Rear Differential Clunking

[JayKumar]

Today I was driving my 4runner like usual (which is dogging it) and it sounded like the rear differential started clunking BAD! the faster i was going the louder it got. Sounded like the rear end was gonna fall off. Can anyone tell me what you think it is? I powerbrake it sometimes, and drive the runner pretty hard. Im thinking I broke a gear in the differential. Any other ideas?

 

[Casper421]

Are you still able to drive? Sounds similar to what happened to my Titan a few times. All from a stop and hammering on it! After a couple loud clunks, the rear would give out and no more movement. The spider gears in the rear diff would shear off and completely busted the factory lsd. After 4 axles covered by warrenty, the 5th went and i replaced the factory lsd with a Detroit Tru-trac. Then i was able to spin those 37's with full confidence.

Id bring it to the dealer or a trustworthy shop to get it checked out. Good luck! :cheers:

 

[JayKumar]

Thanks bud. Yea its driveable but the faster i go it sounds like the axle is going to rip out from under me! So i parked her and got her towed to my hotel, and going to drop her off at a local tranny/differential shop. I thought ole toyota could handle it! I mean hell its only got 72k miles... my old 3rd gen 4runner has 250k miles and i powerbraked that sucker to heaven and back, and shes still alive!

 

[stanleybb50]

What motor? Miles?

Keep us updated on the results. That sucks.

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk

 

[JayKumar]

Its on my 2006 V6 (1GR-FE) at 72k miles. Dropped her off today at the driveshaft doctor here locally in Vidor. He'll let me know what it is after he looks at it today or tomorrow. But im sure its def from launching her from a dead stop..and you know having tons of fun..fun isnt free!

 

[JayKumar]

So the guy that I turned the runner into took the entire driveshaft out including the gears. And he saw something he'd never saw before. This is an independent guy not Toyota. He said looking at the damage, it appears to be a fault by toyota. Here is a picture.

 

[JayKumar]

So now we are trying to find a new differential as a whole, because not only are the gears broken but the bearings are worn. So it'll be best to just replace the entire differential then repairing it. Problem is....there is no 2wd differential i can find with 3.71 gears.

 

[JayKumar]

just keeping you guys updated. Just ordered oem guts of the diff which includes the ring pinion and everything in between. Got it from a local stealership for a price of $1550! Very costly part. Should be in Monday, and I'll keep posted on how it drives after its fitted with new guts.

 

[Overland Warehouse]

Wow pricey! I just got a quote from East Coast Gars for a pre-assembled rear 3rd with a locker and a front pre-assembled clamshell, both with 4.56 gears, for around $2000.

Good luck anyways.

 

[JayKumar]

Wow you got a great deal. We were shopping around forever, and didnt find anything, so eventually we got tired and just went with oem brand new. Can't go wrong there. Thanks