I've got a 96 Tacoma xtra cab with a 3.4 liter and I've been having problems with my rear driveshaft. Its making a strange rattling noise which sounds like a loose heat shield while under load, but I know its from the shaft itself (pulled it off and ran it in front wheel with no noise at all). I've greased everything, checked the U-joints, changed the carrier bearing (it was going too) and did a full gear oil change last week. I've read somewhere that the tacoma rear shafts can separate internally which will cause a similar noise, but I can't hear anything when its off the truck. Anybody have the same problem and do you know which piece of the shaft is the likely culprit? I hate to replace both halves of the two piece, but would like to do the work myself since the dealership will charge me big for a new oem part. Thanks

 

I went to the dealership here in Calgary, AB today and they had no idea about the problem and couldn't access any information about the Technical Service Bulletins in the US. I suppose I have to buy the part myself and try it out since it'll be cheaper for me to buy one side than it is to take it in to a driveline shop. Good thing I got a good price for a used shaft.

 

I can't believe it's the shaft ,but ,let us know!I'd say the old shaft was out of time or out of balance,causing a heat shield to vibrate!