My 87 4runner has a harsh clunk when decelerating and accelerating. Have replaced u joints and was told it was the rear end backlash. Had the shop put a junkyard guaranteed third in. I still have this harsh clunk and it sounds and feels like it is coming from tranny. Checked all mounts and they seem to be fine. Do not feel the clunk in the shifters. Have not been to the shop to tell them the clunk is still there. Went under truck when the truck is in neutral and the drive shaft seems to have slop. can turn it about an inch back and forth. The clunk sounds like something up front not the rear end. The rear end did nothing, still the same. Please help am very frustrated. thanks PS Only good thing about this is I had them put a locker in the rear.

 

anyone with any ideas?

 

As a thought, with the truck off and in 1st gear, lay underneath it and have someone rock it forward and backward and see if you can pinpoint the exact location of the noise.

 

Motor mounts or transfer case mount perhaps.