grinding noise from rear end and other issues

hey im matt. this is my first post here. i have a 2003 tacoma with a 2rz motor. my first issue is that im hearing a grinding noise coming from the rear end when im driving in 5th gear at low rpms. my second issue is that i recently changes my spark plugs and when i pulled the coil packs, the one from the cylinder furthest back looked rusty and oily. the truck doesnt really have the power that i feel it should and i feel like these issues are contributing to it. i also just turned 214,000 miles. any idea what could be wrong?

 

bump

 

Ah when you told me on the phone you had oil on the coils I thought you meant suspension coils ...def not CV boot lol

 

Try checking/changing out your u-joints. Ive had ujoints that seemed fine on inspection, but it wasnt until you removed them and inspected you could see the wear.

Also check your backing plate lip grinding on your drum.. long shot but happened to me.

 

The grinding noise not 100# sure but maybe brakes. Or 3rd member but that's weird it's only in 5. Have you ever serviced your tranny may have a sync going out.

And oil on the coil id check the compression on that cylinder the rings may be bad.

Sorry I'm not much help but it's a start

Good luck

 

right on any suggestion helps. ya im thinking that the ring on the 4th cylinder might be bad. and about the u joints thats good idea. ill take a look at it tomorrow morning. thanks for the help guys

 

Yeah u-joints can show a bunch of different symptoms. My friends truck you could tell only when he was going up hills. Mine started bad just going from forward to reverse, before it was crunching the whole time.