Drive shaft noise or U joint noise (LEXUS 4/06 TSB page 18) aka Driveshaft thump/bump

rorad · Sep 25, 2003

Drive shaft noise or U joint noise

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this on their vehicle. Sometimes when I come to a complete stop I hear and feel a banging noise underneath the back half of the car. It feels like the drive shaft is moving back and forth more than it's suppose to. It does it sometimes after I've already come to a complete stop and/or as soon as I take my foot off the brake.

webshot · Sep 30, 2003

I have also noticed this in mine. To me it seems that the transmission shift's real hard after comming to a complete stop, or sometimes when I roll from a stop. Not so much a driveshaft problem but that the transmission just shifts hard in 1st gear. I wonder if it is a side effect of the "Smart" transmission not shifting from 2nd to 1st gear right away when comming to stops.

Anyone else?

I have a V8 4x4 limited

webshot

Greenhorne · Sep 30, 2003

Yes... mine too! It appears to happen only after stopping and just as I let go of the brake to continue on... it clunks... I can feel it more than I hear it.

I thought it had to do with the brake system in conjunction with the tranny.

rorad · Sep 30, 2003

Ok, you all are describing the same thing I'm experiencing. Have either of you taken your vehicle into the dealer or talked to them? If so, what did they say? Does anyone know what the actual problem?

Greenhorne · Sep 30, 2003

I have not yet. I just attributed it to the way it was. Sometimes it does it worse than others, and if I ask the dealer about it during the test drive it would not do it.

My manufacture date is 09/02. Any others with this problem around the same time?

webshot · Sep 30, 2003

I have not taken it to the dealer. I just assumed that this was the way it performed. This may also have something to do with the torsion center diff also. It may be trying to compensate some how when coming to a stop or accelerating from a stop. My 4runner has always done this though since I drove it off the lot.

webshot

I would be interested in what Thai may have to say about this issue.

Billf6531 · Oct 1, 2003

The slip joint, where the driveshaft spline mates with the transmission output shaft spline is dry (unlubed), and binding. It is lubed via a grease fitting. Have the dealer give it shot of grease. I believe the service interval is every second oil change.

Greenhorne · Oct 2, 2003

Billf6531 said:
It is lubed via a grease fitting.

...and that little nipple was easy to find and even easier to lube up!

Such a simple fix. All better now!

Thank you Billf6531.

webshot · Oct 2, 2003

I will try it this weekend! I hope it's that simple!

webshot

theman1971 · Nov 11, 2003

Hey guys - My wife's '04 4Runner LTD V8 also have this clunking symptom exactly like you guys describe. Can you help me find the location of this nipple to lube up? Also, what grease and grease gun do I need to buy?

I realize that I probably can get this done real quick at my dealership, but their service dept closes before I can get home from work and it's a real hassle to take it to them. I'd rather just do it myself.

Thanks!

Theman1971

Thai · Nov 11, 2003

From what i have been hearing on from the Toyota people and Lexus people, this "clunking" is due to the transmission downshifting. Thus, it is considered "normal" by Toyota.

Lubing may help, but i doubt that it would cure the problem.

Good luck.

theman1971 · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Drive shaft noise or U joint noise

rorad said:
as soon as I take my foot off the brake.

My clunking occurs same as rorad. As soon as I take my foot off the brake, but not yet on the gas. Not sure how that could be related to downshifting.

You guys got any suggestion on type of grease or grease gun I need to get?

Theman1971

Greenhorne · Nov 12, 2003

Thai said:
Lubing may help, but i doubt that it would cure the problem.

Good luck.

Well, it sure work in a lot of our cases... It is all I did and problem was instantly gone.

Maybe Toyota should consider how/why they are sending so many of these drivelines out "dry".

webshot · Nov 12, 2003

I agree! My clunking noise is gone now that I lubed the slip joint like Billf6531 suggested!

Thank you Billf6531!

webshot

Thai · Nov 12, 2003

Damn these Toyota people...making me spread lies like that!! Damn those people....

Remember, it's NEVER MY fault when i give wrong info...that's why i have moderators to take the blame!!:biggrin2:

theman1971 · Nov 12, 2003

webshot said:
I agree! My clunking noise is gone now that I lubed the slip joint like Billf6531 suggested!

webshot - What kind of grease did you use? Where's the location of that slip joint nipple?

Thanks!

Theman1971

webshot · Nov 13, 2003

To be honest, I have no idea what's in my grease gun right now! I bought the grease for my old TRD Tacoma and just used it on my 4runner. As far as where to grease, Lets see if I can mabye describe it, There are two section to your drive shaft, one has a splined end on it that slides in and out of the other (where the clunking occurs!) The actual grease fitting for this is on the outside collar of the U joint that is attached to the splined portion of the rear drive shaft closest to the transfercase/transmission.

Does that make any sense? It does in my sick mind! LOL

I would take a picture for ya but I dont have a digital camera.

I found this picture: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/lube/fy_zerk.jpg

and this article: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/lube/

on the web

Webshot

rford · Nov 13, 2003

03 4runner limited v8 brake issue

So glad I found this forum and glad to hear there is a fix to this annoying problem. I bought the vehicle in April, but didn't notice it until 1500 mi or so. I've taken it to 2 different dealers...both were equally useless. Question: will there be any long term damage/undue wear to the vehicle? BTW, I'm a recent Jeep convert, but almost went back when no one at Toyota could explain this problem...thanks again !

webshot · Nov 13, 2003

Re: 03 4runner limited v8 brake issue

rford said:
So glad I found this forum and glad to hear there is a fix to this annoying problem. I bought the vehicle in April, but didn't notice it until 1500 mi or so. I've taken it to 2 different dealers...both were equally useless. Question: will there be any long term damage/undue wear to the vehicle? BTW, I'm a recent Jeep convert, but almost went back when no one at Toyota could explain this problem...thanks again !

I don't see any real long term affects. Toyota drive shafts are pretty tuff! I used to beat the holy crap out of my Tacoma off road and never had a drive shaft or u-joint problem. It had plenty of rock scars on it as well! The five speed trany on my Tacoma was another issue!! :50cal:

webshot

theman1971 · Nov 13, 2003

Thanks Webshot! I'll give it a go.

rford - My clunking also didn't show up until around the 1500 miles mark.

Theman1971

Drive shaft noise or U joint noise (LEXUS 4/06 TSB page 18) aka Driveshaft thump/bump

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