Clunk Sound When I let off the brakes...which then moves my gear shifter? Thoughts?

I have a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. This is a great truck and I purchased it used after my 2004 got t-boned and totaled. This truck has an issue i just can't figure out and neither can my mechanic. When hit the brakes everything is fine the truck stops everything is perfect. But when I let off the brake there is a thud or a clunk from the back end which also moves the gear shift a little a noticeable amount. I started getting scared so I took it in to get looked at. My mechanic said he thought it was the engine and tranny mounts...so i got those replaced. He was right and wear and tear had taken its toll. But the problem was still there. So he looked at the leaf springs and said they didn't measure correctly so we changed those out and while we were at it we changed the shocks too. The truck rides so much better and is more solid but the noise happens about 1/3 the amount it did before maybe a little more. So I read a post of the exact same year truck with the same issue on Tacoma World and the guy said he replaced the back brakes and it took care of the issue. I have spent some money on these repairs so before I go for the brake repair does anyone have suggestions? I am stumped...I don't want to hurt my truck or do any serious damage. I just want to fix the issue. Thank you.

 

Rear brakes are the less expansive repair. How many miles are on the truck? Has your mechanic checked your rear differential? Could be caused by excessive back lash in your ring and pinyon. It would be worth having it checked and avoid a very costly repair.

 

sub'd

 

To me almost sounds like Axle Wrap.

 

I thought all 1st Gens did that to some extent... Normally caused by Axle Wrap and related issues. Check the rear brakes. They may just need adjusted. Sometimes the center carrier barring on the dive shaft has play in it and that can cause similar issues. Also try greasing the slip yoke on the rear drive shaft. If you find a fix let us know.

 

It may be the driveshaft. I had the clunk issue on my 2nd gen and the driveshaft needed to be replaced.

 

Mine made a similar noise, does it do it when stationary and switching between drive and reverse? Like just stated, mine was the rear u joint, while the trucks off, put it in neutral and grab the drive shaft, twist it and see if you hear the noise. This is what mine was like...

https://youtu.be/lWNJRY1HsyI

(It went bad on a road trip, didn't get under to find it like this until after I got back home, I'm lucky it didn't completely fail while driving.)

 

My vote is drive shaft slip joint. Grease the hell out of it and see if it stops or reduces the issue. Please report back your results.

 

Just wondering if the op still notices the shifter moving when he feels the clunk ?
While checking the excellent replies above this , he might want to check the cab mounts as well .
Considering the shifter mechanism mounts to the cab , it,s not uncommon to see the cab mounts squashed which in turn also causes clunks . I have seen this hundreds of times in the past . In some cases , the cab of the truck actually rests against the transmission .

 

grease all the zerks on the drive shaft. adjust the rear brakes first (or have your mechanic check them to see how much is left)

axle wrap wouldn't be an issue since he said the leafs were replaced. (it was axle wrap initially as most of us had it)

make sure your diff/t-case fluids are good and correctly filled

the shifter will move a little with the auto

also not sure what the body mounts have to do with it?

 

Sounds like classic axle wrap from infamous weak ass springs...

 

I greased all the zirks on the drive shaft on my 04 Tacoma and that "clunk" went away.

 

Join the club. Axle wrap. We hold support meetings every Wednesday at the American Legion in Newport Beach.

But seriously, I'm hunting down the same symptoms and have so far rebuilt the driveshaft, replaced its center support bearing, replaced the rear springs, and installed the famous u-bolt retrofit, all to no avail. Next are trans and motor mounts. My clunk is horrendous.

 

Thanks so much for these replies! My 99 tacoma has 177,000 miles on it. Yes the leaf springs and shocks are new so are the engine and tranny mounts. There is no clunking noises when I shift from drive to reverse. It's only when I am driving...I come to complete stop then let my foot off the brake and then "thud" it feels like something drops. But it's only when I let off the brake. I am going to take it in to have someone look at the brakes and make this my step one. I will report back with my results. Thanks.

 

Trust me, it ain't the brakes. Brake issues would not transfer through the driveline like your symptoms. Since the shifter is moving, you can bet that there is play in there somewhere that isn't being properly neutralized.

 

What did you replace your stock leaf springs with ? What you describe is text book axle wrap... If you R&R'd springs with another set of stock springs sadly, you've accomplished nothing, if aftermarket, which ones ?

 

He ordered Dorman leaf springs the number was 929401 that's all the info I have on them...they where rated for my truck specifically. Are stock leaf springs not what I want? When the truck rolled off the production line I am sure it did not have this issue.

 

Trust me , it was always there it just took awhile for it to rear it's ugly head... & I'm betting it's a 3 leaf with an overload to stock specs... They're just not stiff enough...& no, stock leafs are not what you want

 

Also, the gearshift movement for tacomas with auto trans. is pretty common

 

Maybe something like this.... my first spring build...