My AT, SR5 '98 4Runner clunks after releasing the brake from stop to a rolling start and also when decelerating to stop. It feels like it could be transmission or differential. What does your experience suggest?

Appreciate the help.

SES

 

Sounds like it could be your U-joints. Or lets hope so since it would be an easier fix. You can manually rotate the driveshaft and see how much play there is at the U-joints. You may even reproduce the sound.

 

I have a very minor version of these symptoms as well.

97 4Runner @ 195,0000

 

I just fixed this problem by greasing the crap out of my u joints and slip yolk.

I had jacked up the rear to play around with the driveshaft but couldn't see or hear any play, so I just did all of them until all the old grease came out (probably 10 pumps per u-joint fitting, and 30 pumps for the slip yolk).

It should be mentioned you should not over grease the slip yolk. I think mine needed a ton because it had never been greased in 14 years.

 

Grease the hell out of your slip yoke. Pump it until the grease that comes out is the same color as new grease. Drive it for a while and then you may have to do it again, possibly a third time. The ideas is that you need to flush/purge out the old rotten grease that may have been in there untouched since new.
I have read, though, that perhaps sagging rear springs can contribute to the problem.