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HELP 1st gen driveline clunk

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Trooperbearden, Jul 18, 2022.

  1. Jul 18, 2022 at 10:30 PM
    #1
    Trooperbearden

    Trooperbearden [OP] Well-Known Member

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    hey fellas, I've finally gotten close to making my 1st gen (2001, auto tranny) as mint as financially possible and have been confronted with one final hurdle to leap. At around 10-25 mph when accelerating after slight, sudden braking, my car makes a clunk sound (similar to the clunk the air conditioning makes)- it also happens occasionally when decelerating. this started happening around 6 months of me owning the car and hasn't gotten much that much worse since then. Part of me wants to chalk this up to the harmless quirks of an old truck and part of me wants to just f*cking fix it lol. I've taken it to several mechanics( two of which were transmission shops ) and all of them have said its mechanically immaculate. Does anyone else have this issue, and if so, should I fix it or leave it?

    BTW ive already greased all the u joint zerks, replaced the carrier bearing, greased the diff spline/ slip yoke and had the tranny checked.
     
  2. Jul 18, 2022 at 10:47 PM
    #2
    Trooperbearden

    Trooperbearden [OP] Well-Known Member

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    *** btw i dont know if this is related, but when it drives in reverse, the tranny clicks twice as it initially rolls backwards.
     
  3. Jul 18, 2022 at 10:56 PM
    #3
    YotaGangYotaGang

    YotaGangYotaGang PreRunners are wannabe 4x4’s

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  4. Jul 18, 2022 at 10:56 PM
    #4
    YotaGangYotaGang

    YotaGangYotaGang PreRunners are wannabe 4x4’s

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    A rtt i never use and 30 light bars
    u chnage the ball joints?
     
  5. Jul 18, 2022 at 11:09 PM
    #5
    Trooperbearden

    Trooperbearden [OP] Well-Known Member

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    uhhh no i didn't and im pretty sure theyre the original 2001 ones too. I had them checked out as well though and was told they were in good condition so idk.
     
  6. Jul 18, 2022 at 11:10 PM
    #6
    YotaGangYotaGang

    YotaGangYotaGang PreRunners are wannabe 4x4’s

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    A rtt i never use and 30 light bars
    i would change them ASAP
     
  7. Jul 19, 2022 at 11:26 AM
    #7
    Trooperbearden

    Trooperbearden [OP] Well-Known Member

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    would they make that sort of clunk noise? its not a repetitive clunk noise and it doesnt happen while turning
     
  8. Jul 19, 2022 at 11:39 AM
    #8
    Trooperbearden

    Trooperbearden [OP] Well-Known Member

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  9. Jul 19, 2022 at 12:42 PM
    #9
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    How is the rear driveshaft angle going into the differential?

    If your rear leaf springs are original and sagging it could be axle wrap.
     
    ArizonaBrian and MalinoisDad like this.
  10. Jul 19, 2022 at 12:56 PM
    #10
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    A lift, some wheels, some tires, some performance, some cosmetic and then audio.
    Check the inner/outer tie rod for play. Mine made the clunk cause if a worn out inner tie rod.
     
  11. Jul 19, 2022 at 1:55 PM
    #11
    YotaGangYotaGang

    YotaGangYotaGang PreRunners are wannabe 4x4’s

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    more of a squeak, but I would replace those lower ball joints asap. The clunk wont ripped your wheel out but a ball joint failure will. They are over 20 years old and a known weak part on these trucks.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2022 at 6:25 PM
    #12
    vtroot

    vtroot Mistakes Were Made

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    not saying replacing the ball joints isn't always a good safe option, but your symptoms sound exactly like the driveline issue I recently fixed. my driveshaft is different than yours, no carrier bearing, but my issue was the double cardon joint. I believe extended cabs have one of these joints, too. I'm sure yours wouldn't be anywhere near as bad as mine got, but it kinda sounds like what I was experiencing 6 months ago. Here was mine when I finally found the problem, I ended up replacing it at a wrecker's. Pretty easy to get under there and check it out.
     
  13. Jul 19, 2022 at 11:00 PM
    #13
    Trooperbearden

    Trooperbearden [OP] Well-Known Member

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    awesome dude thanks for this, this seems pretty plausible imma go check it out rn
     
  14. Jul 19, 2022 at 11:56 PM
    #14
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

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    This is "VERY" sound advice and should be #1 on your list if these have never been changed. Google 1st gen Tacoma lower ball joint failure, or try searching here on TW. It's a disaster waiting to happen and will cause serious damage to you truck. Don't be cheap and replace them with Genuine Toyota parts, you'll be glad you did.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2022
    crazytacoman likes this.

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