'07 Tacoma Driveline Jerk

Good morning glorious members. Coming from the motorcycling world I know how great forums can be. I have purchased a 2007 Tacoma Prerunner V6 paired to a Six Speed Manual with about 72k miles. All is perfectly well on the truck except...

When engaging and disengaging the throttle while in gear (all gears) the car seems to have play in the driveline. Happens on take off as well unless I release the clutch really, really smoothly. It's not a crazy jerk but it is definitely noticeable.

I crawled under the car to inspect the transmission mount and drive shaft bushing. Both seem in order. Engine mounts are a little more difficult to examine but seem decent enough. I hand twisted the drive shaft while in gear with engine off and noticed light play. There is also some up play where the drive shaft connects to the transmission housing when pushed up.

I want to know if there is any common issues you guys experienced. I did some research and noticed a common throw out bearing issue but I have no noises, slipping, or vibration coming from the vehicle at all.

In advance, I greatly appreciate any help and I praise your combined knowledge.

 

I'd look at axle wrap. If you have a GoPro set it up to watch the pinion on takeoff, Ill bet that's where you'll find the problem.

 

X2

 

Interesting... I didn't know this was a thing and sounds much like it. The previous owner did replace the leaf springs right before selling...

 

the U-joints on these things are shit too. I replaced all mine after one exploded @ about 95k miles.

 

@Dimestore55 do you remember what you ended up using and where you picked it up by any chance?

Thanks for the input

 

I rented the ball joint removal tool from Advanced Auto and bought the u joints there. You will definitey want an impact gun for this job. I have an electric Dewalt gun that worked fine.

 

Is there a sound associated with the “driveline play”?
It’s a little easier to diagnose U-Joints with Auto Trans. Since you can shift from D to R, and crawl under and see/listen.

I know you said the leaf springs are new. Are they factory?
The factory are notorious for axle wrap, just as others have stated.
Check the U-bolts on axle, if they used the factory spec listed in the manual, it’s wrong.
It’s not 37 ft/lb. It should be 73 Ft/lb.

 

You're right. Thank you all for your input.

Got home, crawled under the truck and noticed brand spanking new U joints with Toyota stickers still on. Well someone touched it. Placed my rigid Nikon by the spare pointed at the axle, took it around the block and came back. Thing flexes like a maniac.

Its a good problem to have. Thanks again for all the help!