Rear Differential? Clutch? Other Problem?

Howdy.

I have a 4cylinder Tacoma 2008 with the manual transmission at 114k miles. Clutch was replaced around 60-80k. Recently I've noticed a lot of clicking / rattling / etc when I have the clutch pedal pressed in all the way and am slowing to a stop. Or if I pop the clutch out into neutral I still here this clammering clanking. I also notice some odd resistence / vibration in 3rd around 30mph and in 5th gear over 75 mph. also sometimes around 30 mph I can punch the accelerator and I here some serious cranking/dropping somewhere in the transmission or back end.

would like some assistance troubleshooting the problem i'm have from more Car Guy Types. I'm not so much a car guy, but am a good troubleshooter/problem-solver.

About 1.5 months ago I was on this forum and decided I was going to do some routine maintenance... spark plugs and rear diff oil. As far as I can tell I don't have LSD sticker but did realize tonight I did put 3 qt 80w-90 gear oil made for limited slip... also read this wouldn't hurt.

Everything was great, but this is where I get a little confused... the same day I change out the diff oil I was driving home that night and a 12"+ diameter log came falling out of the bed of a truck in oncoming traffic and hit my driver side wheel pretty good. So now I'm really mixed up about what the sounds I'm hearing could be. Did changing the differential oil cause the differential to start failing? Did hitting the log on the drivers site jam up and axel or the clutch some how? Since all these things happened the same day... which is most likely to be where I need to focus ? Could this just be a clutch failing again? This my first manual but when it failed the first time it was completely different... but I do feel the clicking on the clutch as the car is speeding down. Would I feel rear differential chatter in the clutch ?

Man. I'm freaking out. It's been 6 years of payments and now I've got two months til I finally own the damn thing and this happens. Baby is due in December and I just picked up a foreclosure I've only got 2 months to work through with limited time and budget due to current job and multiple interviews lately.

Would love to get this diagnosed properly so I don't waste da money. Also worried if it is related to the diff failing... Hoping its just clutch or axel from hitting log, but why 1.5 months from all this did symptoms present?

I type too much. As always, I appreciate the knowledge and advice of all those generous internet people.

 

Also other thoughts bouncing around my mind... Brakes? I haven't done anything with those and have had the vehicle since 21k... what about Wheel bearing? I don't know. This sucks

 

also noting its the rear wheel drive only PreRunner ... the noise has recently started sounding like a card in the bicycle spokes.

 

Does it only happen with the clutch depressed? Could be the throwout bearing, but it's hard to say based on text, video would help

 

Nope. It seems to be getting progressively worse. Today I narrowed it down further to "click click click click (gear teeth) whenever clutch is not in gear. So pedal depressed, or shifter in neutral with pedal at rest. I am trying to get a hold of local mechanic but because of the holiday haven't heard back. hoping he can take a look at it tomorrow before I keep driving this thing around and shredding it up inside.

 

Ok. So looks like I was over thinking this one. After reading more I discovered the rear u joint is cracked. Took it to a guy thats a toyata guy.... 400 quote. Now im at goodyear and because im an idiot im paying 288 to replace both which is still a bit high according other threads. 180-240 out the door seems fair market value. Because I told them bout the other guy they started me at 360... man im an idiot sometimes. Oh well.... fingers crossed its done in two hours and im along on my merry way. Fingers crossed like a jesus cross that thete will be no meor noises ... bearings etc!

 

At least you have a driveshaft to put joints in. Drive that SOB like you stole it! Try for 80 mph, next time.