Update on Drive Shaft Clunck

[TeryT]

Just wanted to give an update since I had the new drive shaft installed under my extended (Toyota Platinum) warranty. It has been about 3,000 miles, and no noise so far. In fact, I have forgotten about the problem totally!

A couple months ago, they just replaced the drive shaft with, at least as far as I can tell, the original part. They gave some excuse that the noise was because I was towing a lot, and the old shaft splines had worn. They couldn't (or wouldn't) do the Lexus control arm fix.

I'll have to make a special note to lube the thing, as it got replaced in between the oil change cycle. That's when I normally lubed it before.

So who knows - maybe this will work. I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but I know others seemed to not have good luck with keeping the noise from reappearing.

 

[KimoSan]

Drive shaft clunk

All good things come to those that wait. It'll be back. I too had the drive shaft replaced (not the control arms) and heard nothing for a while. I now hear it everyday. Annoying. No, check that. Really annoying. It's worse when I'm running the A/C (impossible not to right now with the temps here in Denver) and/or have the vehicle loaded up (towing, extra passengers, etc.).

Really wish Toyota would just recognize the error in their ways and implement the Lexus TSB for us 4Runner owners.

 

[Falls]

As long as my shaft gets greased properly at every oil change I have no rear end thunk.

I can tell right away if they dont do it.

 

[Thai]

Is it even possible to BUY the re-designed control arms and have your dealer install it??

 

[TechWrench]

Has anybody been able to actually compare, side by side, the original Lexus control arms, and the 'new' improved ones to see how they differ? Are they manufactured of different material, heavier tubing, longer/shorter, or different mounting bushings?

 

[jwyshrek]

Hey guys,

I too had my driveshaft replaced a few months ago...and so far, it seems to have helped.

Originally, the Toyota Service center at Steven's Creek Toyota, said they could do nothing about it...but I made them aware of the ongoings of this board and about the Lexus TSBs.

"Jeff", the service advisor I always deal with wasn't aware of the Lexus TSBs but had access to their database...he actually thank'd me for letting him know about it...so to improve customer service and response...OKAY.

So using that TSB as an excuse, he got them to sign off on a new driveshaft under warranty.

Here is the thing, the Lexus TSB also includes something about the control arms...but according to "Jeff", there are slight differences in the rear suspension between the 4runner and Lexus 470...enough so, that he could not fully apply the Lexus TSB on my 4runner...

It'd be nice to be able to life a 4runner and 470 up in the air and take a look...

J