Replacing the Driveshaft – 2001 4runner 2wd w/ Pics

[NhPoolguy]

Thanks a million for a great post!

 

[mattciampa93]

Popping in to say thanks so much for posting this. Super helpful!

 

[Captsolo]

I dont see how a driveshaft could go bad? I would have just replaced the u-joints, I did my rear one and i think it was about $10 and took about 30min. no way would I have paid someone 200 or order a new driveshaft.

Jmildoc;

I have 150,000 on my 2005 SR5 V6 DS. Agree that changing the DS was probably not necessary unless the Ujoing failed completely and the DS flew off.

I've never greased my UJ and am afraid to do it after 15 years of ignoring them.

My DS is solid.No movement at all.

 

[ambush]

Jmildoc;

I have 150,000 on my 2005 SR5 V6 DS. Agree that changing the DS was probably not necessary unless the Ujoing failed completely and the DS flew off.

I've never greased my UJ and am afraid to do it after 15 years of ignoring them.

My DS is solid.No movement at all.

When our 3rd gen gets up in age/miles and you get the vibration of death. The OEM DS has a rubber gasket in the top half that goes brittle. It is not serviceable nor can you try to balance it. It is a wrap. REPLACE.

 

[HeisenBob]

I am having vibration issues and I thought swapping the drive shaft was the answer but nope. Still having issues. I’m new so I can post a new thread yet but I’ll start a new thread when I’ve made it off probation.

 

[plcfcng]

I went threw a driveline balance issue with my 4runner. I have a few questions[

1. are you sure its a driveline issue sometimes front suspension and tire balance can feel like driveline.

2. have you tried the drive line in different positions on the differential yoke.

3. is the driveline a original driveline with a rubber liner

One thing I have found to help and Isolate the problem is to put your 4runner drive wheels on jack stands and chock wheels as needed if 4wd it is best to put all wheels on jack stands. When this is done start the 4runner put trans in D slowly bring speed up to vibration speed. If you tires are balanced and you feel a vibration then it is the drive line. You can trying to move the drive line in each spot on the yoke.:caked:

 

[4skinner-74]

HEY!!! thanks alot very helpful,i was having vibrations on de-celeration and my u-joints were fine...so i decided to change out my drive-shaft like you did and it fixed it...oh yeah my vibrations started happening right after a 3"lift and most noticeable after reaching a speed of 50 mph. Everyone was saying pinion angle but all it was was the drive shaft..

 

[4skinner-74]

I dont see how a driveshaft could go bad? I would have just replaced the u-joints, I did my rear one and i think it was about $10 and took about 30min. no way would I have paid someone 200 or order a new driveshaft.

3rd gen 4runner 2wd have a rubber coupling in the driveshaft that can go out of balance you can get it retubed or buy a new one but they do "go bad"