skip or bump when brakes released

[4runnerman]

hey guys,

anyone experience this, i apply my brakes on my 03 4 runner, when I release the pedal, there's a hop or some kinda pressure imbalance that makes an awkward return...

what could it be?

 

[Northof49]

Yes! It kinda feels like you got lightly rearended sometimes? I first noticed this in my old 2000 Runner, and now my 03 does the same.

Anyone know what this is?

 

[Loki]

pretty sure it's the driveshaft and if it gets on your nerves you can lube it up every now and then to stop the noise. this was discussed in another thread but I couldn't find it.

 

[djlandkpl]

This is the thread for the drive shaft problems.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=975

 

[Mark86]

Does this happen when you apply the brakes and don't fully stop? It happens on mine too. I also really thought I got rearended. I look behind and nobody is behind me. On mine, it usually happens when I apply the brakes for a red light and then turns green when I am still moving.

 

[Northof49]

Ya Mark, that's when mine is most noticable as well. Not everytime, but semi-often at least.....that other thread has an easy fix tho.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Grease the driveshaft fittings

I used about a half a tube of grease with the gun and got all the zerk fittings on the driveshaft and transfer case shafts. I haven't had the clunk since then. Stop pumping grease when it starts to seep from the rubber seals on the joints. Some of them take a lot of grease though. It looks like the driveshaft is actually a splined unit??? I don't know where all that grease is going.

 

[4runnerman]

mine is same as all described above...

after I hit the brake and ready for take off, the "clunk" appears..

its so annoying... i guess the solution is greasing the driveshaft with certain grease...since im car illeriate, its gonna be a nice challenge...

 

[scottp999]

I think this is related to the brake assist by the computer, when you use the brakes hard enough the computer takes over and then when you let go it kicks out of it. I think it happens on all 4th gens.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

It's different, more like a clunk

I think this is related to the brake assist by the computer, when you use the brakes hard enough the computer takes over and then when you let go it kicks out of it. I think it happens on all 4th gens.

When the pedal is released, it really does feel like some said, it feels like getting lightly rear ended. It seems that there is a bit of play or binding in the driveline, and releasing the brake releases this stored energy and tries to overhaul the driveshaft. Sort of like downshifting suddenly and the car jerks, but instead of trying to slow you down it's trying to speed up but you're not really on the gas yet.

It's annoying when it's there, but the grease has done a good job of eliminating it for now.