What's this BANG when I hit the gas?

[picantesauce]

So, this happens really intermittently.

There's this loud single bang that seems to come from under the driver side area. It only occurs when I'm rolling slowly and then suddenly give it gas (kinda like in stop and go traffic). Theres the bang and then the 4runner kinda shakes slightly and then all is back to normal. Freaks the hell out of me for a moment.

I can't really replicate this, as it happens so rarely. Over the course of a weekend of wheeling, it might only happen a couple times.

But all I've been able to notice is that it occurs when I hit the gas after rolling, but not coming to a complete stop. It's like hitting the gas at "the right time," causes something to bind and then break loose.

U joints are all good. Front and rear diff were recently serviced and this issue is the same before and after that. I have a rear auto locker and this is definitely not the same sound as when that engages.

This has been occurring occasionally for almost 2 years now. This isn't my daily driver, but, figured I should probably address it now.

Could this be a transmission/TC issue? Any insights would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[alumarine]

Try removing the rear drive shaft and see if it still does it.
If it still does, reconnect the rear and remove the front.

With the drive shaft removed you can check the u-joints better as well.

 

[picantesauce]

Try removing the rear drive shaft and see if it still does it.
If it still does, reconnect the rear and remove the front.

With the drive shaft removed you can check the u-joints better as well.

Cool. Thanks! It appeared my U Joints were ok when I removed the drive shafts from the diffs recently. But, I didnt drive with only 1 drive shaft connected at a time, so I'll give that a shot

 

[phattyduck]

This could be the rear drive shaft slip joint... But also go through and check all of your link bolts, especially in the rear.

-Charlie