First road trip with my 2006 4 Runner ... Not happy at all

[03_4x4Runner]

I have never been more impressed with a new vehicle than my 4runner. I just completed a 2400 mile trip through the rockies and I am still impressed. This is the only vehicle that I bought new that has not been back to the dealer. If it was real windy any vehicle will blow around some, I to believe you have a tire poblem causing the vibrations

 

[Fourty-four]

The Lexus TSB for GX470 has solved this problem once and for all...at least, according to GX owners. No more lubing needed. Therefore, this leads me to think that it is indeed a design flaw from the very beginning. It is a small flaw...and luckily, does not result in damage to vehicle (thus far).

If you don't believe that it is a design flaw, then why doesn't the Lexus LX470 or Land Cruiser have this problem?

I don't really care if it's a design flaw. The way I see it, the slip joints are supposed to be greased, which is why they have zerk fittings. By pumping a bit of grease in them during my oil changes, it keeps everything working perfectly. Does the TSB for the GX do away with the zerk fittings? If not, then I'm sure they'll require grease eventually. Otherwise, it would be a sealed system.

 

[Thai]

I don't really care if it's a design flaw. The way I see it, the slip joints are supposed to be greased, which is why they have zerk fittings. By pumping a bit of grease in them during my oil changes, it keeps everything working perfectly. Does the TSB for the GX do away with the zerk fittings? If not, then I'm sure they'll require grease eventually. Otherwise, it would be a sealed system.

Ok...so, i don't want to see you lining up for the TSB when it comes out, right?

 

[Fourty-four]

Ok...so, i don't want to see you lining up for the TSB when it comes out, right?

Absolutely not. In fact, I just assumed that there was a TSB out for it already. I remember reading about the TSB for the GX a long time ago, so I figured there was a corresponding TSB for the 4Runner.

BTW, my driveshaft has never had the problem in the first place, but I'm guessing that is because I've been pumping a few squirts of grease in it since my 2nd oil change. I wonder if I would've developed the clunk if I had chose not to lubricate the slip joints. Oh well, I guess we'll never know.

 

[Thai]

BTW, my driveshaft has never had the problem in the first place, but I'm guessing that is because I've been pumping a few squirts of grease in it since my 2nd oil change. I wonder if I would've developed the clunk if I had chose not to lubricate the slip joints. Oh well, I guess we'll never know.

You are putting tape over a wound...you're not curing it, you're just covering it up. Sometimes, the wound is not noticeable...and sometimes, the wound may turn out to be worst than you expect. You just never know....

With you, 44, i just sit back and watch....

 

[Fourty-four]

You are putting tape over a wound...you're not curing it, you're just covering it up. Sometimes, the wound is not noticeable...and sometimes, the wound may turn out to be worst than you expect.

With you, 44, i just sit back and watch....

I disagree completely. There's no wound to speak of if I've never experienced the problem in the first place. Do you think every 4Runner owner has the driveshaft clunk? I'm sure there are plenty of owners who never greased their driveshaft, but still don't experience any clunk.

If my 4Runner is one of the ones with a clunking driveshaft, I may never know it simply because I choose to lubricate it on a regular basis.

So tell me more about the GX TSB. What exactly is the difference between the old driveshaft and the new driveshaft? Do they still have the same slip joints? Do they still have zerk fittings? Is the design or the length of the slip joints different? And most importantly, why is Toyota taking so long to issue a TSB for the 4Runner? The 4th generation has been around for 4 model years already, and no TSB? Maybe it's not as big of a problem as it's made out to be...

 

[Thai]

So tell me more about the GX TSB. What exactly is the difference between the old driveshaft and the new driveshaft? Do they still have the same slip joints? Do they still have zerk fittings? Is the design or the length of the slip joints different? And most importantly, why is Toyota taking so long to issue a TSB for the 4Runner? The 4th generation has been around for 4 model years already, and no TSB? Maybe it's not as big of a problem as it's made out to be...

You can search this forum for your answers...you've been here long enough.: The GX TSB is not just a simple switcheroo of the drivershaft...it involves other components of the rear suspension, including different control arms, etc.. Basically, it seems that the geometry of rear suspension is altered with the GX TSB to avoid the clunk. IMHO, this is a design flaw. It just took Toyota a long time to master it.

Why Lexus and not Toyota?? I don't know. Toyota probably cares more about their Lexus owners more than Toyota counterparts. Lexus owners are more picky and bitch more?? I don't know. I do know that there is a significant amount of 4runners 2003-2006 with this problem. You can see it on this forum. I do know that there is a significant amount of Lexus GX owners with the same problem. I do know that the Lexus GX TSB (the latest one) seemingly cures the problem 100%. 100% of GX owners who got it fixed are satisfied. BTW, TEXGX (a member here) had his fixed (one of the first to get it) and he loves his GX all over again!

It could be that Lexus owners get it first...and then 4runner owners. Maybe it is just another benefit to being a Lexus owner.

A mechanic once told me...anything that vibrates, shakes, or clunks can never be good for the whole vehicle down the road.

 

[Fourty-four]

This is a good fix, no?

Sure seems to be. If my 4Runner ever starts to develop a clunk, I'll defintely look into the TSB (if they ever issue one!). But I honestly don't expect to develop the problem as long as I keep up on my maintenance schedule!

 

[Pepi]

"I think most people solve that issue by greasing the driveshaft slip joints"

Mine started doing it around 200 miles. Wonder if Toyota forgot to grease mine

Sounds like a problem Toyota needs to address.

 

[Fourty-four]

Mine started doing it around 200 miles. Wonder if Toyota forgot to grease mine

Sounds like a problem Toyota needs to address.

It's entirely possible that it was never greased, although that's unlikely.

Since Toyota has not yet addressed the problem, try being proactive about it and having it greased. It just might put the issue to bed. You have nothing to lose, right?:

 

[Only4Gold]

sumthin ain't right, for sure! I've got over 70,000 miles on my 03 Runner (in less than 3 years of ownership), a combination of low-speed street miles, high-speed cross-country Interstate, and off-roading...not a single complaint yet....Get yours checked

 

[Thai]

Sure seems to be. If my 4Runner ever starts to develop a clunk, I'll defintely look into the TSB (if they ever issue one!). But I honestly don't expect to develop the problem as long as I keep up on my maintenance schedule!

Here is the actual TSB for GX:

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Lexus/1146812400000_1147676400000_DL001R-06/index.html

 

[DLSWyo]

44, I have to agree with Thai, I have greased the crap out of mine, taken it apart, re-greased the crap out of it with the same result, no clunk for a day or two but the clunk returns every time. Toyota just doesn

 

[Fourty-four]

44, I have to agree with Thai, I have greased the crap out of mine, taken it apart, re-greased the crap out of it with the same result, no clunk for a day or two but the clunk returns every time. Toyota just doesn

 

[Thai]

44, it is significant enough that Lexus has come out with a TSB. So, it's not just a few individuals...it's more than that. If i remember correctly, those with rear air suspension or something is more likely to get it.

 

[Fourty-four]

44, it is significant enough that Lexus has come out with a TSB. So, it's not just a few individuals...it's more than that. If i remember correctly, those with rear air suspension or something is more likely to get it.

Yes, but the key is that the TSB is for the Lexus, not the 4Runner. If the problem was as prevelant on the 4Runner, there would be a TSB out by now.

I'd bet that less than 25% of 4Runner owners have the problem. That's still a significant amount of vehicles, but still only 1/4 of the total.

 

[Fourty-four]

And if the rear air suspension does have something to do with it, then that just supports my theory. Think about it--how many 4Runners have the rear air suspension compared to those without it? The numbers wouldn't even be close.

 

[Thai]

Yes, but the key is that the TSB is for the Lexus, not the 4Runner. If the problem was as prevelant on the 4Runner, there would be a TSB out by now.

I'd bet that less than 25% of 4Runner owners have the problem. That's still a significant amount of vehicles, but still only 1/4 of the total.

There are much fewer Lexus owners than 4runner owners. Therefore, if I were Toyota, then i would fix the Lexus owners first. One, there are fewer of them...thus, less $$$$ out of my Toyota pockets. Secondly, Lexus owners are more picky given Lexus high public reputation. If the fix goes well, then i may consider getting to the 4runner owners. If the fix does not go well, then i would have lost just $$ fixing GX470s, instead of losing a big chunk of cash fixing everyone.

This could be what Toyota is thinking...it is what I would do for sure.

 

[Thai]

And if the rear air suspension does have something to do with it, then that just supports my theory. Think about it--how many 4Runners have the rear air suspension compared to those without it? The numbers wouldn't even be close.

I hope that this is true...but from reading the signature of affected 4runner owners on this forum, it is more than just those with air suspension.

We will see....

 

[Koz]

I have the rear air and no thump. I used Amsoil Racing Grease from new. Maybe it could help/eliminate the thump.

Koz