Is this clunk normal? Manual Transmission 2015

https://youtube.com/shorts/OAnIFq1Zabg

2015 Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4WD, 6-speed manual 85K miles
I’ve been chasing a clunk that’s been getting progressively louder and more noticeable. It only happens when there's torque on the drivetrain and I press the clutch in quickly. The clunk feels like a sudden release of load/tension in the drivetrain.

I originally suspected bad transmission or motor mounts, but after reviewing the footage below, they appear to be good (though I’m still somewhat of an amateur).

The clunk happens primarily in first gear under load when I quickly press the clutch — it feels like the drivetrain suddenly unloads. (I can slightly feel the clunk in the car) I also replicated it with the parking brake on: I let the clutch out to the bite point until it shudders, then press it back in — the clunk is audible there too.

It also occurs during rough or poorly matched shifts, especially when downshifting without perfect RPM match.

I’ve checked for engine/transmission movement during these events (see videos), and while there’s some movement, it doesn’t seem extreme — unless I’m underestimating what’s “normal.” when grabbing the drive shaft for play it seems perfectly fine, U joints seem fine, center baring doesnt seem to have excessive play.

Anyone know what this is? Will a shop be able to figure this out or will they just throw parts cannon at it?

 

When snow wheeling I often operate the truck just above stalling, in terms of rpms, to maintain traction. When pressure loads up and I feel the wheels are about to spin, or the truck is going to stall, I'll press in the clutch pedal. The release of pressure does exactly what I see and hear in your video. I think what you are experiencing is normal.

You may have excessive load on the drivetrain when you press the clutch pedal to shift into second gear. Have you experimented with how and when you shift? Can you make it shift without it doing this?

 

Unless I'm not understanding what you mean " it feels like the drivetrain suddenly unloads.".

That is because when you quickly press the clutch it suddenly unloads.

 

Yes if I do a very precise shift there is no clunk, as no difference in speed to driveshaft, but when there is much difference there is a clunk. This is my first manual so I can understand if I just don’t know what it’s suppose to sound like. It’s just a loud noise on the outside of the car and people look at the truck just from shifting. I’m I thought it was like bad transmission mounts or something as it feels like that when It clunks. But if it’s just a normal thing that’s oka, I was just wondering if other manual owners have the exact same experience.

 

Ummm I don't recall mine doing that and the noise is very noticeable. That said these manual transmissions in the 2nd gen shift like a dump truck. They aren't really smooth at all and I've done a decent amount of things to remedy issue to "some" degree.
Now I feel like tossing my phone underneath my truck and checking.

 

Ya if you haven’t noticed it, I would guess it is something abnormal I will take it into a shop to be fixed. I just hope it’s somthing they can actually diagnose and just parts cannon at it. I’m pretty disappointed my the manual, I wish it were an automatic. Thank you for the feedback!

 

The idea is to rev match and shift smoothly. An auto transmission does this, dare I say, automatically. Driving it like a race car will put undue stress on the drivetrain. At nearly 200K miles, I still love my manual - and I bought it new. I've driven dump trucks and farm trucks, a lot. The Tacoma manual is, quirky. Have some mechanical sympathy. Learn how to drive it properly. I'm not saying there's definitely no mechanical issue. I'm just saying the issue is more likely in the way you are driving it. I just replaced my cluch with a performance clutch, and I'm having to relearn how to properly drive it. That's part of the fun of a manual transmission.

I highly suggest trying to drive more smoothly than just throwing money at it.