I feel a Thud when I brake? What the heck!

99 Prerunner 2.7L Automatic. When I am doing normal city driving I feel a thud towards the end of braking. Doesnt always happen but seems to happen mostly when I do abrupt or hard braking. If I am cruising and use the brakes I dont feel it. I only feel it when I stop for stop signs or red lights. And it seems to only happen at the end of braking once I am at a complete stop. Not sure what this is but has anyone experienced this issue and how to go about fixing it? what the heck! thanks

 

Is it the transition shifting down into first from second? mine will do it and make a small thud. My dad said its done that since it was new and im at 199xxx miles but a more experienced person on this site might have a better answer.

 

Sounds like axle wrap. Watch the axle rotate in this video, at the start and around 1:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O503jIPFrUg

It's a sign of worn leafs that don't have the strength to hold the axle from rotating. When you get to a stop all that force built up from the rotation kind of lurches the vehicle in order to unwind the axle. If I understand it correctly...my truck has a similar issue. Ordered Dakar leaf packs to solve it

 

Does it clunk or whatever while shifting to drive or whatever? You might want to check your u joints in your driveline. It clunk a lot like that, didn't bother to check thinking it was axle wrap until my driveline blew up on me on the highway.

 

That's definetly tacoma axle wrap

 

Also, double check that your u-bolts are tight

 

I had the same problem a few weeks ago and I double checked all my suspention bolts and my passenger side lower shock Bolt was loose. As soon as I tightened it the thump went away.

 

Thanks for the reply! Excellent video. Yes! this is what seems like is happening to my 99 taco when i come to a complete stop. It almost feels like someone is lightly rear ending me. If i dont get this issue fixed soon will I damage anything in the long term? Thanks for the video....this is why i love this forum. Reliable answers.

 

No Problem man I've been running my truck for about three months now with it, and they're the stock springs so I'm sure it was happening long before I bought it. As others suggested I would double-check that all your suspension bolts are tight. I've heard stories of people warping the leafs so much that they break, but as long as you aren't driving it hard I don't see a reason it won't hold up for a few months until you can get it fixed.

Potential fix if you don't want to spend the money on new packs. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/108316-goodbye-axle-wrap-mod.html

 

Any other way to fix axle wrap?

 

Axle truss Add-A-Leafs may lessen the severity of it but in the long run won't fix anything

 

I did the cheap and easy "u-bolts around the leafs" fix, and no more clunk for me.

 

You can also get a clunk like that when you break a rubber bushing style trans/engine mount. Clunk right at the end of braking.

 

Thanks for the replies.