Okay- so, I have a 2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited with 339,000 miles on it. Barely broken in. I love her to death. She has NEVER had any major problems until this past week.

I just replaced all of the front end suspension stuff (control arms, etc) at the end of last week because of a funky buzzing sound I hear when driving.

Well- the ride is improved but the buzz is still there. Turns out it is the u-joint and the stealership is trying to tell my fiancé that the u-joint needs to be replaced (I agree with that) but that we should replace the whole drive shaft too! He says that we are going to run the risk of essentially destruction if we do not replace the whole thing.

Is this true? On the phone with the knuckleheads now and told them I will not give them the go ahead until I talk to true 4Runner lovers. I personally think they are trying to kill my truck every time I bring it in.

Help please. :/

 

is your drive-shaft damaged in any way? If it is still in perfectly serviceable condition then I see no reason to replace it. I can't think of one occasion where the drive-shaft was a MUST to replace along with the uj's. Imo I feel they're just pulling the old "piston return spring" gag.

 

Thanks for the response. No- there is no damage. They said it should be changed as a precaution. After perusing all of the Toyota 4Runner forums out there- I have never seen an instance where the drive shaft was replaced because of the u being replaced.

I mean- is it really likely that the shaft is going to "go out" because we replaced the u(s) but not it?

 

Just have the U-joint replaced.
With no damage to driveline dealer is trying to pad profit, IMHO.

 

I understand the dealer wanting to replace the whole drive shaft . It is just one of those things . They may not have the proper tooling to replace the joint.

Being a factory service center we are under similar constraints on some things.

After all this is your vehicle do what you want.

You have inspected both flanges and there is no abnormal wear just how long were you getting the buzzing noise??

In other words the joint in question is changed in few weeks your getting the noise again your then not a happy camper .

If you want another opinion take it to who builds drive shafts for the pulling trucks and 1000 horse power race cars if they will even look at it.

Granted Toyota as they call them propeller shafts tend to be very expensive getting one built is not near so bad.

You have several options so figure out what works best for you.