Ever since I towed a UHaul trailer 1200 miles up to Prince Rupert, Canada my rig will make a thump if I come to an abrupt stop. It honestly feels like my rear axel is moving back and forth.

Another example: If you have ever towed a double Axel trailer with one of those mechanical break set ups where the tongue of the trailer moves as you slow down. This movement engages the brakes, but it it also clunks and catches again when you start driving. It's a delayed thing because the tongue moves with you until you catch the full weight of the trailer again. This is similar to what my rig will do.

What have I've been able to do is keep it from happening if my deceleration and acceleration from stop signs and lights is controlled and smooth, but if I have to hit the brakes then I get the clunk.

Should I check the bushings on the rear links?

Erich

 

BUMP!

Every since I pulled a motorcycle trailer my 4Runner is making a thump if you hold the brake then just let it off. (Moreso if stopped on a slight downhill.) It never did this before.. what can be done to sort it out?

 

Mine been doing that for years (axle wrap) only quick and sudden stops. Annoying as heck. I would like to know too, I've checked everything associated with the drivetrain and have found nada.

 

Have you tried lubeing your U-joints and driveline? Thats what is took for my thump to go away. Try doing a search for the problem and I believe you can find a pretty good tech write up that can guide through solving your problem. Good luck.

 

Mine did it after you stop and release brakes.Grease drive shaft slip joint stoped it.

 

Are there some of those fittings where you can use a grease gun? Or do you just have to spray it down with some lithium grease?

 

It's a zerk fitting on the slip yoke (use your grease gun). I greased mine last week and it is much better. I got under there yesterday and I could see some grease has worked out on the exposed metal. I ran out of grease for my gun, so I plan to put some more in, but what little I had has helped already

Erich

 

Grease the slip yoke until grease comes out of the seal. It will end up throwing some grease around that may need to be cleaned off after the first trip. There is little doubt that there is some axle wrap, but my experience is most of the noise is related to lubing the slip yoke properly.