Auto tranny issues? 2004 3.4L Tacoma 4x4 4dr with odd jerk from tranny when accelerating from 0

Hey guys!

My name's Anthony and I'm new to the world of Tacomas as of this year and I did a search for this for about 15 minutes but couldn't find anything.

I bought a 2002 Tacoma in seemingly very good condition with 238,000 miles on it. The truck is supercharged and was meticulously maintained by a certified mechanic who owned her.

With the truck on and warmed up, my truck constantly has an issue after letting off the break and pressing the gas -- it feels like there is some slack somewhere that is being tightened up and you feel a 'clunk' when hitting the gas and its like the auto tranny kicks into gear.

The guy i bought this truck from is a mechanic and he said that all Taco's in the 1st gen have it....But after searching and not finding anything, i'm a bit concerned.

Any ideas here?

 

It's axle warp.....I'm sure your transmission is just fine.

Most tacoma drivers fix it by adding a leaf or getting new leaf springs. My truck has it as well, when its loaded the thumping disappears.

 

Interesting thanks. I'll look into it and read more about what causes it etc.

Is it more common on the 1st gen trucks? I'd assume they would have fixed it in the newer models, no?

 

From what I read it's a problem with truck.... budbuilt has a traction bar that is suppose to eliminate it. I think there are other cheaper alternative for a traction bar, rough country may have one for 2 bills....

http://www.budbuilt.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=23&Itemid=170

It's on my list of things to buy, if my new leaf springs doesn't fix it. (bought them monts ago haven't installed yet). After 11 months hearing the thump I kind of have forgotten about it.

 

yeah i hear ya...its actually right after the brake pedal is released for me...before hitting the accelerator. Is that the same symptom for you?

 

yup, exactly. or right before I come to a full stop. Or sometimes it doesn't happen at all, especially if I come to a slow gradual stop.

There is a thread somewhere here how to check if it's axle warp.....

 

I bought a 2004 3.4 2 months ago with the same problem. After looking in th forums for a while I decided to try one of th fixes. A pair of u-bolts(one on each side) solved 99% of the problem. Costed me only 15 dollars from auto zone.

 

When I give my truck a little gas 45-50 mph the whole rear end of my truck feels like it falls behind and shakes bad to about 55 mph. Is that axel wrap?

 

Cheap easy option... with a grease gun, lube the slip yolk. It's the at the end of the drive shaft just before the differential (not sure thats the right name.) I had an "thunk" after I came to a stop and this fixed it.

 

or if you want, put an add a leaf on there. it will lift your rear end a but but can also get rid of axle wrap.

but i think @roadeter should elaborate on his solution instead since it's cheaper

 

Here's one, easy and cheap remedy. Although I'm pretty sure you can get by with just doing the u-bolt trick Roadeater mentioned. Just install them in front of the axle as described here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/goodbye-axle-wrap-mod.108316/

 

You can try this .... if your leaf springs are still good. I didn't go this route as my leaf springs are flexing the wrong way now....

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/6...-2015/198266-sharing-wealth-traction-mod.html