My truck and all its problems....

I bought my truck in Dec. 2007 with 27K miles on it. I am the third owner, the second owner bought my truck as a certified pre-owned and then sold it it a few months later.

As of late my truck just seems to be full of weird noises and issues and I'm quite honestly getting pretty damn fed up. Thinking about just trading it for another Tacoma. I'm taking it to Toyota this weekend (had to secure a car to take me to work before this) and I'm gonna have them check it out.

These are the problems I'm having:

• Rattle/Grind noise when cruising/decelerating. This is my newest noise and just started today after my truck was parked for 3 hours at school. It's coming from the front right wheel well and it's pretty damn loud.
• The loud squeel/squeek I posted in video earlier this month. It went away for a week or two, but now it's back yet slightyl different
  • goes away with no pressure on gas pedal
  • doesn't make sound when rev'd in park or neutral
  • usually makes this sound from 1200-1800RPM
  • above 25mph
  • doesn't always do it, however I can't find any circumstances to force it to make the noise
  • can be barely audible to extremely loud, with no reason I can figure to cause it
• vibration from 10-20MPH
• Occasionally I hear a thud when letting off the gas when going under roughly 40MPH

Those are the things I can't explain. I know it needs an alignment and regular service, but these other things I simply just think WTF. It of course has other odd rattles in the interior but I've attributed that to the mass of random crap that has accumulated in my backseat.

I'm not interested in starting a bash on Toyota thread. I've grown up with Toyota's and even if I got rid of this truck, I'd probably end up buying another Tacoma or a Tundra. I'm hoping someone has an idea as to WTF is going on with my truck. I don't have a place to work on it, nor do I have the tools or general knowledge to try and fix it myself.

 

Alex....sounds like you got bad wheel bearing up front......and maybe the torque converter isnt working properly.

anyway.........since you've brought it up before.......get rid of it....trade it for another tacoma.

 

Nostalgia and taxes keep me from wanting to get rid of it. If I can get my truck fixed up and running how I think it should, I want to keep it. I love the truck but sometimes I get frustrated with it.

 

it can be fixed........its just a matter of them finding out what the hell it is. everything is frustrating once in a while. im frustrated with my truck for now myself........but it'll get squared away and be good to go.

 

Check your U-joints - driveshaft thats what you would get with U-joint or driveshaft slip Its TRD truck so expect somebody went mudding with it
Not a big deal needs grease or new ujoint.

 

X2
What problems ? Seems to me you just have one, a bad u-joint. Should be an easy fix. Also check your rear transmission seal, the PreRunner's tend to leak but there is a TSB. The PreRunner's u-joints cannot be greased, they are sealed so replacement is the only option. I replaced my front u-joint at 50k miles. Good Luck and hope everything works out.

 

Yep U-joints are like hot girl... both needs to be greased often and with plenty

 

BTW the u-joint can fail and your driveshaft will end up on the pavement, so get it fixed ASAP. Sounds to me like you've been driving around with a bad u-joint for quite some time.

 

It's been making that sound on and off for roughly 800 miles. If its really just the U joint then thats damn good news.

 

x2 on the wheel bearing, oh, and umm...

Maybe take better care of her, and she'll take better care of you

 

The sad thing is, I haven't even taken it off road in maybe a year.

Towing package was done by previous owner, dented bedside by a less than careless driver at Walmart (found more scrapes today on the opposite side, guessing someone scarped into me when I was at work last night), and the hood and whatnot happened somehow when my truck was parked at Jax beach for the 4th of July. This trucks luck is pretty rough.

 

When was the last time you greased u-joints ?

EDIT: One of them may be u-joint other could be wheel bearing (two separate issues)

 

Its a Pre Runner - as stated above, the u joints don't have zerks for greasing. Only 4x4 Tacomas have zerks.

 

Just drove it again to Walmart (needed razors and food), sounds where half as loud as they where on the way home from class. it's a surprise everytime I drive the truck!

 

Have no idea if this is relavent, but on my old 01 I had a squeaking noise that was intermittant. Would come and go with no reason at all. Ended up being the slip yoke on the rear drive shaft needed grease. After a liberal amount of grease, no more squeaking. Not sure if this helps, but worth a shot. Just re-read your post and saw you said it is coming from front end. I guess that would rule out the rear drive shaft. Sorry.

 

Well guys, dropped the truck off at 11:45 @ Toyota this morning.

Within an hour my service adviser (worked with for years, with 3 different vehicles, I know he's a good guy), he called back about 20 minutes ago and said that all three of my U Joints are trashed. They're saying its from my tire size.

 

No way in hell, asked them if they can replace them with ones that have grease zerks so you can lube them

 

Well, my truck has gotten its 60K service, new U Joints and they say the rattle I was hearing as a loose intake bolt, which was something I had suspected. That's all they found wrong with the truck...

Waiting for my Dad to get off work so I can hitch a ride up to Toyota and pick the Taco up...

A day without my Taco sucked.

 

Got the truck back.... Fucking happy as all hell right now. Not only is it running perfectly, its clean.

Also may be getting a job @ Toyota....