Truck makes a clunk sound when downshifting

Hey all,

Lately, I’ve been experiencing an issue with my Tacoma. When I’m cruising 35-45 mph and I’m about to slow down at a stop sign or whatever, I’ll hear this weird click, jerk or clunk from under the vehicle, and I notice the RPM goes a bit higher right at the time I hear the sound. If I had to guess, it’s when the truck shifts from 4th to 3rd gear around 15-20 mph. It’s not horrible or loud, but it’s definitely something I notice and feel. I just want to have the peace of mind that it’s normal.

This Reddit post also talks about the same issue I’m having. https://www.reddit.com/r/Tacomaworld/s/gNfmsffxtT

Should I take it to the dealer?

anyone has this issue? Any thoughts?

 

Stock truck? Mods? DCLB? DCSB?

 

Lite/mild OTT tune. Stock suspension, no other mods. short bed. Sorry for leaving that out.

 

Did the truck do it prior to OTT?

 

No it didn’t. Or at least not that I remember.

 

Check u joints, and make sure spare tire isn't loose.

 

Sorry to sound dumb, but is the drive shaft supposed to move/rotate while truck is in park and e brake pulled? I crawled under and there is a bit of a play with a clunk in the drive shaft. As far as I know it shouldn’t rotate at all unless tires are off the ground and in neutral, is that accurate?

 

all normal it sounds to me. My 23 has always behaved like that. Trans in these trucks are a clunky jerky mess during speed changes/rpm changes at lower speeds. Good thing they are overbuilt.

 

That makes me feel better. But would but drive shaft have any movement when the truck is in park and e-brake pulled?

 

I take it you drive an automatic...

 

Yes, automatic.

 

The truck is just downshifting as you slow. That's why rpm's go up. Perfectly normal.

 

put a vid on youtube of the movement so we can look at it.