Hello all!

I am new around here. I have a new 2002 Toyota Dbl-Cab SR5 Pre-Runner. I love the truck except every time you come to a stop, the tranny clunks. Also, when you start to move forward again, the tranny clunks again. Ever tow something an when you stop you feel the trailer catching up with you in a clunk? Feels and SOUNDS just like that.

So me being the good customer that I am I called up for a service check. The service dept guy told me that this is normal on all Tacoma DBL cabs, Tundras, Sequias, etc. That is is the two drive shafts separating when I move forward, and pushing together when I come to a stop (esp. a hard stop). They checked it out and also re-aligned the truck since my steering was WAY off and the steering wheel was not even centered.

Now that I have been driving the truck for about 1700 miles, the clunk is getting much worse. This can't be normal!!!

Anyone else have a idea about this problem? I love the truck but this problem is driving me crazy. Every stop and start I cringe at the expected CLUNK. It shakes the whole truck.


Sean

Bud,
You are experiencing axle wrap. It is a problem with all automatic Taco's. The best way to solve the problem is with an an ADD a leaf to lift the rear and stiffen it. That seems to resolve the problem, you would probably want to lift the front too so you are not out of level.
TOY dealers will tell you everything is normal, but the two piece drivesahft explanation has to be the most retarded response from a dealer I have heard yet.

Hi Bryan

Can you give me some more details about this? What are the part numbers for the products I need.... seems silly that I just bought this truck and that I have to spend more $$ on it just to get it to work properly.

Thanks!

Sean

I don't know a part # off hand but there are several options. Unfortunately this is aproblem with Tacos do to them trying to keep the rear soft for street comfort. I am going to refer you to a place that has more people to answer your question and get the parts #'s. It is best to do a lot of research before you do any modifications from stock. The AAL(add a leaf) Is a simple way to stiffen up the rear(gives from 1.5 to 3 inches of rear lift or compensates for a camper or regular towing) It is a leaf you install into your existing leaf packs to increase the spring rate. summitracing.com (http://summitracing.com) is a good place to purchase this part. Oh, also go to ttora.com to get more answers.

i get that on my truck and i have a 00 prerunner ext cab, mine isnt so bad and i dont think its getting any worst. i guess i am used to it and i have 100k mile warranty so im really not worried about it....

:) I HAVE A 2001 TACO DOUBLE CAB AN I HAVE NEVER HEARD A CLUNK IN THE DRIVETRAIN......I TOW A TRAVEL TRAILER AND IT HAS BEEN UP IN THE SAN JUANS AND OVER TO MOAB SO IT HAS BEEN AROUND.......ALSO HAVE NEVER HEARD TI MENTIONED IN THE MANY 4WD MAGS I RECIEVE MONTHLY........I WILL ASK MY FRIEND AT TOYOTA AND SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY........ BOB IN AZ

Originally posted by BOB ROSEVEAR
:) I HAVE A 2001 TACO DOUBLE CAB AN I HAVE NEVER HEARD A CLUNK IN THE DRIVETRAIN......I TOW A TRAVEL TRAILER AND IT HAS BEEN UP IN THE SAN JUANS AND OVER TO MOAB SO IT HAS BEEN AROUND.......ALSO HAVE NEVER HEARD TI MENTIONED IN THE MANY 4WD MAGS I RECIEVE MONTHLY........I WILL ASK MY FRIEND AT TOYOTA AND SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY........ BOB IN AZ http://www.automotiveforums.com/kris/kris/+junk/capslock2.gif

I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab and have already put 12,000 miles on it and i have never heard any clanking problem. If it is getting worser I would ask to drive another Toyota of the same year on a lot somewhere and compare the two, then if necessary take it back and question the clanking sound again. Good Luck

The TRD package offers a locking rear diffrential, could it be that the non-TRD Tac's are having a diffrential problem rather than it being a tranny problem?

I had (notice I say had) the same problem with my 03 DoublCab V6. I work at an Audi dealership in the parts department and have access to plenty of technicians. After being told by my local Toyota dealership that this problem is normal amongst Tacomas and Tundras I decided to try to locate the problem myself. What I found after talking to many Tacoma owners and the dealerships here is that the problem is common, but it is repairable. Here's what we found when we put the truck on the lift. I had a technician get inside the truck and we lifted it off the ground. While underneath, we had him get it up to speed and stand on the brakes. From underneath its obvious what the thump is. You can clearly see the slip yoke move in and then hang-up(bind) on the way out after the brakes are let off. Because my truck only had 5000 miles on it and was still under warranty I took it back to the dealer for the fix. All that was done was to drop the shaft and lube the slip-joint with some good quality grease. The technician who was doing the work assured me this would not solve the problem but did it anyway to keep me happy. Oddly enough, when he pulled it apart he found what little grease was in there had dried up. He cleaned and lubed it up and we took it for a drive. Hey! no more clunk! I've put a couple thousand miles on the truck since then and have not had a problem since. In closing let me say-The transmission clunk is normal in the Tacomas and Tundras but dont think you have to live with it, as it is repairable. Since my repair I have also found similar posts at www.tundrasolutions.com., just search for transmission clunk. Hope this helps!

my friends 4 runner does that shit ... dealer has been complete assholes about helping him out. :headshake

Originally posted by husky1
I had (notice I say had) the same problem with my 03 DoublCab V6. I work at an Audi dealership in the parts department and have access to plenty of technicians. After being told by my local Toyota dealership that this problem is normal amongst Tacomas and Tundras I decided to try to locate the problem myself. What I found after talking to many Tacoma owners and the dealerships here is that the problem is common, but it is repairable. Here's what we found when we put the truck on the lift. I had a technician get inside the truck and we lifted it off the ground. While underneath, we had him get it up to speed and stand on the brakes. From underneath its obvious what the thump is. You can clearly see the slip yoke move in and then hang-up(bind) on the way out after the brakes are let off. Because my truck only had 5000 miles on it and was still under warranty I took it back to the dealer for the fix. All that was done was to drop the shaft and lube the slip-joint with some good quality grease. The technician who was doing the work assured me this would not solve the problem but did it anyway to keep me happy. Oddly enough, when he pulled it apart he found what little grease was in there had dried up. He cleaned and lubed it up and we took it for a drive. Hey! no more clunk! I've put a couple thousand miles on the truck since then and have not had a problem since. In closing let me say-The transmission clunk is normal in the Tacomas and Tundras but dont think you have to live with it, as it is repairable. Since my repair I have also found similar posts at www.tundrasolutions.com., just search for transmission clunk. Hope this helps!

wow thanks man. if i seem to come across the problem, ill definatly take this into consideration

I tried to use this solution but it appears to have caused a new problem. I added grease to the zurk that goes to the slip joint until grease started to come out of the slip joint. Clunk is gone but now it is hard to get my truck into and out of park. I am worried this may be damaging something and I would like suggestions on what I should do about it. Thanks for your help!

-Rob Glaser

I have the same exact clunking problem on my 99 4x4 tacoma. It drives me crazy and no one seemes to notice it but me. I NEED it to stop. tell me if you figure it out.

The suggestion of greasing the slip joint does work! At first, I had put too much grease into the slip joint and it was pushing on my transmission making it hard to get into and out of park but I was able to easily fix this buy depressing the little ball in the zurk with a small screwdriver to allow the excess grease to escape. Now I am happy to report that I no longer have the clunk or the difficulty getting the transmission into and out of park! The zurk you need to add the grease to is in front of the last universal joint before the rear drive shaft goes into the rear differential. Hope this fix works for you too! Good luck and post here if you have any questions.

-Rob G.

Over the course of time I have come to realize you need to let the pressure out built up by filling the tube with grease. This link tells you everything you need to know!

http://www.customtacos.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=maintenance_chat&Number=270519&Forum=All_Forums&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=264736&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=3328&daterange=0&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post270519

My '02 DC auto has the exact same problem, it's at the dealer right now they called and said it's normal for 4-runners, Tacoma's etc. How do you get these morons to take a look at a known problem and fix it?

The easiest way to get the problem fixed is to do it yourself. If you're like me and want to stick it to the dealer any way you can there's only one way to get it done-you have to tell them how to do it! Print out this post and the posts at the link above and take it with you to the dealer. Show them that others have solved the problem and this is how they did it. If they still refuse find another dealer or contact Toyota 1-800-GO-TOYOTA. :banghead:

The easiest way to get the problem fixed is to do it yourself. If you're like me and want to stick it to the dealer any way you can there's only one way to get it done-you have to tell them how to do it! Print out this post and the posts at the link above and take it with you to the dealer. Show them that others have solved the problem and this is how they did it. If they still refuse find another dealer or contact Toyota 1-800-GO-TOYOTA. :banghead:



I do want to stick to the dealer and have them fix it. So from what I've been reading some folks believe this problem is called "axle wrap" caused by the leaf springs not being stiff enough and compressing then expanding after brake release. According to your test this had nothing to do with your "clunk" I want to be relatively certain when I go to the dealer as to what I think the problem is before I demand resolution.

From what I understood the "axle warp" causes the noise. The springs not being stiff enough causes the movement that in turn causes the "axle warp" and noise if the drive shaft is not lubed well enough. Lubing the drive shaft will allow it to move freely and not make the noise, stiffing the springs lessens the movement, and no movement - no noise. The dealer fix would have to be lubing, they are not going to add aftermarket parts to your truck.

I had a little noise - clunk when I got my truck with 15K. I lubed all the grease zerks and changed all the oil in everything soon after I got my truck. Now it is quieter and smoother then before and no more clunk at all.

I used AMSOIL synthetic oil, did a drain and refill on the differential, complete replacement of the ATF transmission fluid (took 2.5 gal) buy having it pumped out, and filter and engine oil. I used Mobil 1 synthetic grease on all the zerks and stopped pumping at the first sign of increased pressure.

my o2 automatic tacoma prerunner has a jolt when i accelerate after slowing down. the entire truck jolts. they called it driveline slap or something like that and said its normal. Been to dealer five times, once they greased the axle, didn't help. Then they installed different rear leaf springs, didn't help. Then i was supposed to meet with a toyota rep on a wednesday, they called me tuesday afternoon and said the guy had already come, did i want to reschedule. I forgot to mention, i live an hour away from the dealer. I said no to the reschedule and i am now in the process of a third party arbitration. I have owned 18 cars in my life, and i have to say that this toyota is the biggest piece of crap yet.

I joined this board specifically to add my 2 cents! I have had from new a 2002 Prerunner Extra cab with 42k on the clock, which I love apart from this one problem, and have had this same problem since about 30k, after 3 visits to Toyota at 2 different dealerships and a visit from a Factory rep. they still say nothing is detectable to them. In my case it only appears at warm operating temps. not from cold.

I have since tried the grease method myself from sheer frustration and it seems to work for a few days, whether this will help in the long run I am not sure, but it is still there a bump when coming to a fast stop, and I did use Moly grease. I intend to go back again now to the dealership now that I know a little more about this issue, has anyone replaced that part of the driveline to see if it cures it?

In about two months I will be towing a loaded U Haul trailer back cross country, coast to coast so if it's going to get worse we will find out for sure, I must remember to put my grease gun in the cooler next to the Red Bulls!!

I have an '03 taco 2WD 4 cyl mini with 40,000 miles on it. I am experiencing the "CLUNK" also. It started out quiet and has gotten louder over the past few months. It seems to only "CLUNK" when accelerating from a complete stop and right about the time the tranny kicks into first gear.

Can someone please explain the "slip joint" greasing? Is the slip joint up near the tranny? If so, I don't have any grease fittings on it. For that matter, I don't have any grease fittings anywhere on the drive shaft. Thanks

MIke

I experimented this morning with the "CLUNK" problem. The "CLUNK" was not there until the truck warmed up a bit. Backed out of the driveway this morning. Placed the truck in drive. Accelerated (from a dead stop) normally and no clunk. I then accelerated (from a dead stop) very slowly and no clunk. Once the truck was warmed up I started to hear the clunk. I have no idea if this has anything to do with the problem. I don't even know if this is a problem! All I know is the "CLUNK" was not there when I originally bought the truck (new). There is no performance problems. There is no noise when I shift from park to drive. There is no noise when I shift from drive to park. There is no noise when I remove my foot from the brake pedal and start to accelerate. I know this subject has been thrown around in the past. Anyone else with a Taco mini automatic 4cyl having the same problems. Thanks

Mike

I would definately go back the dealer if this continues. I had a 2002 Double Cab and the thing was as quiet as it was solid. I never heard any "clunk" from the truck (except for when I tow my boat, you know, the whole trailer catching up to the truck).

Thanks Tacoma05

I'm going to assume that your double cab is NOT a Prerunner and is NOT 4wd. Judging from the previous posts on this subject, there doesn't appear to be any "mini" owners complaining about this problem. Unless you are listening for the "CLUNK" with the radio and A/C turned off, you'll never hear it. I hear it all the time now. It may have always been there, and I just never noticed it. I practically never drive with the radio off.

I'm still trying to figure out this greasing of the "slip joint". This must be something that is only on 4wd models. I have never owned a 4wd before. I have no grease fittings on the driveshaft that is on my mini. Thanks

Mike

My Double Cab was a 4x4. I since have traded it in on a 05 Double Cab.

You actually arent feeling the axle wrap, what is clunking is the rear slip joint... for some reason Toyota leaves them close to bone dry, and no one ever thinks to grease it. I had to put about 15 pumps into mine until it was actually full. I had that same problem on my 99 TRD 4x4, but after greasing that joint, its completely gone.

The slip joint is on the end of the rear driveline right before the U-joint that connects to the rear differential. There is a zerk on the drive line itself, and more then likely will take quite a few pumps of grease.

My 04 dbl cab had the same problem. Toyo dealer tried to tell me to live with it. I learned the trick from all over the web to grease the spline. I bought the grease and did it myself. The drive shaft spline was dried when I had it removed. Anyway, I had as much grease in it as I can and the problem went away.

Good luck!

Sean,
Welcome to the club! I have the same problem with my 05 TRD DBL CAB. The truck is only 17K miles and its has been back to the dealer 4 times due to this problem. The dealer explanation was caused axial wrapped due to softer leafsprings and it was normal. I do not think it is, but there's nothing I can do to tell them that it's not. I am thinking about getting rid of it for a Nissan or something. I love the truck, but can't live with this problem.

Cheers,

Hello all!

I am new around here. I have a new 2002 Toyota Dbl-Cab SR5 Pre-Runner. I love the truck except every time you come to a stop, the tranny clunks. Also, when you start to move forward again, the tranny clunks again. Ever tow something an when you stop you feel the trailer catching up with you in a clunk? Feels and SOUNDS just like that.

So me being the good customer that I am I called up for a service check. The service dept guy told me that this is normal on all Tacoma DBL cabs, Tundras, Sequias, etc. That is is the two drive shafts separating when I move forward, and pushing together when I come to a stop (esp. a hard stop). They checked it out and also re-aligned the truck since my steering was WAY off and the steering wheel was not even centered.

Now that I have been driving the truck for about 1700 miles, the clunk is getting much worse. This can't be normal!!!

Anyone else have a idea about this problem? I love the truck but this problem is driving me crazy. Every stop and start I cringe at the expected CLUNK. It shakes the whole truck.


Sean

Sean,
Welcome to the club! I have the same problem with my 05 TRD DBL CAB. The truck is only 17K miles and its has been back to the dealer 4 times due to this problem. The dealer explanation was caused axial wrapped due to softer leafsprings and it was normal. I do not think it is, but there's nothing I can do to tell them that it's not. I am thinking about getting rid of it for a Nissan or something. I love the truck, but can't live with this problem.

Cheers,

I also have the same problem with my 05 DC 4x4 off road. The only difference is that mine is only noticable at 55 degrees or higher outside ambient temperature. I too have had it to the dealer and I was told the same thing (it is normal for tacoma's) which is total bull. I absolutly love this truck, but this problem is really annoying. I had the same problem with a 2000 ford ranger and it ended up being the slip yoke assembley. They said there was not enough grease on the original parts and that was causing it to sick when pulling and and coming to a stop. I bought a grease gun and amsoil grease but really did not know where to add the grease and I did not want to screw it up more than it already is. The dealer just refuses to do anything about this problem. Maybe I will just try it myself and see what happens.

wow this thread has been going since 02! someone should really print this out when they go to the dealer.

This has been a problem on toyota trucks with automatic transmissions for a long time, but has gotten more pronouced with the new TRD's. I have a '02 DBl cab tacoma 4wd automatic and I had the same "bump" when coming to a complete stop or removing my foot from the brake after a stop. Here is the skinny on the problem as well as do's and don'ts of fixing it. TRD's have a soft rear suspension, which is great when you flying over washboard dirt roads, but causes trouble when on the pavement. When braking the rear differential twists causing the driveshft to extend via the slip yoke. Once you finally come to a stop the torsion on the driveshaft (from you braking and the opposing force from the engine) keeps the slip yoke from shortening when it needs to (the rear springs once you stop want to rebound to their normal position). The bump that is felt is coming from one of two places. First, it can come actually from slip yoke suddenly doing what it is suppose to do and sliding or, second, if the slip yoke doesn't give you are likely feeling the rear transission mount hitting the bolt that stops the drivetrain from moving forward and rearward.
The first thing to try to mediate this issue is to lube the slip yoke with molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease. But be careful not to overfill it (slip yoke will start to extend as you pump grease in) becuase if you do you have just created a driveshaft that will not get shorter. If you overfill it the clunk will go away, but you will cause yourself other headaches down the road like wearing out the center driveshaft support or other bearings in the transfer case, transmission, or rear end (expensive to fix). Second, if you have lubed the slip yoke and you are still experiencing the problem putting an add-a-leaf in the rear springs will reduce the Axle-wrap and eliminate the problem. This will especially help those of you who have likely softened the springs even more by towing something, hauling loads or having a camper. The down side of the add a leaf is you will stiffen your suspension, so driving over washboard roads will not be as smooth as before, but the clunk should go away. If you do end up doing the add a leaf I recommend replacing the rear shocks as well. The stock shocks work fine for your stock suspension, but you'll have a better ride if you put something a bit stiffer on. I put Rancho 9000 adjustables on after adding the leaf and it allowed my to play with the suspension to get it perfect. If you did all this and you still have a clunk, take a look at the rear transmission mount. If you have had the clunk for a long time you may have worn out the rubber grommet around the limiting bolt. Hope this helps!

I took my 03 Tacoma double cab to the dealer and had them lubricate the entire drive shaft through all of the zerk fittings and that seems to have solved the problem. Before that, I had the same clunk everytime I pulled up to a stop light. At the dealership, they told me the drive shaft was completely dry!

The clunk caused by a dry spline in the rear propellor shaft is a known problem in 4WD 4Runners and Tacomas with the splined rear shaft. Grease it with moly grease and the clunk will go away.

Now that I have read so many messages indicating that this is "normal" for Tacomas, and I know how to use a grease gun, I will go forth and fix my clunk myself.