3rd Gen Clunking Solution?

240k here myself ('98 PreRunner). Ready to buy my next 20 year Taco. Was going to wait for 2018-specs, or get a '17 when the stealer needs the space. Any opinions on whether to go with '17 or new unknown '18?

 

My '16 does it sometimes. Had and '05 Tacoma that did it. Had an '08 Sierra that did it. Had an '00 Dakota that did it. I haven't spoken to Toyota dealer but GMC and Dodge dealers shrugged and said normal.

 

My buddy has this on his Tacoma. He asked me if I have the same issue. I said no and introduced him to the term axle wrap. I hope someone solves this issue. Wonder why it plagues his truck but not mine.

 

With my 2nd gen it was the driveshaft splines binding and slipping free, wasn't an issue until well beyond 100k mi. A skim of grease helped temporarily. That rear driveshaft gave me a bunch of problems over the years.

My current Nissan has a 1 peice aluminum driveshaft with a normal slip yoke at the transfer case output, no problems at all.

 

I have two different clunks. One is the transmission downshifting from 2nd to 1st when coming to a stop (very hard clunk as it slams into gear). This seems to only happen when its cold. The 2nd one is coming from the driveline/rear-end somewhere while breaking (axle-wrap?). This one seems to happen randomly, but more frequently on inclines/declines.

 

Have you taken it in?

 

Yeah - dealer unable to reproduce the transmission downshifting hard, and I was told the clunking in the driveline/rear-end is "normal"

 

If you want a guaranteed 20 year taco I'd buy a lightly used 2nd gen.... 3rd Gen not yet proven except that it has PLENTY of issues.

 

This is the exact same thing for me. 2nd to 1st, cold and usually on slight inclines, and every once in a while coming to a stop. As dbag says, "axle wrap". Dealer says normal, so I just shrug it off and live with it until it breaks (if ever). Platinum warranty helps. I don't keep vehicles over 5 years.

 

OP you're going to have a tough time finding something that bolts on. I would read the link that @jberry813 posted about axle wrap. It is a fact of leaf spring suspension, especially on a truck. Unfortunately for a setup that is going to work well and not be in the way you will need a bracket welded to the frame and to the axle. Here is an example.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com...uff&Product_Code=AWKIT&Category_Code=Antiwrap

^this kit on a 1st gen. Modification to the exhaust is necessary


Another style that actually does bolt on is the kind used by Muscle car guys, potentially I suppose you could modify this type to work but I would not reccomend it. They hang down and reduce ground clearance, ugly as sin and don't work all that great. I just wanted to show you a couple different kinds and add some actual info.

 

There is a clunk that occurs with the AC60 transmissions when coming to an abrupt stop. I think it is caused by a hard 1st gear down shift. I suspect that a rev 2 transmission TSB will be addressing this issue. Axle wrap my very well exacerbate the issue.

 

When braking?

 

Sorry, yeah when breaking.

 

Ok. I get a vibration due to axle wrap nosing my u-joint down from rear brake grabbing hard.

 

Good job on the 240k! Haven't seen specs on the 18...but keep your eyes peeled....think I saw a thread on it but didn't read....still traumatized the 17s got the electric back slider window, but not the 16....so I don't want to know what else I'll be short changed on.

At least they didn't skimp out on this clunck...not sure I can live with the truck if they ever resolve it.

 

Sorry to rise a dead thread, but anyone with this issue came across a solution from the dealer or Toyota?

 

Wondering the same now. I hear it occasionally on a cold stop.

 

I've given up on the dealer. Took it in twice and they still cannot determine the cause. First time they blamed me for having aftermarket 265 tires on 18" wheels but I shut them down on that because it's had the clunk since day 1 being stock way before I even put the new rubber on.

I've greased my propeller shaft as well as topped off ATF (came from factory 1 qt low). It seems to have helped but on cold starts usually the first stop I come to it'll still clunk however it's not as pronounced as before (before I could hear it even with the stereo on loud and feel my truck jump forward a bit).

Next I will retorque my propeller shaft and see if anything changes.. My 18 only has 17000 miles. Tried OVTune as well however that didn't fix the clunk although some have reported that it has for them.

The clunk is annoying especially if you have passengers but I can live with it if it's something that cannot be remedied as long as it is not shortening the life of my drivetrain.

 

Is anyone else having this issue on 2018 model year Tacoma trucks? I have this clunk usually when the truck is cold when coming to a quick / short stop and sometimes when pressing and releasing the accelerator pedal too quickly.

 

Vehicles have been doing that from the day they had leaf springs. To me axle wrap was limited to some thing that had a good deal of power also called axle wind up, wheel hop, what ever. Enter traction bars yeah that fixed it but in some thing like a Tacoma it's more of an announce than a problem. Mine is a stick it does not do that because I'm in control not the trans it is even worse now that they have a 6 speed downshifting. Take a drive in some thing that has a 10 speed if you really want a treat.