What to "grease up" on 07 V6 2wd 4runner driveline?

[kman79]

Excuse my noobness.

I purchased a used 07 4Runner about three months ago, and I've been quite happy.

Recently, I've been noticing a clunking noise/feel when coming to a stop. I've looked up the issue, and it seems some are replacing the driveshaft with one from a GX470, but before I go out and buy something that I may not need, is there something that is "user serviceable" that I can do to remedy the "clunk"?

There seems to be a lot of info for 4wd models, but not too much can be found on 2wd models.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated

 

[ridefast]

There are grease zerks on the 4x4 drive shaft, i pump grease into the zerks every oil change. Go take a look at your 2wd. I cant imagine the 2wd drive shaft being all that different from the 4x4.

 

[jow]

I looked for front/rear U-Joint Zerks when I inspected my used 07, 2WD T4R. I did not see any as I hear the 4 Wheel Drives mention at the yoke or front splines vs the U-Joints. “In Old School”, this was an after market vs Factory Zerks at U-Joints vs Splines to Trans. But! Quick Turns back and forth and feel and look for play in front and rear U-Joints with the rear wheels off the ground ?? (might show some U-Joint Play). If they are bad enough to cluck, you might see a dry powder look at the bad joint.

How many miles are on the 07 and how has it been used related to excessive torque on the U-Joints? My attached Pics are not that good but I d/n see or feel zerks.

 

[JB.]

I don't believe there are any drive shaft zerks for 2wd. All the references in the Haynes manual and Toyota maintenance schedule for drive shaft greasing specify 4wd.

 

[kman79]

How many miles are on the 07 and how has it been used related to excessive torque on the U-Joints? My attached Pics are not that good but I d/n see or feel zerks.

Just changing the oil on my runner right now, letting the oil drip out while I'm posting this. My Runner is about to hit 110K miles, bought it used at 98k. The clunk i hear and feel is intermittent, almost feels like someone bumped the truck from the rear.

I checked the drive shaft as well, visually I couldn't see any zerks nor could I feel any zerks when wrapping my hands around the...wait for it, "shaft" or U-Joints.

So to be clear, there is no way for me to grease even the slip yoke?

Are there other 2wd owners experiencing the clunk?

 

[kman79]

Quick question, should there be some play when I try to spin the drive shaft? I'm assuming there should be some play, correct.

The U-Joints seems pretty solid though.

 

[TechWrench]

I looked for front/rear U-Joint Zerks when I inspected my used 07, 2WD T4R. I did not see any as I hear the 4 Wheel Drives mention at the yoke or front splines vs the U-Joints. “In Old School”, this was an after market vs Factory Zerks at U-Joints vs Splines to Trans. But! Quick Turns back and forth and feel and look for play in front and rear U-Joints with the rear wheels off the ground ?? (might show some U-Joint Play). If they are bad enough to cluck, you might see a dry powder look at the bad joint.

How many miles are on the 07 and how has it been used related to excessive torque on the U-Joints? My attached Pics are not that good but I d/n see or feel zerks.

Since I have a 4wd, I haven't actually seen a 2wd driveshaft on the 4Runner, but if these pics are of the 2wd driveshaft, then there isn't a 'slip' joint in the driveshaft like the 4wd version. You can see the flange connection at the rear differential (same as the 4wd version), but the front connection to the rear of the trans is not a flange connection (like the 4wd version ). Instead, the drive shaft splined yoke slides directly on to the splined output shaft of the trans. It is this connection between the driveshaft yoke and the splined output shaft on the trans that acts like a slip joint. With this type of splined connection directly to the trans output shaft, the 'slip' joint is directly lubricated by the transmission fluid, so no zerk fitting for grease is needed.

 

[JB.]

Instead, the drive shaft splined yoke slides directly on to the splined output shaft of the trans. It is this connection between the driveshaft yoke and the splined output shaft on the trans that acts like a slip joint. With this type of splined connection directly to the trans output shaft, the 'slip' joint is directly lubricated by the transmission fluid, so no zerk fitting for grease is needed.

Thanks, I was wondering about that.

 

[kman79]

With this type of splined connection directly to the trans output shaft, the 'slip' joint is directly lubricated by the transmission fluid, so no zerk fitting for grease is needed.

Thanks for the information.

 

[jamesewells]

So, I if I have what appear to be the beginnings of the "rumble strip" issue, there are no zerks to lubricate on my 2wd? Go directly to shuddder fix? Thanks!

 

[Captsolo]

I don't believe there are any drive shaft zerks for 2wd. All the references in the Haynes manual and Toyota maintenance schedule for drive shaft greasing specify 4wd.

I have a 2wd 2005 4runner (150,000) and I was able to find and grease the zerks on the DS (driveshaft) as it went into the rear differential.

I also drained and filled with 3 quarts of Valvolene gear grease (non synethitic) the R Differential, and it's an easy job with just an easy to get to drain and fill plug on the Differential.

I'm still looking for the zerks for the front of the DS that goes into the transmission, and I'm not sure if I saw zerks up there to grease, or determined that the transmission took care of the lubrication in the front. I tugged on my DS and it is solid with no "give or wiggle" (looseness). Happy to see that after 150,000 miles.

No noise or clunks at 15 years and 150,000 with zero maintenance on differential joints. RD gear oil was replaced at least one.

I'm not sure 2WD 4runners have a front differential (box) for gear oil, and I am looking still for the drain and fill plugs for GO.