Drive line issue

good day All. I’m familiar mo of previous forums I’ve been on in regards the the search feature. I have search what I could and didn’t really find what I was looking for. So, if anyone knows a thread already in existence (which I’m sure there are) please let me know.
Here’s my issue(s);
2004 Tacoma PreRunner 4x2 automatic, 3.4l
When I come to a stop it feels like there’s a preload in the driveline when I remove my foot from the brake. I guess it could be called a clunk. It actually feels like the driveline raises up and when I release the brake it drops back into place. I have replaced the transmission mount and the center support baring (carrier baring) it still does it and doesn’t seem the have gotten better or worse. I’m pretty certain it common issue among my year Tacoma
I have inspected the springs and pretty loadstone it’s not axle wrap. There is zero play in any of the u-joints. I did just notice that the center nut and bolt on my trans mount had come apart together or not it still makes the sound/issue. I tightened the bold with the plastic nut on the mount and no changes.
What’s that bold and plastic nut on the tranny mount for and how tight should it be?
Thanks I’m advance for any direction or thread links in regards to my issue.
I also replaced the rear brake components (drums, shoes and hardware.)

 

Do you have a lift ?

 

U bolts tight?

 

No lift and the u-bolts do appears to be proper.
It’s a weird binding type of clunk and you can feel it and see it in the gear selector level. I drives great. It only does it when I come to a stop. I can feather the brakes when I come to a stop and it doesn’t do it. When I just stop as you normally think you should it does it. It’s almost like the driveline raises and when I take my foot off the brake it’s. Onlonger being held in place and drops down.

 

Its axle wrap. The differential twists upward (downward?) coming to a stop, and straightens out when you release pressure by taking your foot of the brakes. Mine does it. I think its due to having an automatic transmission.

 

That sucks. Springs are not cheap.

 

Yea I would love to replace mine for that reason too (not clunk but general axle wrap)....Problem is my OEM replacement are 3 leaf (2+1)...upgraded aftermarket are 4 leaf (3+1) and the ones on my truck are 5 leaf (4+1) so that tells me I have to buy the expensive 4 leaf aftermarket springs take them to a shop and add a leaf... I don't wanna know how much that all will be.

 

Definitely sounds like axle wrap, it's way more common on the auto trans Tacomas (I got it all the time with my 99 Prerunner, never with my manual 04 though).

Greasing the u-joints helps a ton, at least it did for me. I've also heard that replacing the stock leaf packs with aftermarket ones helps, too

 

At this point in time I’d like to send a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to the Toyota engineers and the fact that the 4 inch bold used to hold he sway bar bushing in place are amazingly long for he job that they do!!
Also, thanks to all who responded. I take it this is just a normal feature of my automatic trans and should raise too much concern.

 

Your rear springs are shot, I bought General Spring Heavy Duty, fixed mine.

 

Dis you get the regular or the heavy duty and did it come with new hardware?

 

I got the H Dutys, they come with the rubber bushings in the eyes, no other hardware, you might as well order the 4 large U bolts because the threads are banged up & the nuts won't come off, I just cut them off with a 90* grinder & cut-off wheel, I had to cut off 2 of the spring eye bolts too so you need the grinder handy. You can get the U bolts & nuts from Gen. Spring with your order. It's much less work to cut them off as to fight those nuts. Now these H D springs increase bed load capacity by 650 lbs & lifted my rear height 2''. but you now have a 3/4 ton + truck, mine rides really good, a little firm but good. If you want a soft ride & no lift get the G Sprng standard ones. You'll be done with axle wrap/clunk.

 

I counted the leafs in my pack and I have a 3+1 spring pack. I really appreciate all the feedback!!

 

The center bolt on the transmission mount is a failsafe. It shouldn't be cranked down tight. It is there in case the rubber fails to prevent the transmission from flying around.

What you are describing is axle wrap amplified by the poor slip joint on the drive shaft. Play in the drive shaft slip joint increases with age. The axle twisting causes this to bind and then unload when you come to a stop. Greasing the slip joint with moly grease will hide the issue for a bit, but it will come back.

 

Did you have to lift the front to compensate for the increase in the rear?

 

next time you are stopped and no one is behind you put her in reverse and left off the brake, put your foot back on the brake then into drive again. This should unload before you take off again.

 

Simply putting it in neutral may accomplish the same thing

 

AAgill, yes I installed a Rancho Quicklift kit on the front to make it level & correct, worked out great, been 2 yrs now & all is good.

 

Just lumping the brakes and it doesn’t happen. I can make it not do it. Just want to know why it does it so I can fix it.

 

Update;
After countless digging and installing I decided to replace my axle U-joints. Long story shot the cardan joint isn’t serviceable and I had to take my driveshaft to a driveline shop that chopped off the Toyota cardan joint and install a new 1310 cardan joint replacement that is serviceable. To the tune of $400. Upon first test drive after the new Driveshaft was installed none of the issues I was experiencing are there. No more thump when stopping. No more intermittent random clicking. I do still need new leaf springs but the truck is completely different in its driving.