Help with pop/ clunk from rear end ~5 seconds at low speed

[Syr4RinNC]

Thanks for reading and your time. 2008 SR5 4x4 135 k

For the last few days I have noticed a pop or clunk from the back end at low speeds. It sounds like I ran over something. It seems to occur more from the passenger rear, but sometimes sounds more near the driver rear of the vehicle. At low speeds( 10-20 mph) occurs about every 5-10 seconds. I dont notice it at higher speeds, with bumps, turning, in reverse or with braking

I have a few issues, but I dont think they are related. My muffler is rusted off where they commonly do and I have a pipe adapter fitting the rest of my muffler pipe/ tail pipe in. When this is out of place, it is more of a constant loud vibration. I have a puncture near the sidewall in my rear passenger tire that one shop did plug - im waiting for my hazard protection replacement to come.


I dont see anything out of place underneath. I recently replaced my differential fluids

Otherwise - I believe the driveshaft has been greased at recommended intervals, but is probably due to be done again. This doesnt sound quite like others complain of when its the drive shaft, but may be thats all it is

Thanks for anyone's thoughts on where to begin

 

[MikeinNH67]

Seeing the exhaust is rusted I would start there. It doesn't take much for it to rap against metal near it. Grab it in a couple places and jiggle it as much as you can listening for the sound, of course do this when it's cold.

 

[TimGFL]

Not entirely sure, but clunks in the rear might be the differential or maybe even a wheel bearing.

 

[LordAbdullah]

check the jack location. sometimes jack gets a little loose

 

[Syr4RinNC]

I had my tire swapped out. I asked a manager his thoughts on my description.He thought maybe a U joint. Doing some reading - seems like not typical, but could be an issue. I guess if you hold your foot on the brake and shift from D to R and back youll get a clunk if the u joints are worn. Mines kinda equivocal with doing that. Putting it in 4wd and doing that definitely causes a clunk though

 

[DMX512]

Do you feel a “catch” along with the clunk?
If so, it is a part in the e-brake the is catching. At least that is what happened to me.

 

[xtremewlr]

Check the axle upper link bushings for cracks. Mine has a sort of clunk and it's related to cracked upper link bushings. I'm just waiting to upgrade the whole suspension.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Thanks Ill look for the axle upper link bushings

 

[DMX512]

Syr4RinNC did you get this resolved?

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Nope - it’s very odd - the sound seems to be wander. For a while with my driver window open it seems to be coming from under my driver seat - possible lower control arm bearing? But now again it seems like it’s in the rear. I wish I had a lift and could get under the car and check everything with it not on the ground - is the bearings. Unfortunately I’m in the middle of a move back from N.C. to ny and hope the truck doesn’t have issues on the way (I’m not towing)

When I get to ny and whatever quarantine ends I’ll have to take it in - really confused by this - bumps don’t seem to make a difference, reverse to forward not a big difference, sound seems to move. I tried to get a video of this

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Took it in to a shop to look at - they test drove it, recreated it, but couldnt find anything. They said my sway bar end links look like theyll need to be replaced soon, but other than that nothing looked out of sort

 

[Captsolo]

Had the lower control arms and sway bars replaced on my 2005 SR5 because the mechanic said while the car was up on a rack to order them and replace them.

Parts were cheap at Amazon.com Amazon.com: Stabilizer Sway Bar End Link Front LH RH Pair for Toyota Lexus: Automotive

Amazon.com: Detroit Axle - 6PC Front Upper Lower Control Arms and Outer Tie Rods for 2003-2009 Lexus GX470 - [2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner] - 2007-2009 FJ Cruiser: Automotive

10-Year Warranty

 

[Drcoffee]

Is the clunk rythmic as if it was a rotational sound, bearing, driveshaft, diff? Or is it when you turn either way or hit a bump in the road. My first inclination is the driveshaft U joint. At low speeds they bind, at high speeds they smooth out. I had that on my IS300 and it finally resulted in a whole car shake under 30 mph. The Dealer found a bad U joint. The cost for the job was $1300, I bought a new Lexus driveshaft for $350 and did it myself. So glad I can wrench.

 

[earthrealm]

subbed

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Thanks for the thoughts - it is not rhythmic or occurring at a regular pattern with rotation of the wheels. Bumps, turning, reverse don’t seem to have any impact on it. Just seems very random

But yea I’ll have my driveline looked at closer when I can

 

[Syr4RinNC]

So just in case anyone was interested. I think i solved this. My driver side rear wheel is missing a bolt holding going through the caliper and into the parking/ emergency brake. The bottom bolt is loose. As a result my caliper moves freely

Its hard to find the exact details of this bolt, but I got one at autozone and ill see if this works.