Thump Gone for Six Months Now

[ALLEGRO]

After becoming totally frustrated with the clunk after stopping, and the lack of any help from the dealership, I read and read for a DIY fix. Most claimed that a good lubing would help but not be a permanent fix. I kept on reading and came across a post that said to only hit the 4 zerks with a couple of shots of grease, but to hit the two slip-joints with a LOT of grease. I hit the slips with about 20 pumps each.

At first (first couple of days) I saw no real improvement, but after that there has been absolutley no thump now for over 6 months. There is no need for special tools, jacks, ramps or anything. Actually you might need a wife (or suitable substitute) to pump the grease gun.

All in all I am very pleased to get that annoying thump out of my ride, and only invested 10 minutes.

 

[RedRacer]

Mine got a new driveshaft under warranty. 7k miles later the thump/thud is back It went away again after adding new grease but this is an unacceptable issue.

 

[r32]

How many miles did you have when the problem first started?

 

[Benjamin Choi]

so long as long-term driveability/reliability is not sacrificed, i'm cool with it. it happens to all 4runners. if you're that annoyed, sell it and get a diff truck.

 

[ALLEGRO]

How many miles did you have when the problem first started?

Looking back at it now, I probably first felt the problem around 15K. I just ignored it as it did not always happen. When it became an "every time" thing, I began to get it looked at and asking around. One night I just did a Google on the problem and discovered that MANY of us share the displeasure.

Try just hitting it with a manual grease gun about 15 times and drive it to exercise the slip. Go over some train tracks or shopping driveways to work the grease in.

Keep us posted

 

[morphius909]

Interesting. I feel the thump MUCH LESS in the winter, which is odd. It's -30 C these days, and I hardly feel anything.

I'll see if the SUper Grease Method works this coming summer.

 

[ALLEGRO]

Keep us posted after you grease it.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I grease mine on the 08 until I see the slip-joint move slightly. I never counted but it was alot of pumps. It does sling some of the grease out over the next couple days thou. I can not say that I felt the thump in a while. But It only has 13k+ on it now. I seem to feel it most as I get closer to needing an oil change/greasing. Every 5k right now.

I have never felt it in my 04, it has no grease points thou since it is 2WD.

 

[ALLEGRO]

I don't know why the dealership does not recognize this fix. They were very indifferent with me when I took mine in. I believe in this fix and it seems they should too.

 

[tamiyatim]

Are you talking about the 4 zerks on the driveshaft? where are the zerks on the slip? you mean on the driveshaft slip joint??

 

[ALLEGRO]

Are you talking about the 4 zerks on the driveshaft? where are the zerks on the slip? you mean on the driveshaft slip joint??

There are 4 on the U-joints and then 2 (one each) on the slip joint. You can see them quite easily.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I grease mine on the 08 until I see the slip-joint move slightly. I never counted but it was alot of pumps. It does sling some of the grease out over the next couple days thou. I can not say that I felt the thump in a while. But It only has 13k+ on it now. I seem to feel it most as I get closer to needing an oil change/greasing. Every 5k right now.

I have never felt it in my 04, it has no grease points thou since it is 2WD.

Although mine is 4x4 it seems that the rear driveshaft would be the same on a 2 wheel drive and should have the same grease fittings.

 

[tamiyatim]

I wonder if a thicker grease would work? what is the heaviest you can get?

Is marine grease (blue stuff) any thicker? maybe it would stay in there longer? act as a 'silencer' for the thump...

 

[NCSCOTT]

Although mine is 4x4 it seems that the rear driveshaft would be the same on a 2 wheel drive and should have the same grease fittings.

Nope. The drive shaft is not only longer since there is no Transfercase it has no grease fittings on the U-Joints or slip joint.. They are sealed U-Joints. There are no grease fittings on the V6 2x4. I can not say 100% for the V8 2x4.

I own both a 2x4 and a 4x4. See Signature

 

[robcyr]

Like a lot of people here, I had the same problem and concerns about this. I have a 08 SR5 4x4 V6. During my last oil change in October I asked them to grease the drive shaft up pretty good. It kept on doing it for a few days and then nothing since. I'm happy...

 

[97hb]

Give mine a couple pumps every time I change the oil. Never had a thump since i bought it 3 years ago when it had a small thud. I love diy.