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Thunking--leaf springs or differential?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by billygoat, May 16, 2012.

  1. May 16, 2012 at 11:09 PM
    #1
    billygoat

    billygoat [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2012
    Member:
    #75588
    Messages:
    344
    Gender:
    Male
    American Southwest
    Vehicle:
    08 TRD Offroad 4x4
    6” Fabtech Lift, 35’s, lots o’ goodies
    Unless I let out the clutch really slowly, my '05 6spd Tacoma makes a very noticeable thunking sound/feeling. It happens any time I let out the clutch too fast (ie not really really slowly), upshifting, downshifting, taking off from a stop...it happens if I accelerate hard and then let off the gas completely also. At first I thought it was a broken motor mount or transmission mount, but they look good. The u-joints are tight. I then noticed the stock 3-leaf springs are sagging, the second leafs are bent from the clamps out, and I remembered that this truck has 124k miles and about half of those were with a motorcycle in the bed (the bumpstops are polished to a shine). So, I figured that what I'm noticing is spring wrap--these springs have definitely seen better days. However, I just crawled under the truck and tried twisting the driveshaft with it neutral and noticed a fair amount of play (see video). Is this normal? I also took a video of the play in the center/carrier bearing for the driveshaft.

    I have had the truck for less than 1k miles and put Amsoil 75w-90 in both diffs and the t-case and Amsoil GL-4 in the transmission almost as soon as I bought it. I did add about 1/4 quart of GL-4 to the rear diff because I ran out of 75w-90, but didn't think it would be a problem. At first I thought I just needed to get used to driving the truck because the clutch throw is a lot longer than what I'm used to, but the more I drive it and the more I think about it this just seems wrong. Does it seem like my springs are the problem like I originally thought, or is there too much play in my differential? I'm not new to driving stick, but the only other stick I have driven is a Jeep with double military wrap springs, a 2-inch clutch throw, and gobs of torque, so there are differences in how they drive...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVqt8QXVD4Q&feature=youtu.be

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JzgSqOnq_w&feature=channel&list=UL

    010.jpg
     
  2. May 17, 2012 at 5:06 AM
    #2
    wolftree

    wolftree Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2011
    Member:
    #64877
    Messages:
    683
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rick
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tacoma 4x4 Regular cab automatic trans,
    Rear Leaf TSB, Bilstein 5100s, extra leaf added
    I suspect it is your springs and axle wrap. Try this to help narrow it down. Get 4 each 1-1/2 X4 X1/4 steel plates and 4 each 3/8 or larger bolts, nuts and washers. Drill holes through the plates and "clamp" your springs together on the front side. This will make the spring act as one spring and be stiffer. Old drag racing trick.
     

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