonder if anyone makes such a gadget as a mini-diff breather that could be put in the hole to keep in the grease? Maybe just an appropriate sized bolt with a very small hole drilled through the middle would suffice??
Click to expand...

Just use an old zerk fitting, remove/drill out the ball and spring.
 
resurrecting this thread -

Anyone try this Zerk removal or modification of the zerk itself?

Also the Lexus drive shaft, seems to fix the issue, but I haven't seen a part number or year/model to reference to purchase. Was going to try the above first ,then move on to replacement.
 
Exgermanowner said:
resurrecting this thread -

Anyone try this Zerk removal or modification of the zerk itself?

Also the Lexus drive shaft, seems to fix the issue, but I haven't seen a part number or year/model to reference to purchase. Was going to try the above first ,then move on to replacement.
Click to expand...

Just took my zerk out and a big pocket of air came out,no more clunk!
 
Just removed mine as well and the clunk is a lot less pronounced, I'm happy. Might go away completely if you grease it then pull the zerk out.
 
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