1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

2016 Tacoma Rear Differential clunk from park to reverse. What would cause this?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Johnfeb94, Jul 7, 2018.

  1. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:31 PM
    #1
    Johnfeb94

    Johnfeb94 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255125
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnathan
    Vehicle:
    2016 White Tacoma SR5 L4 4x2
    Aftermarket stereo system
    My truck makes a clunking sound when shifting from park to reverse on a cold start. After it warms up it goes away and shifts normally. I took it into a shop to diagnose the noise as I originally thought it was coming from the transmission and they told me it's coming from the rear differential. What parts in the differential would cause this and would it be something I could fix on my own having not have opened up and taken apart a differential before? Would changing the fluid help?

    All input is appreciated.
     
  2. Jul 7, 2018 at 8:26 PM
    #2
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

    Joined:
    May 21, 2017
    Member:
    #219544
    Messages:
    12,121
    Gender:
    Male
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2024 Long Tundra
    Not coming from rear diff probably. Chances are high it's coming from your rear driveshaft U joint. Nothing to worry about.
    Now, you probably wanna know why it does it cold and not warmed up... the answer is simple - on cold start, your engine RPM in Park is high by design so it will warm up the engine. Higher RPM in park, shift to D or R and that higher RPM gets transferred to your driveline and makes a louder clunk because higher force. Once warmed up, lower RPM and less force when shifting so less clunk.
     
  3. Jul 7, 2018 at 9:28 PM
    #3
    Johnfeb94

    Johnfeb94 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255125
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnathan
    Vehicle:
    2016 White Tacoma SR5 L4 4x2
    Aftermarket stereo system
    Thanks! It'd be great if that's all it is.

    Here is a video of the clunk from underneath the truck:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=s8ygnv8BCHY

    Any further thoughts?
     
  4. Jul 7, 2018 at 10:34 PM
    #4
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

    Joined:
    May 21, 2017
    Member:
    #219544
    Messages:
    12,121
    Gender:
    Male
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2024 Long Tundra
    Nope. My explanation above stands. Listen to your RPM in the video. Should be about 1100 or so. Once warm, it is about 600.
     
  5. Jul 8, 2018 at 10:54 AM
    #5
    OregontoBajaCA

    OregontoBajaCA 2025 DC OR High Bread

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2017
    Member:
    #237812
    Messages:
    850
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2025 OR DC iF Max
    When new, my Tacoma transmission was clunking when shifted from Park to Reverse and also from Reverse to Drive.
    At 200 miles, I added 1 quart of transmission fluid and the clunking was gone.

    I later did the transmission level check and only a few ounces of fluid came out of the overflow.

    It has been my experience that automatic transmissions can clunk when low on fluid.

    My rear differential was about 1 quart 8 ounces low and the front dif was 7 ounces low when new.

    The transfer case was full.

    It’s a good idea to check the fluids when new.
     
    Johnfeb94[OP] and over60 like this.
  6. Jul 8, 2018 at 11:08 AM
    #6
    TacosConQueso

    TacosConQueso Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2016
    Member:
    #184650
    Messages:
    200
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Vehicle:
    1999 Sierra Beige Tacoma 4x4
    Checking fluid levels is always good idea.

    Whats going on around 0:12s of the video where the driveline jerks a couple of times? I'm by no means an expert but I would definitely look into that more to see if its normal

    I'd take that video to a mechanic at the dealership and show them, they should be able to tell you real quick if its anything to worry about or not.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2018
    Johnfeb94[OP] likes this.
  7. Jul 8, 2018 at 10:08 PM
    #7
    Johnfeb94

    Johnfeb94 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255125
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnathan
    Vehicle:
    2016 White Tacoma SR5 L4 4x2
    Aftermarket stereo system
    Thanks! Not sure. I probably will!
     
  8. Jul 8, 2018 at 10:09 PM
    #8
    Johnfeb94

    Johnfeb94 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255125
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnathan
    Vehicle:
    2016 White Tacoma SR5 L4 4x2
    Aftermarket stereo system

    My truck was about 1 quart low on transmission fluid when I got it. I'll check the differential fluid too!
     
  9. Jul 8, 2018 at 10:10 PM
    #9
    Johnfeb94

    Johnfeb94 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255125
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnathan
    Vehicle:
    2016 White Tacoma SR5 L4 4x2
    Aftermarket stereo system
    It definitely does stop clunking when the rpms are lower at idle. However, it still only will do it from park to reverse and not park to drive.
     
  10. Jul 8, 2018 at 10:54 PM
    #10
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

    Joined:
    May 21, 2017
    Member:
    #219544
    Messages:
    12,121
    Gender:
    Male
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2024 Long Tundra
    It's normal. Really. Enjoy your truck.
     
    SLO TRD likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top