I searched a bit but didn't find much.

So just before I come to a complete stop, I get a clunk I feel in my brake pedal, and it feels like its coming from eithter the transmission or the drive shaft.

So I checked my diff fluid, ATF fluid, and lubed my driveshaft (very well). No change. I did notice that the lubing of the driveshaft helped the overall feel of the truck.

I'm wondering if it is the shift solenoids in the tranny, or if its the old ATF fluid? Is there a method of testing the solenoids without actually dropping the pan? Any other opinions?

 

Bet it's a failing u-joint.

:wabbit2:

 

i agree probably some slop in one of those u joints

 

Right on, thanks guys.

I'll try putting the trans into neutral before stopping and seeing if it still does it. If it does, I'll assume thats the case. Hmmm I always loathed the thought of changing a u-joint.

 

I'd rather do 15 u joints than drop a trans pan!

 

its easy just need a big hammer and a vise or a press if your high dollar

 

Hhaa cool thanks.

 

something mine has always done since 20,000 miles is:

come to a stop. and i am stopped for 4 or 5 seconds waiting for traffic or whatever...
and just on the brake enough to hold it back...sometimes the 4runner will 'burp' ahead once (or want to)
about 2 inches. I don't know WTF that is...it doesn't always happen,
it is not revs or anything I can figure out. holding firmer on the brake prevents
it...always wondered WTF but never complained to the dealer....

other times a similar thing will happen...sort of... but the revs drop, it doesn't burp.but
revs drop right at the actual stop point when coming to a stop. cleaning the MAF
fixes that issue. this only happens every 40,000 miles or so. pop and clean MAF, good for
another 40,000

 

Make sure your brake calipers are bolted on tight enough. This is from a recent experience.

 

U joint more than likely is on its last leg. Grease with some moly in it helped my clunk to where it has been nonexistant for 2+ years. Some say no moly, but it has worked well for me. Plus the manual says moly grease for the yokes.

Since I guess you have not dropped the ATF pan, I'd just drain and change the ATF with some new fluid such as Castrol Import ATF just to see how dark the old stuff is and go from there.

 

Hey hey.

Before you do anything expensive, go through the underside and grease up every Zerk you've got - U-joints, slip-joints, etc. I had the clunk, and amply greasing made it go away completely. Stuff dries out and gets crudded up, especially if you're in th dirt and sand and water frequently.

STICK some grease in it

 

Just curious..."on its last leg"... as in.. Will it BREAK? I am going to Baja for a week tomorrow and just realizing... uhh,,

 

Baja,

Depends on how much offroading you will be doing. If you will be crawling over rocks and the like, tread carefully. Otherwise, I really would not worry.

From the one U joint (Jeep, no Yota) I helped fix years ago, the bearings were seized up, due to nothing more than a lack of lubrication.

I'd say spend a little $$$ and grease the zerks with the right grease and just drain and refill the tranny. It may be as simple as that.

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/axle/ujoint/

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...removal-76842/

Tread lightly and have a good time....

 

The clunk after letting off the brake pedal is very typical of driveshaft slip joint needing grease. The slip joint will bind up a bit as the brakes are applied which loads the rear axle. This load is released once you let off the brakes and can give an audible 'clunk'. This is especially true after a hard stop.

-Dan

 

Yep thats exactly what I am experiencing. I have literally lubed the drive shaft 3 times now, with lots of lithium grease (no moly). I will not be rock crawling, more desert "running". I am getting pissed off at this though. When I get back I will be for sure doing a tranny flush and checking the driveshaft.

The clunk does come after a hard stop. It comes before a stop as well. I do think its drive shaft related.

Thanks for the links J2F42C!

 

It sounds like we are all getting to the same problem. Everything is in good shape under the truck but I think it might be a bit of pressure building up in the drive train but not sure....

 

its probably slop in the joint if its worn out it doesnt matter how much grease gets pumped in. and after a hard stop it probably kicking back into first and thunking the slop out of the joint. put it in neutral and wiggle the joints to see if there is any play in any direction

 

So has anyone here changed a u-joint on a 3rd gen? Should I get factory Toyota joint or Spicer joint? Its starting to really piss me off now. I feel that it is definetly coming from the driveshaft, but I'm not too sure. I believe Its the U-joint.

I have probably pumped 10-20 pumps of lube in the slip joint, I dont think its that.

 

I am also having this problem - 98 V6 SR5 4x4

after reading this thread I went out to get my chasis lubed, all 3 places told me my truck does not have these "zerks" to fit the grease In and my year does not have them... WTF? Going to one more place now...

 

MAD 69, I think the 2wd driveshafts do not have zerks, but i could be wrong.

You should crawl up underneath and look. They are easy to see. They look like little nipples coming off of the slip yoke and u-joints. Here:

http://www.4runners.org/writeups/zerk/index.html