Driveshaft clunk - changing from Park to Drive or Reverse

2002 2wd 4door automatic doublecab 5vz-fe 3.4L v6 prerunner

Extremely loud clunk when changing from Park to Drive, or Drive to Reverse or vice versa. Vehicle drives perfectly fine except when letting off the gas (coasting) and accelerating will get the same clunk.

With transmission in neutral, the driveshaft will turn about 1/4 turn before engaging the rear. Seems like it the driveshaft is loading up and causing a lot of noise due to the rear end being loose.

All u-joints are greased and appear fine. I've greased the rear slip yoke and no change. The carrier bearing appears fine. The transmission and motor mounts appear fine also.

I'm thinking the rear is too lose which is causing this issue or am I way off base here? Need some help!


Videos added on Oct 6, 2023 at 1800 Eastern

Driveshaft movement (about 90 degrees) when parked and in neutral
https://youtu.be/-36b3aI0xug


Carrier bearing movement (which I believe is a normal amount of movement)
https://youtu.be/KatJkvdJRpg


Vehicle is stationary and driver switches between Reverse and Drive several times, and pauses in Neutral for about 5-6s during the gear transition. No sounds/clunk is made during this maneuver due to the pause while in Neutral.
https://youtu.be/7SPWokpYXwM

Vehicle is stationary and driver switches between Reverse and Drive several times, and pauses in Neutral for 1s during the gear transition. A loud clunking sound is made during this maneuver. On occasion, depending on the sequence, the sound is even louder than the posted video.
https://youtu.be/uwnZMSPtB1E

 

What you're hearing is the rotational force being applied to the drive shaft, and it rapidly using that 1/4 turn of play. 1/4 of a turn is a lot. To properly check u joints you gotta pull the drive shaft out. But there is a good chance something is outta spec within the 3rd member / diff if you've got that much play.

 

Thank you for weighing in. I will pull the driveshaft and check all the u joints.

 

Update: I greased the slip yoke and changed out the u joints. No change in the clunk noise from changing from Park to Drive. Thinking its the 3rd member unless someone else has some insight. Thanks.

 

Can u have a buddy shift while you’re under truck?
To observe/hear klunk?

my initial guess was carrier bearing but u stated was fine

 

Carrier bearing can appear fine.
Need to get under there and grab onto the drive shaft with both hands and give it a good shake.
Shouldn't be any play in it.

 

Yeah, I ordered a carrier bearing earlier today. It's the last thing left so figured I'd replace it! Will let you know know if it does the trick.

 

Watching this as I have the same issue. Keep us updated!

 

My buddy's does this too. Please let us know if you find the cause. I hope it's a cheap fix!

 

Same! I read in another thread somewhere that it was a 3rd member.

 

This thread right?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-clucking.801560/unread

 

Yup. That be the thread.

 

OP plz let us know!!!!

 

The Spicer/Dana carrier bearing arrived this week and I have not installed it yet. I've been doing a ton of reading about the subject, probably too much reading, borderline obsessed with figuring this thing out. I like a good puzzle but this mystery is starting to get to me. Telling you'all something that you already know ... there are multiple root causes of the issue, such as u joints (by far the most common reason), too much rear backlash (how much is too much, nobody seems to know!), slip joint dry/noisy, carrier bearing, trans mount, motor mount(s), trans fluid low, issue where the trans meets together after the carrier bearing (there are splines where it is connected), loose u bolts holding leaf springs. I'm probably missing a few items, but as you can see there are a ton of variables involved. It's not a one size, fix all so what may work for one person may not work for another. I'm starting with the easier items first and progressing up the chain of potential fixes (from least $$ to most $$).

I did some experimentation this week and if I put the truck in neutral for about 5s or so before changing to reverse or drive, it rarely clunks/pings/makes noise. I've tried this on multiple occasions and it holds true for me. I watch the driveshaft during this exercise and when it goes in neutral, the slack in the driveshaft appears to be removed which makes me believe the backlash in my 3rd member is causing this issue.

I'm going to tear apart my driveshaft *again* this weekend and see if I can determine if anything else is impacting my situation. I dont mind getting my 3rd member rebuilt and/or buying a new driveshaft if I knew it would definitely fix my issue once and for all but at this point I'm not absolutely certain of the root cause.

 

Did you ever check for play in the d.s. at the carrier?
I see you mentioned mounts.
Carrier bearing, motor/tranny mounts and ujoints seem to be most common causes.
Similar symptoms in my '01 Taco and it was the carrier.
I had a '91 Honda Prelude a long time ago and it was a broken motor mount

 

For my carrier bearing, it goes up/down a little bit (0.25" or less) and does not have any play horizontally. I truly believe my carrier is fine but I bought a new one b/c my current one appears original (135k) and I'm trying to rule things out. I also dont have any driveline vibes at 80+.

I looked at my transmission mounts and motor mounts and they do not appear to be my issue. Also looked at them when the d/s noise is being made.

I do plan on separating my driveshaft at the carrier bearing and inspecting the splines. Also, checking the amount of torque on the nut holding the d/s together.

 

You sure it’s not normal slack being taken up?

 

Could axle wrap be added to the list of potential causes?

 

I need to do a video. It is such a loud noise that something is not right. It's downright embarrassing!