jeeperaz

2000 4Runner - 2wd Limited.

I'd like to remove the driveshaft so I can replace the ujoints.

I see no way to unbolt the front part of the shaft from the tranny output. There are no visible bolts. The rear is obvious but the front is something I've never seen before.


She (this is my wifes 4runner) has had a high speed vibration in this truck between 65-70mph lately. Just yesterday it developed a much more pronounced vibration at low speed (she said she hit a speed bump pretty hard).

I had her sit in the car and put it in drive and then reverse a few times while I was looking underneath. I can hear and feel clunking in the front ujoint but there is no play in the shaft as the vehicle sits on the ground. The low speed vibration reminds me of what I've experienced on other vehicles after installing a lift and the driveshaft angle was too severe. So I'm guessing ujoints.

Also, any thoughts are on the rust looking stuff on the rear yoke/flange? It's not grease but more of a powder like substance. I would guess rust but since this is Az ... maybe not.

I wonder why Toyota put zero grease points on this driveshaft(and pretty much the rest of the vehicle). Seems like 4wd models are completely different when it comes to grease maintenance.

Any thoughts are welcome.

Elton

i say it just slips out but b4 you take the hole shaft out mark it so when you put it back in its in the same spot

Taro

See your other post about the vibes. I doubt its the ujoints, have the balance checked if you must. I doubt a speed bump did in the ujoints or the shaft. More likely an alignment or wheel balance issue.

And yes, it just slips out

I've never done a 2wd toyota before, maybe someone else can tell you if fluid will leak out when you pull the d-shaft. If so drain it first, otherwise it will make a big mess.

jeeperaz

I would agree with that if the vibration happened under all conditions. Right now, it only happens under acceleration. Coasting or in neutral the vibes are not there. Plus I hear and feel the joints clicking (at least the front, and the rear I can see some obvious wear to it).

We'll see. Not looking forward to ujoints as I always seem to make changing them more difficult than need be. I'll post back with results.

jeeperaz

Well, got the driveshaft pulled and the ujoint on one end done. The front of the driveshaft does indeed just slide out of the tranny output... no fluid lost.

PITA getting the joints out!!!! They are completely shot. I've never seen any look this bad.

The rust you see on the second pic in the first post is actually the remnants of the needle bearings in two of the caps. No bearings to be found when I got the caps off... just powder!

I guess I waited to long to do this job, my wife had been having a small vibe at 65-70mph for the past 3 months. I suppose the heat/friction finally caught up to the bearings and toasted them.

I don't understand why toyota didnt use greasable joints on the 2wd models.

Ohio4R

How does it drive now after the replacement?