TSB Drive Shaft Clunking

I'm having a hard time searching for this because I think everyone describes the problems a little bit differently. But it is a very common issue so I know threads exist.

I have started noticing when coming to a stop, after 1-2 seconds, a thud and single vibration is felt. Sometimes makes you look in your rearview mirror to make sure someone didn't hit you.

This is a TSB for several years of Tacomas, my question is: is it harmful? and How long do I have to fix it at Toyota's Expense? or because it's a TSB is it only covered under warranty?

I only notice it every once in a while. It will occur and then keep occurring for a few more stops then it will stop. It's never severe, just noticable. I could easily just ignore it (provided it doesn't get worse).

I have a 2013 with 48K miles.

Trying to figure out if I need to run to the dealer to get it fixed. I'm busy over the next few weeks but I also put a lot of miles on the truck and may run over 50K before I get to Toytota.

 

If your drive line is going thud... or vibrating.. then yes it's a big deal. Eventually it will damage itself over time and if not dealt with it will eventually break or fall off your truck. And when that happens... you're stuck roadside with a truck that can't drive, and more serious damages potentially when that sucker breaks loose while it's spinning at driving speeds.

Take the truck in while you're drive train is still under warranty.

A TSB isn't a recall. It's an internal memo basically that tells technicians about known issues.

 

My truck had this problem from new. A new driveshaft fixed it. Dealership said the inner core of the driveshaft had come apart or separated from the outer part of the shaft.

 

So what is actually occurring here to cause the thud? As the shaft stops spinning as you come to a stop is it catching?

Glad you were able to get it fixed. Hopefully mine can be resolved pretty quickly.

 

Sounds like axle wrap no? Thought this was a pretty common issue with Tacomas, weak leaf springs binding up and releasing tension when you come to a stop, thus the "thud" you feel like someone tapped your bumper. Used to get it pretty bad on my '99 Tacoma w/auto trans. My '04 manual never does it though.

 

Yeah I wanna say there is a tsb on it but I'm not 100% on that. Basically the two parts of the shaft are clunking together when you move from a stop and then separate when you stop again.

I was thinking axle wrap too and my u bolts were tight .

 

I remember back when I had my '99 the dealership ended up greasing the zerks on the driveshaft and it helped. I don't remember the "thud" being that frequent afterwards

 

No.There is no inner and outer part.

More than likely it is the spline jamming on the extension tube or axle wrap.

 

I'm just going by what they said. I really don't know.
What I do know is a new driveshaft fixed it.

 

What is axle wrap? Just torque on the axle from the driveshaft?

If it were to be that would putting in a Dakar leaf pack help?

 

Yes, the Dakar pack pretty much solves axle wrap. The pinion angle will always change a little under load, no matter how firm a spring pack you have - but Dakars make it unnoticeable. Axle wrap feels like the tires are slipping on take off. There's no symptom at rest.

The problem you posted in the OP sounds like the transmission though, not axle wrap. I've read many threads on those exact symptoms and the consensus was the transmission is shifting after the stop, and that's what you're feeling. I think topping off the trans fluid helped the problem for many people - the autos are often underfilled from the factory.

 

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I have a "driveshaft clunk" that comes and goes ... had it since new ... not as often now at 6,500 miles.

 

On my98 had the clunk and felt like someone tapped me, didn't always do it dealer denied it ever happened but some found out it was axle wrap.
Didn't do it to often but just excepted it. happened when I came to a stop.
My 05 did it on take off, not when I first got it2012 but later after I got frame done.
Had DS replaced (expensive) but that worked.
On the old gen2s there was no zerk fitting on the slip joint on DS.
This only happen on take offs from a full stop.

 

I went into the local stealership to convince them that I needed the TSB. I have a 2012, but has over 65k miles. I was just over the limit where they would do it for free. They tested it, test drove it, and said the carrier bearing was shot, so I would need a whole new driveshaft (for the low low cost of $1300).

To make a long story short, I ended up replacing the carrier bearing myself and all U-Joints. Issue is still there. I also get a gnarly vibe from 15-25mphs, which is also a TSB. I plan on lifting soon, so I'm going to rip everything apart when I'm under there. I am almost certain that it's axel wrap or rear end suspension related.

 

Axle wrap and clunking solved http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-lurch-stopping-started-axle-wrap-solved.html

 

I have an appointment at the stealership this weekend. I'm worried about it because its not a constant problem, just here and there. When the issue starts occurring though it happens for every stop until the truck sits overnight. Stealership pulls that shit where if they can't replicate it...

I've had my trans fluid checked and its just the right level. Could still be trans problem though. Although it feels further back.

 

Just to throw this out there, my bed has always been crooked. Drivers side is higher, and the passenger side bumber sticks out more than the drivers side. Its noticable by anyone who looks at the back of the truck.

Related, not related?

 

Very related
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-loose-bed-design-flaw-explanation.388873/

 

Lets just say the issue fits right in with the TSB for the truck. Is this problem diagnosable without being replicated?

 

I have the same issue with my truck and have had the springs replaced from Toyota. It doesn't happen all the time maybe 2 out of 10 times. It NEVER happens if I have good amount of weight in the bed or towing. So my guess is it's definitely suspension related.

Edit: it happened before and after the TSB springs.